To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid based on the student's estimated family contribution. Students should aim to complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of April 15th each year. After submitting the FAFSA, students will receive a Student Aid Report which includes their estimated family contribution used to determine their financial aid eligibility and award amounts.

1. Presented by: Boni Cole Manager, Financial Aid Processing Center Houston Community College

2. How do I apply for financial aid? To apply for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov which is used to determine a student’s need for federal, state, and institutional aid.

3. What is a PIN? A PIN is a 4-digit number used to identify the student as someone who has the right to access their personal information on Federal Student Aid websites. If a student or their parent wants to sign the FAFSA electronically, they will need to have their own PIN number. To apply for a PIN, go to www.pin.ed.gov

4. What is the Priority Deadline? The priority deadline for completing the FAFSA is April 15 th of each year, however, if the student misses the priority deadline their financial aid will still be processed. In the meantime, the student may need to make other arrangements to pay for your classes. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for 2010-2011 is June 30, 2011 Students must complete a FAFSA every year to be considered for financial aid FAFSA is available January 1 st of each year

5. What is a Student Aid Report (SAR)? The document received by the student after their FAFSA is processed. The SAR will contain the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which measures the family’s financial strength and is used to determine the student’s eligibility for federal student aid.

6. Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) The EFC is the same for any school the student may attend It is not necessary to submit the SAR to the college The college receives SAR electronically and uses this number to determine how much financial aid the student is eligible to receive based on the schools cost of attendance (COA)

7. Cost of Attendance Budget The cost of attendance for a student is an estimate of that student’s educational expenses for the period of enrollment. Usually includes: Tuition/ fees Books/supplies Transportation Room and Board Personal Expenses Miscellaneous Expenses

8. Cost of Attendance VS EFC Example: HCC Cost of Attendance Budget: $ 16,000 Estimated Family Contribution: $ 2,000 Total ‘NEED’ : $ 14,000 **The student may not receive aid exceeding the Cost of Attendance**

9. Am I eligible if I am not a U.S Citizen? Yes, but the student must meet one of the following criteria to be considered an eligible non-citizen: Permanent resident with an Alien Registration Card (I-551 ) Conditional permanent resident (I551- C) Arrival Departure Record (I-94) from INS Refugee Asylum granted Parolee Cuban-Haitian entrant

10. What is my Financial Aid Status? If the student’s file is incomplete, the student will receive an email notifying them of the missing documents Dear Financial Aid Applicant: Thank you for your interest in Houston Community College’s financial aid programs. We have received your 2009-2010 Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) electronically. If you wish to have your financial aid processed for the Fall 2009, Spring 2010, and/or Summer 2010, you may be required to submit one or more of the following to your financial aid office: signed copies of your 2008 taxes. (All schedules must be attached); signed copies of your spouse’s 2008 taxes. (All schedules must be attached); signed copies of your parent’s 2008 taxes. (All schedules must be attached); a copy of your/your parent and/or your spouse 2008 W-2 form; a completed and signed verification worksheet; a copy of your Citizenship Certificate/INS Card and/or Social Security Card; proof of Selective Service Registration; proof of your parent’s social security; a low income statement high school diploma; evaluated degree plan with transfer hours from previous institutions; complete an admissions application.

11. What is the status of my Award? If everything is submitted before the priority deadline, the student’s financial aid award will be processed by July 15, 2010. After the student’s file is processed and the eligibility determined, they will be sent an Electronic Financial Aid Notification (EFAN) via their student email account.

12. Types of Financial Aid Grants – State/ Federal Scholarships – Private/Institution Work Study Loans: must be repaid HCC does not process loans during the summer terms.

13. How Many Credit Hours Do I Have to take? Full Time- 12 or more credit hours ¾ Time - 9-11 credit hours ½ Time - 6-8 credit hours Less than ½ Time- 5 or less credit hours The financial aid eligibility is based on the number of credit hours a student is enrolled, the cost of attendance (COA), and the estimated family contribution (EFC)

14. Change in Enrollment If the student changes their enrollment plans, they need to contact the Financial Aid Office IMMEDIATELY!! FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY IS AFFECTED BY THE CHANGES STUDENTS MAKE IN ENROLLMENT

15. How do I purchase books? For 2010-2011, after the student’s financial aid has been posted to their student account as “ Anticipated Aid ” (minus tuition/fees ), the student will be able to use the remaining credit balance at the bookstore to purchase books and supplies (10 days before classes begin)

16. When do I receive a refund? Students are able to use their credit balance on their account until two days after the Official Date of Record for Second Start The financial aid office and bookstore begin to reconcile their awards and accounts which takes approximately one week The Bursar’s office then runs a process to post the refunds to the student’s eagle card or direct deposit account

17. 2010-2011 Financial Aid Forms Verification Worksheet (Dependent) Verification Worksheet (Independent) Low Income Worksheet Special Circumstances Selective Services Registration Statement Request for Change in Dependency Status Short-Term Loan TEACH Grant Application

18. Contact Us: HCC Financial Aid Offices Central College Financial Aid Officer: Cynthia Harris Holman 713-718-6100 Willie Lee Gay 713-718-6654 Coleman College 713-718-7630 Fin Aid Associate: CharleneStrong finaid.central@hccs.edu Northeast College Financial Aid Officer: Consuelo Gonzalez Northline Mall 713-718-8080 Northeast College 713-718-8309 finaid.northeast@hccs.edu Southeast College Financial Aid Officer: Juanita Trevino Eastside Campus 713-718-7030 [email_address] Southwest College Financial Aid Officer: Dr. Wilma Perkins Stafford Campus 713-718-7785 West Loop 713-718-7722 713-718-7727 Alief Campus 713-718-6027 finaid.southwest@hccs.edu Northwest College Financial Aid Officer: Elizabeth Soles Katy Campus 713-718-5901 Spring Branch 713-718-5692 [email_address]

19. Who to Contact: Private Scholarships TEACH Grant Teacher Aid Exemption Americorp Early High School Scholarship Consortiums Victoria Thomas [email_address] Prentice Armstead [email_address] Leticia Gallegos [email_address] Cargnegie Bingham [email_address] Ludivina Frayre [email_address] Vicky Bradley [email_address]