Financial Aid

Application Process

The Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 financial aid application process begins January 1, 2005. Federal, State and Institutional aid is available to help eligible students pay for college even if you, or your family, cannot afford to. The most important thing to remember is you must apply, and the earlier the better! Be aware that applications are considered incomplete until all required documents are submitted. If your application is selected for review, in a process called “verification”, information reported on FAFSA must be verified by the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office. See “What is Verification?” on reverse if this sheet.

How To Apply

Complete the 2005-2006 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. If you were in college in 2004-2005, you should receive a Renewal FAFSA in the mail. Complete either form and mail to the processor (4 week response time) or, transmit the application electronically using a computer from your home computer, at www.fafsa.ed.gov (15 day response time). Provide your e-mail address to receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) on the web. Do not mail tax forms or statements to the processor with your FAFSA. You may receive aid from only one college for the same period of enrollment.

Helpful Hints

• Enter name and Social Security Number (SSN) exactly as it appears on your Social Security Card.
• When you are unsure about a question on the FAFSA read the instruction booklet.
• Use a pen with black ink, or a #2 pencil.
• Write a School Code from below on page 6 of the FAFSA for the ACCD College you plan to attend. San Antonio College School Code.…..009163
• Federal Student Aid Information Center: 1-800-433-3243

More questions? Click HERE to go to the SAC Student Financial Services.

Phone: (210) 733-2150 or 2151 or 2152
Toll free number: 1-800-944-7575 ext. 2150 or 2151 or 2152 (for students living outside San Antonio metro area)

Other Information

FAFSA forms are available at the SFS Office at any college

Check Your Application Status via the internet

• Click – Login to Student Services
  
  Enter your SSN as the ID# and your PIN (4 digits), is month and year of birth (MMYY). Call (210) 733-2583 for help with PIN number and login.
  
• Click - Personal Financial Aid Information
  Select 2008 to view Spring 2008 - Summer 2008. Select award year 2008 to view Fall 2007 - Summer 2008
• Click - Accept Awards
  Select “ACCEPT” or “decline” aid offered then select the “SUBMIT” button to record your selection.
• Click - Student Requirements
  To check if documents are needed for file completion
• Click - Registration and Schedules
  Select “ACCOUNT SUMMARY” and the “TERM” to view charges and financial aid paid (credits) to your account for that term.

Click HERE to check your application status.

Click HERE to go to the SAC Student Financial Services.

Phone: (210) 733-2150 or 2151 or 2152
Toll free number: 1-800-944-7575 ext. 2150 or 2151 or 2152 (for students living outside San Antonio metro area)

What Happens Next

Applications are processed within 2-4 weeks after FAFSA data received. We do not mail “status” letters so check your application status on line frequently. Inform the admissions office of changes to your mailing address. Applications are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Gift aid may not exceed 80% of a dependent students’ unmet need (50% if independent) subject to the availability of funds. Late applications are not processed before classes begin. Aid you are eligible to receive will be paid during the semester if you remain enrolled.

Withdrawing from Courses

Course withdrawals impact your financial aid eligibility negatively. Eligibility is based on enrollment as of census date. If enrollment is reduced before census you may owe all or part of any aid received back to the program. The amount owed is charged back to your account immediately. College policy for outstanding balances will then apply. Withdrawal from all courses before sixty (60%) percent of the semester elapses may also result in you owing funds back to an aid program. Funds owed must be paid within 45 days of notice. Students who do not pay by the 45th day are reported to the Department of Education as having defaulted on a federal grant or loan. Arrangements for payment must then be made with the Department of Education. Students who default and/or owe financial aid funds are not eligible for additional aid until the default is cleared and the debt paid in full.

What is Verification?

If you are selected for Verification, the federal regulations require colleges to check the accuracy of the information you gave on your FAFSA. As such, it is critical you keep tax forms, including your and/or parents’ (if applicable), the worksheets in the FAFSA instruction book, and other pertinent financial information. If you cannot or do not provide these documents to the college, we cannot process your application for aid. Should you receive Federal student aid based on falsified data, you will have to pay it back. You may also be fined up to $10,000, sent to prison, or both.

Allow 4-6 weeks processing time once you submit all documents requested. Submit the following documents if you are selected for Verification:

• 2007-2008 Verification Worksheet -
  Dependent Student OR Independent Student
• Income Tax Forms -A signed copy of your Income Tax
  Income Tax forms, including all supplemental forms attached and W-2(s), as submitted to the IRS.
• Dependent Students – A signed copy of your parent’s tax forms. Write the student’s name and SSN at the top of your parent(s) tax form.
• Independent Students – A signed copy of spouse’s tax forms, if applicable.
• Non-Tax Filers - If you and/or your parent(s) did not or will not file a federal tax return, complete the appropriate section of the Verification Worksheet.
• Other– If you, your parents, and/or spouse received child support, untaxed social security benefits, TANF, or any other type of untaxed income(s) or benefit(s) of last tax year. You must submit appropriate documentation verifying amounts received. You may also be required to submit other documents as required by the SFS Office.

Academic Progress Requirement

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and complete 65% of all course work attempted at every college attended. Students must also complete the academic program before reaching 99 attempted hours. You may obtain a copy of this policy at the SFS office. Discuss any questions you have about the policy with an Advisor.