Financial Aid FAQs

Please make sure that your address is correct on Populi.  The financial office will only send the checks to the address shown on Populi.

See the process below:

FAFSA

1. Log in at fafsa.gov to apply online.  The Financial Aid School Code is: 042340

2. Complete the FAFSA and once completed correctly, you will receive an email confirmation.  Forward the confirmation to finaid@sanfranciscofilmschool.edu                                     Subject line: New application for Pell and/or Loan.

3. If you are also applying for Loans, complete the Entrance Counseling and the Promissory Note (you will also receive an email).      

4.  Once you complete step 2 &3, forward both email confirmations to the above email address (one email only with all confirmations).

5. Keep in mind that it will take a few days for us to see your applications and a week for us to research any documents needed to complete and start the disbursement process.  Documents needed can be verifications, doctor's letters, student statements, award letters, etc.

6. If you would like to correct or have any questions directly related to the application you can call FAFSA directly by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

PELL

1. Funds are requested for processing at the end of the second week of a semester. For example: If a semester starts September 5th, we request the disbursements from ECM (Financial Aid Processing Company) on September 19th for processing.  This allows students to add/drop or withdraw within the allowable period given for such situations according to school policies.

2. After the request, it takes about a week before it hits the school bank account (around the 26th).

3. When funds are deposited in the school bank account, the Financial Officer at the school has 14 days to process the reimbursements for the students (around October 10th). 

4. After that time, checks are mailed out to the students. 

The example above is merely an example and is not counting any holidays.

**We do not have direct deposit or Fedex/UPS**

LOANS

1. Funds are requested for processing 30 days from the first day of the beginning of a semester. Example:  Start of semester is September 5th, then the process starts October 5th with the request of funds from ECM.

2. Then the steps above 2-4 are the same for all Loans as they are for Pell.

I hope this clarifies the process for all future semesters.  

VERY IMPORTANT:

Keep in mind that if I do not have everything requested of the students (sign awards, copy of SS Cards, doctor letters, etc.) or anything needed to complete a file for processing, it will further delay the process for Pell or Loans.