Is it better to apply for your FAFSA online or by paper?
The quickest way for WNCC to receive your information is if you fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online.
The online application is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Applying at this Web site is FREE. Other online sites may want to charge you to apply.
You can apply for a pin number online at www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your U.S. Department of Education records online. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records. You should NEVER give your PIN to anyone, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.
What is a Student Aid Report (SAR) and why was I sent one?
Your Student Aid Report (SAR) is the Department of Education’s way of telling you they received your FAFSA. It is important that you read your SAR to determine if mistakes were made on your FAFSA. If your SAR indicates you made an error, you will need to make corrections online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your SAR will also let you know your EFC
Your EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, is the result of calculations from the financial information you enter on your FAFSA. The Federal Philosophy for determining eligibility for financial aid is that the student and his/her family bears the primary responsibility of paying for college costs and federal financial aid is intended to supplement, not replace, family resources. The EFC considers taxable and non-taxable income, asset equity, family size, age of parents, number in college and has built-in allowances for taxes and living expenses. The EFC is not a bill or an amount you or your parents have to come up with to attend school, it is measure of your family's financial strength and an estimation of what you might be able to contribute to your educational costs. Pell grants are awarded based on your EFC; an EFC of $4110 or below is considered Pell eligible.
I sent in my FAFSA more than four weeks ago, but I haven’t heard anything. What should I do?
If you haven’t received a Student Aid Report (SAR), call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (toll free) or 1-319-337-5665. You must provide them with your Social Security number and date of birth as verification.
You can also write to: Federal Student Aid Programs, PO Box 4038, Washington, D.C., 52243-4038 to find out whether your FAFSA has been processed or to request a duplicate copy of your SAR.
How do I qualify for federal, state and institutional aid?
Filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will not only calculate your eligibility for federal Pell Grants, it will also consider you for Federal Work Study (based on interest indicated on the FAFSA), and Stafford loans (based on interest indicated on the FAFSA). State aid is awarded institutionally, but is based on your FAFSA information. Institutional scholarships are not tied to the FAFSA, but are based on your scholarship application, although evaluating your financial circumstances may be necessary to determine eligibility for some need-based scholarships.
The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2007-2008 academic year is $4,310. The amount you receive, however, depends not only on your financial need, but also on your status as a full-time or part-time student each semester as well as general eligibility requirements.
I probably will not qualify for aid, should I apply anyway?
Definitely. Many families mistakenly think they do not qualify for aid. The only way to know for sure if you qualify or not is to apply. You may be eligible for Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loans, but both require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be completed. Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) also rely of FAFSA information and are available regardless of need. In addition, many scholarships are merit-based (academics, talent, leadership or skill) and do not rely on FAFSA information for awarding.
Why is the deadline for applying for aid so early in the year?
Funding is often limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis only. It is important to meet our March 1 priority deadline each year to be considered for supplemental grants, state grants and scholarship funds. Missing deadlines can jeopardize your opportunity for aid.
The need analysis process for financial aid uses the family's income and tax information from the most recent tax year to judge your eligibility for need-based financial aid during the upcoming academic year (the award year). Since the tax year ends December 31, you cannot submit a financial aid application until January 1. If you submit an application before that date, it will be rejected.
Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?
Yes. Most financial aid is contingent upon reapplication every academic year. Because your financial circumstances may change from year to year, you may be eligible for more or less aid. After your first year, you can do a renewal application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, which contains information from your previous year’s FAFSA. You must also maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, such as earning a minimum number of credits each semester and achieving a minimum GPA.
Do students receive the same amount of aid every year?
Not necessarily. You must reapply because eligibility is re-evaluated annually. Based on your most current financial information, the actual aid award may change. Aid will remain about the same if your family financial situation remains about the same; the number of family members in the household and in college remains the same; your application meets the deadline dates; and you are making satisfactory academic progress. Scholarships may be renewable if you meet eligibility requirements, but you may have to request a renewal or resubmit an application. Refer to the directions and criteria for each scholarship to which you are applying.
In order to receive financial aid, a student must be making satisfactory progress toward completion of a diploma, certificate, or degree. Academic progress is reviewed at the time awards are made, and again at the end of each fall, spring and summer semester. The WNCC financial aid requirements outlined here are designed to comply with federal regulations.
Yes. To qualify for federal financial aid, you must have a high school diploma or GED; be enrolled in an approved program at WNCC for the purpose of obtaining a diploma, certificate or degree; be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; have a Social Security Number; be making satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a diploma, certificate, or degree; certify that financial aid funds will be used only for educational purposes; not be in default of a federal student loan; not owe a repayment of a federal grant; and be registered with Selective Service, if required.
I want to fill out my FAFSA for 2007-2008 but my parents and I have not yet completed our 2006 taxes. What do I do?
You can estimate your tax amount either by using last year's tax information or by estimating your income using your most recent pay stub. You must update your FAFSA with your actual 2006 tax information when it is complete. Note that this may result in a revision of your awards.
If my parents do not claim me on their taxes, can I be independent on the FAFSA and not provide their income?
According to the Department of Education, you are considered independent and therefore do not have to use your parent(s) tax returns for the FAFSA if you can answer Yes to one or more of the following questions:
Were you born before January 1, 1984 (for the 2007-2008 FAFSA)?
Are you working on a master's or doctoral degree?
Are you married?
Do you have children or other dependents for whom you provide more than 50% of financial support ?
Are both your parents deceased or were you a ward of the court until age 18?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
If you answered No to all the above questions, then you are considered dependent and must use your parent(s) tax returns on your FAFSA.
If my parents are divorced, whose income do I provide?
The parent you lived with most is the parent whose financial information you will need to provide on your FAFSA. If you lived equal time with both parents, then use the financial info of whichever parent provides for more than 50% of your financial support. If that parent is remarried, you will need to include the step-parent's information as well.
My parents had a dual income when they filed their taxes, but now one of my parents is unemployed. What do I do?
You will need to use both parent's 2006 financial information on the 2007-2008 FAFSA, but will want to contact WNCC's Financial Aid Office at 635-6011 or 1-800-348-4435 to alert us of the change in circumstances so we can advise you as to what to do next. WNCC realizes that family situations are dynamic and unexpected events can adversely affect a familys ability to meet educational costs. We will work with you individually to help meet your needs.
If I live with my grandparents/uncle/aunt/sister, do I need to put their income on the FAFSA?
The only people whose information you need to include on the FAFSA are your parents. If you do not have contact with your parents, you should contact WNCC’s Financial Aid Office at 635-6011 or 1-800-348-4435, to discuss your options.
Pell grants, other grants and scholarships are applied to your student account directly if you are registered for the required number of credit hours to qualify for your aid, you are not on suspension, and you are enrolled in an approved program of study. If your financial aid funds exceed your direct WNCC charges, the remaining amount will be available to you in the form of a check in the Business Office in Scottsbluff or at the Sidney or Alliance centers as indicated in your WNCC profile. For questions about your account or refund, please contact the Business Office.
Students who have received award letters from the Financial Aid Office by the start of the each semester AND who meet all other eligibility requirements should have checks available the end of the second week of the semester. Specific dates will be posted online and throughout WNCC’s sites as they become available.
Federal Work Study is an employment program funded by the federal government and WNCC. It provides students with part-time jobs to help meet the cost of education. Jobs pay at least minimum wage ($5.15 an hour and generally average 8-15 hours per week. Advantages of this program include:
• A variety of jobs are available, with some involving community service, which can be included on your scholarship applications and resumés,
• Federal Work Study income does not affect your financial aid eligibility for next year,
• You gain valuable work experience, and
• You can avoid student loan debt by working to pay for your education.
The Financial Aid Office does not place you into specific positions. It is up to you to check on job availability and to complete paperwork. Even if you’ve previously had a work study job, you will need to complete a new contract before beginning work.
New employees will need to provide identification for completion of the I-9 form. You are not allowed to work during your scheduled class times. You must submit your time worked through MyWNCC Portal and have it approved by a supervisor to receive your paycheck.
You are paid twice a month for the previous two weeks. Paychecks may be picked up in the Business Office or other location indicated on your profile. Check here for employment guidelines and manuals.
The money you earn from Federal Work Study is generally subject to federal and state income tax, but exempt from FICA taxes (provided you are enrolled full time and work less than half time). Work-study earnings for the calendar year should be included in the totals for adjusted gross income (AGI) and on Worksheet C on the FAFSA. Work-study earnings should only be included in Worksheet C when they represent financial aid to the student, since the answer to this question is used as an exclusion from taxed income. The student should also be careful to report amounts based on the calendar year, not the school year.
Are my parents responsible for paying back my student loans?
No. Parents are only responsible for your educational loans if you are under 18 and they were required to co-sign for you to get the loan. Parents are only obligated to repay the Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).
Apply online for the general WNCC scholarship. The priority deadline for scholarship applications each year is March 1, although if there is funding left, we will open the application process back up for spring and summer sessions. Watch for postings online, around campus and in the Pit area in the main building for postings. Also watch these areas for listings of outside scholarships that may apply to you and your specific degree. Check Resources for other areas you can research for funding sources.
I found a company who will guarantee me a scholarship for a fee. Should I apply?
No. Beware of any company, no matter how reputable sounding, that wants to charge you to find scholarships for you. Be cautious about anything that wants you to pay a fee, has a residential or box number address, is unsolicited, or has undo hype or pressure to participate. Always check for guarantees and check with the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission or the U.S. Department of Education to research the company’s background. Follow your own ethical principles and follow the general rule that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t get scammed.
Free information and assistance is available to you through the Financial Aid Office—always check with us first before getting involved in anything that could cost you money you could be applying to your educational costs. Click here for other scholarship scam tips: www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml.
Are there other ways I can get funding other than through the FAFSA or scholarships?
Yes. WNCC offers Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound and Your Educational Success (Y.E.S.) programs through its TRiO programs. Other commonly used resources in our area are Workforce Development,Vocational Rehabilitation, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Also, check out our Resources guide for online sources of information.
I received an outside scholarship. Should I report it to the financial aid office?
Yes. If you are receiving any kind of financial aid from WNCC or government sources, you must report additional aid to the Financial Aid Office. Your awards may need to be adjusted because of these supplementary funds, but this can be beneficial in reducing your loan burden.
How do my veterans benefits affect my federal student aid?
Veterans can receive both Montgomery GI Bill benefits and federal student aid (depending on eligibility as determined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Veteran's education benefits are recorded on the FAFSA as resources, but NOT as income, and are not used in calculating a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC). A student's Chapter 30 benefits are not considered a resource and are not counted against most need-based aid. Therefore, these veterans may be eligible for Pell grant and subsidized loans, depending on other eligibility requirements. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.
I’m thinking about applying to be a Resident Assistant (RA). If I am selected, what will the impact be on my financial aid?
Resident Assistants receive a remission for single room and meal plan, which is applied directly to your account. Applicants are selected based on their application for the position, two references (one from a current RA and one from a WNCC coach/faculty/staff), and personal interview. See Campus Life for more residence hall information. This can significantly reduce your educational costs and reduce your potential loan debt.
Are there any programs that provide student financial assistance to homeschooled students?
Homeschooled students are eligible for federal student aid for college if they have “completed a secondary school education in a home school setting that is treated as a home school or private school under State law” (Section 484(d)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965). Students who do not meet the requirements of state law must complete a GED exam or an ability-to-benefit test before receiving federal aid. For additional information, see Federal Requirements for Homeschoolers Seeking College Admission and Financial Aid, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), May 2003.
Homeschooled students are encouraged to fill out WNCC’s scholarship application and are eligible for institutional aid dependent on individual scholarship requirements. The Home School Foundation, www.homeschoolfoundation.org/scholarships.asp, is one of few organizations with scholarships targeted directly at homeshooled students.
Why can't my parents/spouse talk to you about my financial aid?
Because of FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (34 CFR Part 99), we cannot disclose any information about your financial aid without your permission.
If youd like to have a parent/spouse have access to your records, you must fill out an authorization for release of information, sign and date it, and return it to the Financial Aid Office.
Is your address correct with us? Make sure you have your mailing address current with us. You can go online and update your address through MyWNCC Portal, or you can call (308-635-6104) or come into the Student Services Office to make the change.
