Financial Aid FAQ

Do I have to wait until I test or get accepted into an extended (full-time) program before applying for financial aid?

No. You may complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at any time, as a matter of fact we encourage you to go online at Student Aid and get started. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the FAFSA and receive a valid SAR (Student Aid Report) prior to meeting with the financial aid office.  However, even though you can “apply” for financial aid prior to testing, you will not be eligible for a financial aid appointment until testing has been successfully completed.

What should I do next with my SAR?

After receiving a valid SAR (Student Aid Report), please complete the Entrance Loan Counseling session and the Master Promissory Note (MPN). Once ALL THREE are complete, call 937-854-6297 and tell the representative that you have completed the 3 steps.  Once the financial aid team verifies completion, a financial aid appointment will be set.  During this appointment, the student’s eligibility for the Pell Grant and Stafford Loan proceeds will be determined.

I don’t think I will qualify for Pell but can I still apply for student loans?

Yes. Your income doesn’t matter except that it may cause all or some of your loan funds to be unsubsidized. (Unsubsidized means that interest will be accruing during your in-school and grace period).

I know that I am not Pell eligible because of my income, and my employer will pay for everything. Why do I still have to complete the FAFSA?

If you are Pell eligible, most employers require that Pell be applied to your fees first, and then your employer pays all or part of the balance. The financial aid office has to let your employer know if you are eligible or not. Please contact your Human Resources specialist for individual circumstances.

I am not Pell eligible and my employer is paying for everything but I still need money to help out with living expenses, child care, etc. Can I apply for student loans and keep that money for myself?

Yes. Normally the only funds that your employer requires to be applied to your account is Pell. Please contact your Human Resources specialist for individual circumstances.

An outside agency such as WIOA or BVR is going to pay for my schooling. Why do I have to complete the FAFSA form?

If you are Pell eligible, most agencies require that Pell be applied to your fees first, and then the agency will pay all or part of your balance. The financial aid office has to let the agency know if you are eligible or not.

I am currently attending another school. Can my aid just transfer to your school?

No, any current loans would be canceled when you leave the other school and you will have to re-apply for new loans. You may not be able to get full new loan amounts if there is an overlapping loan period between schools. If you have Pell you will be awarded based on the percentage you have already used at the other school. For example, your award at the other school was $5350 and you used 50% ($2675). Your award here is $3700. You have 50% remaining eligibility so the maximum amount for this school would be $1850 ($3700 X 50%).

I already have a SAR for this award year because of attending another school. Do I complete a new FAFSA for your school?

No, you can only have one SAR per award year. You would need to update your current SAR by adding our school code of 015980.

I am on my own and self-supporting. Why do I have to provide my parents information?

Dependency status is determined by the questions you answer in Section Two on the FAFSA form. If you answer no to every question on this form, then you are a dependent student for financial aid purposes and you must provide your parents information. Residency is not a factor.

I answered no to all the questions in Section Two but I do have a child. Doesn’t that make me independent?

Not necessarily. The qualifying question is, “Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you?” For instance, you have little or no income, you and your child are living with your parents and they are providing most of your needs, then they would be the ones providing over 50%.

My high school diploma is from a foreign country. Is that acceptable?

In order to receive financial aid your diploma must be equivalent to a U.S. diploma. It is the student’s responsibility to have the diploma reviewed by a credential evaluator. You may request a list of evaluators from the financial aid office. The evaluators do charge for this service. Keep in mind that this process can take several weeks, so start early.

I currently have a student loan in default status. Can I still get my Pell grant?

No, if you are in default you are not eligible to receive any Title IV aid. As a matter of fact, you may not be able to receive other sources of funding such as WIA. Once the default is resolved you will again be eligible. Any default status must be completely resolved at least one month prior to the program start date. If you are already in the program and go into default, your aid will be suspended and you will become responsible for tuition and fees.