The FAFSA is the foundation for putting together your financial aid package, and this quick guide will give you a jump start.

Need help? Contact our Financial Aid team!

First Things First

Getting organized is a great first step (like a lot of things in life!)

1. Pull together the documents and information you'll need to complete the application –here's the list on the FAFSA site
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2. Get your Federal Student Aid ID (it will be your legal signature on the FAFSA).
3. You'll need SCC's Title IV School Code, too: 017027

Apply!

You're ready to apply for financial aid – complete the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov.

That's it!

What's Next?

It takes about two weeks to process your FAFSA application. After that, you can check the status on the FAFSA site.

It's a good idea to print copies of all pages (or save them as PDFs) for your own records, too.

Once your application's been processed, you can review and print your Student Aid Report (SAR).

FAFSA Verification Info

Special Circumstances

A Professional Judgement a.k.a. 'Special Circumstance' appeal allows for a financial aid adjustment due to extenuating circumstances that may have significantly reduced current or prior year income compared to the tax data reported on the FAFSA.

Qualifying special circumstances include:

• Recent unemployment of a direct family member (mother or father) of dependent student
• Recent unemployment of an independent student or their spouse
• Forced reduction in income
• Marital status change resulting in loss of income
• Death of a dependent student's parent
• Death of an independent student's spouse
• Unusually high medical expenses not covered by insurance
• Primary/Secondary education tuition costs
• Circumstances related to Covid-19
• Involuntary loss of income due to reduced hours or shutdowns as a result of Covid-19 during 2020 or 2021
• Loss of income effective 2020 or 2021 due to disability
• Significant medical expenses not covered by insurance during 2020 or 2021 as a result of Covid-19

Reasons not considered special circumstances:

• Voluntary loss/decrease in income
• Student or spouse reducing hours or quitting job to go to school
• Excessive consumer debts
• Thinking you should qualify for a Federal PELL Grant
• FAFSA EFC is already '0' (You may find the EFC on your Student Aid Report)

How do I submit a Special Circumstances Appeal?

1. Complete the FAFSA Verification process (see the section above for required items)
2. Complete the Special Circumstances Appeal in Eforms. Select the appropriate form based on the academic year you are applying for.

Anything Else?

At this point, you may also decide to request a student loan or apply for Federal Work Study to cover any gaps in your education costs. Your call – it's optional!

FAFSA Application Deadlines

It's no fun to miss a deadline that may mean missing out on financial aid or getting the class schedule you really want. Make note of these dates to ensure you've got all your ducks in a row. 

Make sure that you are completing the appropriate FAFSA for the academic year in which you will be attending. An academic year begins in fall and ends in summer. If you are applying for financial aid in the current Fall 2022 term, you will need to complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA. Make sure to add our FAFSA school code: 017027. Without the school code, SCC cannot view your FAFSA.

Fall 2022 Refund Dates

Last day to receive a 100% refund for dropped courses

Why refund dates matter for FA

• Remaining in a course past this date means you may be responsible for the charges if the course is not financial aid eligible.
• Remaining in a course past this date means it will be counted in your FA Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measures, which can affect future FA eligibility. For more information on the FA SAP policy, please see the FA SAP web page and FA SAP Handbook
• Withdrawing from a course after this date will result in a lowered completion ratio.
• If you do not withdraw from the course and receive an 'F' grade, this will both lower your completion ratio and lower your GPA.

Fall 2022 Census Dates

Census dates are the dates that financial aid eligibility is confirmed. A snapshot of your course schedule, active degree program and attendance/participation on the census date will determine your financial aid disbursement.

How Census Dates are Determined

• MAIN term = End of 4th week of the term (Friday)
• Mini-term = 14 days after 1st day of term (15th day)
• *Winter Mini census is the 5th day

Why census dates matter for FA

• Adding a course after the census date could mean you are responsible for the cost of the course.
• After the census date, any degree program changes will NOT be considered for FA eligibility in the current term.
• Attendance records must reflect that you are actively participating in a course in order to receive financial aid disbursement. If instructor reported attendance records show that you ceased participation in the course before the term census date, you may forfeit financial aid eligibility for that course.
• Important Note: If you are in at least one MAIN term course, the MAIN term census date will be used to determine your FA eligibility. In other words, aid will not be re-calculated at a later date within the term even if you add a mini-term course.

Fall 2022 Withdrawal Dates

Last day to withdraw from a course and receive a 'W' instead of a letter grade

Why withdrawal dates matter for FA

Although a 'W' will lower your SAP completion ratio, withdrawing before this deadline can prevent a lower GPA