Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. How do I Apply for financial aid?

Apply early and as soon after January 1 of each year, over the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The award year is fall, spring and summer. For example, for the 2008-2009 award year, the FAFSA application will cover Fall 2008, Spring 2009 and Summer 2009.

2. What is PIN for financial aid?
You and your parents (if you are dependent for financial aid purposes) may obtain a PIN. With a PIN, you may complete the FAFSA on the WEB without submitting a signature page. The PIN is your electronic signature! Be sure to keep it because you may use it to check on the status check on the status of processing your FAFSA on the WEB and to make corrections over the web. You may obtain your PIN at the following address: www.pin.ed.gov.

3 What are the benefits of filing the FAFSA on the web?
Filing the paper Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may take up to 6 weeks to process and return the results to the colleges to which you released the data as well as for you to receive your Student Aid report (SAR). In addition, many filers make errors when completing the paper application.

Filing using FAFSA on the WEB is much faster.
Results can be provided to the colleges indicated in 3 business days! Errors are reduced because the software makes sure that you don’t miss any questions and edits it for you. If you cannot complete the FAFSA on the WEB in one session, you can save it and return later to complete it. You can coordinate the completion with a parent easily. The address for FAFSA on the WEB is www.fafsa.ed.gov. Check it out!

When should I apply for financial aid?
Apply early and as soon after January 1 of each year as you can. Remember that much of the FAFSA information comes from your completed federal tax return. So, plan to prepare your tax return early. Be sure to save copies of your filed tax return in the event we request them.

Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Yes. Once you have filed a FAFSA, you will be able to complete a Renewal the next year. However, it will not be so complicated the second time around. You can access your renewal at www.fafsa.ed.gov and update the information and provide new income and asset information.

What are the general eligibility criteria for financial aid?
To be eligible for federal student aid, you must…

Have a high school diploma, a General Education Development (GED) certificate or demonstrate the ability to benefit.
Be enrolled at an eligible institution, and in a program that leads to a degree or certificate.
Be a U. S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Make satisfactory academic progress.
Have a valid Social Security Number.
Sign a statement of educational purpose and a statement on overpayments and defaults.
Register with the selective service, if applicable.
Have financial need.

What is an eligible program for financial aid?
One of the eligibility criteria for student financial aid is that a student be admitted and pursuing a certificate or degree program that has been approved by the U.S. Department of education for financial aid. To be a eligible program at Southwest Tennessee Community College, the program must be an associate degree program or a certificate program.

How do I select an eligible program for financial aid?
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You should consult the College Catalog under the sections of Admissions Requirements or see a counselor for academic assistance and information. When you have selected a major and are “placed” in an eligible program, you will have met one of the criteria for eligibility for financial aid.

I am considering going to school part-time. Am I eligible for financial aid if I am enrolled at half-time status?
Yes. Most financial aid programs (state, federal and institutional) require that you are enroll at least half-time. However, the Federal Pell grant and Part-time Tuition assistance grant may be awarded to students who are enrolled less than half-time. Most importantly, you must apply to find out!

If I live with an aunt, uncle or grandparent, should that relative’s income be reported instead of parental information?
The only time you would report their income is if the relative is your adoptive parent. Dependent students can be considered dependent only on their parent(s) and may report parental inform only on FAFSA. You must report any cash support given by relatives, but not in-kind support (such as food and housing) from relatives.

What if I live with a girlfriend or boyfriend who pays the rent?
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You should not report any information for a friend or roommate unless the two of you are actually married or are considered to have a common-law marriage under state law. You must report cash support given by the friend as untaxed income but you should not report in-kind support (such as food and housing). You must report the rent the roommate paid if your name is on the lease and if the roommate is paying the rent for you.

What is the difference between cash support and in-kind support?
Cash support is support given to you in the form of money or money that is paid on your (the student’s) behalf. You must report any cash received or paid on your behalf as untaxed income.

In-kind support is such things as free food or housing that you may receive in exchange for work or services. This type of assistance is not reported as income or untaxed income on the FAFSA.

However, you must report the value of housing a family receives when it is considered compensation for a job on Worksheet B. The most common examples of this is free housing or a housing allowance that is provided to members of the military or the clergy.

I am now a citizen but I still have my Alien Registration number. How should I respond on the FAFSA?
You should answer, “yes” to the item that asks if you are a citizen. Do not provide your Alien Registration Number.

I am going to get married this summer. How do I answer the question that asks if I’m married?
Answer “Yes” if you are married on the day you sign and submit your FAFSA. Otherwise, answer “No”. The FAFSA is a snapshot of your status on the date you complete it. It does not project changes, such as marriage.

If I am an emancipated minor, am I considered independent on the financial
aid form?
The status of an emancipated minor is not recognized by the U.S. Department of education for financial aid purposes. To be independent for financial aid purposes, you must meet one of the following criteria:

You were born before:
- January 1, 1985 for the 2008-2009 school year
- January 1, 1984 for the 2007-2008 school year
You are married;
You are or will be enrolled in a master's or doctoral program (beyond degree) during the current school year;
You have children who receive more than half of their support from you;
You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you and will continue to receive more than half of their support from you through the entire school year;
You are an orphan or ward of the court (or were an orphan/ward of the court until age 18);
You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed forces
You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces for purposes other than training.

My parents are divorced. Whose information do I need for the FAFSA?
The parent with whom you lived with the most during the past year should complete the FAFSA. It makes no difference which parent claims you as dependent for tax purposes. If you did not live with either parent or lived equally with each parent, the parent who provided you with the most financial support must complete the financial aid form.

I don’t get along with my parents and live with friends. I pay my own rent and other bills. Can I apply without my parents income?
If you do not meet the criteria to automatically be considered independent and unusual circumstances exist in your relationship with your parents, you may appeal for a dependency override. You must document your situation carefully and completely.

If you believe you may qualify for a dependency override, you should complete the FAFSA and submit it. Complete it with only your income information. It will be rejected when processed. However, if your appeal is approved your financial aid application will be submitted electronically by the Financial Aid Office.

If I am in the National Guard or am an active duty military member, am I considered a veteran for purposes of completing the FAFSA?
If you were a member of the National Guard or Reservist called to active duty for purposes other than training and you were released under a condition other than dishonorable, you are considered a veteran for financial aid purposes.

If you are on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Costal Guard, but you will be a veteran by June 30, 2010, you are considered a veteran for financial aid purposes. If your active duty will continue past June 30, 2010 (for the 2010-2011 school year and June 30, 2011 for the 2011-2012 school year, you are not considered a veteran for financial aid purposes.

My mother and stepfather are completing the FAFSA. Should I provide my father’s or stepfather’s information (SSN and income info) on the FAFSA?
You should provide the SSN and income of the individuals for whom you live with. In this example, you should report your stepfather’s information.

I am an independent student. I am separated but filed a joint tax return. How should income information be reported?
You should only report YOUR portion of the exemptions, income, taxes, and any assets. Review your w-2 for that tax year.

Who qualifies to be counted in the number in college?
Any person (except for your parents) who is counted in the household and will be attending any term of the academic year, at least half-time should be included. This person must be working toward a degree or certificate leading to a recognized educational credential at college, university or post secondary school that participates in the federal student aid programs. You should always include yourself (the student).

I am not sure if I want to accept a work-study position. What should I enter for this question on the FAFSA?
At Southwest, we use your response to this question as an indication of your interest in pursuing all forms of financial aid including student work-study. Answering “YES” to this question does not obligate you to accept a work-study position.