In order to apply for Federal and State financial aid, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) needs to be completed. We do not require any additional applications! Financial aid awards are not renewed automatically. The FAFSA must be completed every academic year.
| IMPORTANT: The Federal Student Aid Office released a completely new FAFSA for 2024-2025 school year. Please visit the FAFSA support website to learn about the changes and how they affect new and returning applicants: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support |
Which FAFSA Should You Complete?
You must fill out the FAFSA that corresponds to the term when you plan to start classes here.
Here is an easy guide to help you locate and complete the correct form:
- Fall 2024 Term: Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA. You will be asked to supply information based on your 2022 tax forms (and your parents’ tax forms if you are a dependent student).
Watch this very helpful video for tips to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA:
Pro Tips for the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form
The US Department of Education has created an online list of “Pro Tips” to help you successfully complete the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. See the list at:
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support/pro-tips
Who Is a Contributor on the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form?
There’s a new term on the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form—contributor. A contributor is anyone required to provide information, a signature, and consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly into the FAFSA form. This may include the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or a stepparent. Contributors are not financially responsible for the student’s education. This video provides more info.
Verification
A student’s financial aid file may be selected by the US Department of Education or by the College for review in a process called verification. Students selected for verification will be asked to provide additional documents to the Financial Aid Office. These documents will be used to either confirm or correct information submitted by the student on the FAFSA. Since a student’s financial aid eligibility is based on information provided on the FAFSA, any changes in that data may affect a student’s financial aid award. For this reason, if you’re chosen for verification then your award will not be finalized until verification has been completed.
Financial Aid Revisions
Revisions to a financial award are sometimes required. If the Financial Aid Office receives additional information pertaining to a student’s financial aid application, adjustments to an award are often necessary. If a student’s award is adjusted, he or she will receive a Revised Award Letter. Some typical reasons for award adjustments are
- Enrollment change (student is modifying their originally planned enrollment pattern; for instance a student drops or adds a class or classes). An enrollment change affects the student’s cost of attendance, which often alters financial aid eligibility. In these cases, the Financial Aid Office is require to recalculate a student’s financial aid award. Please note: all students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive financial aid. Undergraduate half-time enrollment is defined as a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester.
- New information is available. Updated information provided by the student may result in an award change.
- Additional source of support. Also a factor is whether a student is receiving assistance from a source other than Franklin Cummings Tech. If a student receives private scholarship or grant money, it is their responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of this information.
