Financial Aid Information

General Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for most federal student aid programs is based on financial need rather than on academic achievement. To have his or her financial need determined, a student must complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). https://fafsa.ed.gov

To be eligible for federal student aid, a student must:

  • Demonstrate financial need

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent, or have been homeschooled

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

  • Have a valid Social Security number

  • Make satisfactory academic progress in college or career school

  • Sign certifying statements on the FAFSA such as agreeing to use federal student aid funds only for education expenses

  • Be enrolled in a college or career school at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds

Before Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

Create FSA ID by visiting: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm

The FSA IDis a username and password that both the student and parent will need to signing the FAFSA and for various other uses on Federal Student Aid websites.

To create a FSA ID bothstudent and parent will need to:

1. Enter your log-in information:

a) Provide your email address, a unique username and password.

b) Verify that you are at least 13 years old.

2. Enter your personal information:

a) Provide your Social Security number, name, and date of birth.

b) Include your mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and language preference.

c) For security purposes, provide answers to five challenge questions.

3. Submit your FSA ID information:

a) Agree to the terms and conditions.

b) Verify your e-mail address. (By verifying your e-mail address, you can use your e-mail address as your username when logging into certain U.S. Department of Education websites. This verification also allows you to retrieve your username or reset your password without answering challenge questions.)

The Application Process for Federal Aid

Federal law requires the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to allow students to apply for federal aid without paying a fee. To be considered for most of the federal student aid programs, a student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application (available in English and Spanish) collects financial and other information used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which postsecondary schools use to determine the student’s eligibility for aid.

Some schools have limited institutional funds that are awarded on a “first come, first served” basis to eligible students. Students and parents should fill out their tax forms and the FAFSA as early as possible beginning January 2016. Those who are unable to complete tax forms early should estimate amounts as accurately as possible and fill out the FAFSA accordingly, correcting the information with actual amounts once the tax forms are complete.

For more information on Connecticut Financial Aid Resources, visit:

https://www.ctohe.org/edinfo/pdfs/FinancialAidResources.pdf

https://www.ctohe.org/SFA/sfa.shtml#Governor

Note: Some schools may also require the CCS Profile which is due in October, in addition to the FAFSA. For more information on the CCS Profile and a complete listing of which schools require it visit https://profileonline.collegeboard.org/prf/VignetteServlet/VignetteServlet.srv?relativePath=/profile/pdfs/1617_profile_regist_guide.pdf

Need to Complete Your Taxes?

There is free tax preparation available in your near by city or town through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. VITA volunteers are trained by the IRS to prepare federal and state taxes for low income individuals and families in a nationwide effort to save them money and ensure that they take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit and child tax credits.

Find your closest site at:

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers