Federal student aid is financial assistance given by the federal government to students who demonstrate financial need and who are enrolled in an eligible program as a regular student at a school participating in the Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs.
The three primary types of federal student aid are grants, loans, and part-time employment opportunities.
Federal aid covers school expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books, school supplies, and transportation.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Using the Web version is faster and costly mistakes are avoided due to a built-in editor. By entering SFSC’s school code 001522, we will be allowed to receive your information from central processor within three weeks from the date you file online.
Yes, you must apply every year! The priority date for SFSC is March 15 each year. The state aid deadline date for Florida is May 15 each year. The FAFSA application is available after Oct. 1 each year.
Step Six of the FAFSA form asks which colleges you want to receive your FAFSA information. If SFSC is your choice, enter SFSC Federal School Code of 001522.
If you are not able to answer yes in Step Three of the FAFSA, you are considered a dependent student and must report your parents’ income and assets as well as your own information on the FAFSA. Federal student aid programs are based on the principle that students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) are considered the primary source of support for postsecondary education. Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on the tax form does not determine dependency status.
No. As an independent student, you only need to report your income and assets (and those of your spouse, if married). Remember: if you are married, your tax filing status is either married filing jointly or married filing separately.
Student’s general eligibility criteria:
- Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in eligible program of study
- Must be pursuing degree, certificate, or other recognized credential
- Must be U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Must have a valid Social Security number (SSN)
- Must not owe an overpayment of federal grant or loan funds
- Must not be in default on a federal or state student loan
- Must be making satisfactory academic progress (as defined by school)
Federal Methodology is the formula created and used by Congress to determine the family Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on the information you report on the FAFSA. The EFC number is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. To be eligible for the Pell Grant, your EFC must be below a certain number, which may vary from year to year. Your EFC will appear on your Student Aid Report (SAR) or your Electronic Student Aid Report (ESAR).
The FSA ID/Password is an electronic access code number that serves as your identifier and signature. You can create this at the Create a New FSA ID/Password Web page.
With your FSA ID/Password, you are able to:
- Apply for federal student aid online by completing the FAFSA.
- Sign your application electronically. If you’re a dependent student and your parents have a FSA ID/Password, they can sign the application electronically. Signing the application electronically gets your results faster.
- Make corrections to your FAFSA.
- Access and make corrections to your Student Aid Report.
- Access all your federal student aid records online, including any federal student loan information.
The Federal Processor randomly selects approximately 35 percent of all applicants for the process called VERIFICATION every year. If you are selected for this process, you must immediately submit all requested documentation to the SFSC Financial Aid Office. This will allow for the processing of your file in time for the specified priority date requirements.
Any excess financial aid funds (after tuition, fees, and books have been deducted) will be disbursed to you within 30 days after the “drop and add” period for each term. After the initial distribution, all checks will be issued as they become available from the SFSC Business Office.
No. If you are enrolled at more than one school in the same term, you can only receive federal aid at the school where you are considered degree-seeking.
You can receive federal student aid at one school one term and at another school the next term as long as it is within the same academic year contingent upon you being degree-seeking meeting that school’s eligibility requirement for federal aid.
Yes! The Financial Aid Office office is required to monitor a student’s academic performance, check the completion of hours, and make sure that student stays on track to complete his or her degree within a certain time frame. Students are encouraged to become familiar with SFSC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies. If you have SAP concerns, consult the Financial Aid Office for counseling.
