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Financial Aid
Application Procedures

" Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Mail in envelope attached to form. You can also apply over the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov instead of using the paper form. A personal identification number (PIN) may be used instead of sending a signature page when applying over the internet.

" Submit all pages of the Student Aid Report (SAR), which you will receive four to six weeks after mailing the FAFSA. Review it for accuracy and call the financial aid office to see if additional information is needed. The SAR is required to determine eligibility for all federal programs and some state/school programs.

" If you are selected for verification, you must provide additional information to the school aid office. This may include tax forms, social security statements, TANF statements, and worksheets as necessary. Submitting this information in a timely manner will prevent delays in receiving aid. Please note that all documents must be signed. Duplicates of documents will be made in the Financial Aid Office. The original will be returned to the applicant.

" Once your Financial Aid Package has been determined, you will receive a postcard in the mail instructing you to complete a financial aid workshop online and submit to the financial aid office.  Your award will be mailed to you at that time for you to sign and return to the financial aid office. Students not eligible for aid will receive a notification of evaluation.

Deadlines

Applications that are completed by June 1 will have priority on aid funds for the following year. A completed file consists of the Student Aid Report, completed admissions requirements for Craven Community College, and any additional documentation required by the aid office. Applications for financial aid that are completed and received before March 31 of each year will be given priority consideration for the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) if funds are available.  To be considered for the North Carolina Student Incentive Grant (NCSIG), your FAFSA must be mailed to the processor by March 15.  NOTE: Students must reapply each academic year for financial aid.

Scholarships established by private contributions from individuals, business organizations, and clubs provide aid to students who meet specific donor criteria. Students interested in scholarships should contact the Financial Aid Office for appropriate applications and deadlines.

Eligibility Requirements

In general, a student is eligible to apply for financial assistance if the following requirements are met:
" Student must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
" Student must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible course of study. Student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the Craven Community College Financial Aid Office.
" Student must demonstrate a financial need according to each programs criteria and must complete necessary forms.
" Student must not owe a refund to the Pell Grant, SEOG, or NCSIG nor be in default of any student loan.
" If a student is a male born on or after January 1, 1960, or at least 18 years of age and not currently a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, he must be registered with selective service. Student must sign a certification of registration, and he may be required to prove that he is registered.
" Student must have a Social Security number.
" Student must have a high school diploma or a GED.

Dependency Status

When you apply for federal student aid, your answers to certain questions will determine whether you are considered dependent on your parent(s)--and must, therefore, report their income and assets as well as your own--or whether you are independent and must, therefore, report only your own income and assets (and those of your spouse, if you are married).

Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the idea that students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) have the primary responsibility of paying for their postsecondary education.

You are an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you:
" you were born before January 1, 1984
"you are married
" you are enrolled in a graduate or professional educational program
" you have legal dependents other than a spouse
" you are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a 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

If you consider yourself to be an independent student but you do not meet any of the above conditions, you must make an appointment with the Financial Aid Director to discuss your situation.

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