Financial Aid Overview

Financial Aid is money that helps students with financial need pay for the costs of going to college, such as tuition, fees, books, housing, food, transportation and personal items. It comes from several sources: the Federal and State governments, lending institutions (e.g. banks), and sometimes the College itself. Aid is available as grants (awards that need not be repaid), loans (awards that must be repaid after you stop attending college), scholarships and part-time employment (work-study). Students who are eligible for aid are generally offered a combination of grants and work-study. Loans are considered a source of last resort.

To determine whether or not you are eligible for financial aid, YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR IT -- by completing the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at the web address, www.fafsa.ed.gov. It may be submitted to the processing center as early as January 1 for the following school year.

Some schools have priority filing dates and/or deadlines for submitting the FAFSA. You should contact each school you are considering attending to learn this information and to request the additional forms they require. Even if "your" school doesn't have a deadline, you should complete the forms early since aid is usually offered on a first come - first served basis.

The Financial Aid Office needs to know whether you are dependent or independent which is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, your age, marital status, veterans status, if you are an orphan, former foster youth or if you have legal dependents.

Being dependent does not necessarily mean that you may not receive financial aid; it means that your eligibility is based on you AND your parent's financial situation which takes into consideration such items as income, assets, age, family size, number in college, etc.

The processed FAFSA report (SAR) states the amount your family and/or you can contribute towards your education, regardless of what college you attend. For example, if it is determined that you can contribute $2,000 and you attend a college of which the cost of education is $4,500, you would have a need for $2,500 of financial aid. If you attend a college that costs $12,000, you would need $10,000.

Each financial aid office has its own set of rules and procedures. Consequently in order that you know exactly what is required of you, it is very important that throughout the entire application process you work closely with the office of the school you plan to attend.

In compliance with Federal Regulations, a detailed Financial Aid Consumer Information pamphlet is available in the Financial Aid Office.

To obtain additional information, send an email to a Columbia College Financial Aid Technician, or call 209.588.5105.