Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to keep making payments on my payment plan if I am getting financial aid?
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
- My parents don’t support me. Why do I need their tax returns to apply for financial aid?
- I can’t find a copy of my tax return (or W-2’s). How can I get another copy?
- Why do I have to fill out the FAFSA again if all the information is the same?
- What is the Title IV Federal Code number for HCC?
- What happens after I complete the FAFSA?
- I received my Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail and there are some errors. Do I have to mail it back in order to correct it?
- Why aren’t I eligible for grants? -OR- Why aren’t I eligible for more?
- Can I take more credits than I was awarded?
- If I drop a course, will it affect my financial aid?
- If I’m on academic probation, does it mean that I’m not eligible for financial aid?
- What if I had an unusual problem that resulted in not maintaining satisfactory academic progress?
- I was terminated from financial aid at HCC in a previous year. I want to return to HCC. Am I eligible now?
- If I was terminated from another college, will I be eligible for financial aid at HCC?
- I have already been awarded financial aid at another school. How do I transfer it to this school?
- Will financial aid cover courses if I am not in a degree program?
- How do I apply for a student loan?
- Why do I have to do an entrance interview before I can borrow a student loan?
- When will I get my loan money?
- Why can’t I apply for more loan money?
- If I don’t want a loan, and I’m not eligible for grants, how can I pay for my courses?
Back to top ...
Do I have to keep making payments on my payment plan if I am getting financial aid?
Back to top ...If you entered into a payment plan agreement (installment plan) with the bursar, you must continue to make payments until your financial aid request has been reviewed and finalized. An official award notification will be sent to you. If you have paid more than the balance owed, you will be refunded any overpayment after financial aid funds are disbursed.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Back to top ...Please see these instructions for applying for financial aid.
What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
Back to top ...Housatonic Community College accepts applications throughout the year. However, in order to receive priority consideration for financial aid, you should complete your application by the following dates:
May 1, 2009 for the Fall 2009/Spring 2010 academic year
November 1, 2009 for the Spring 2010 semester only
My parents don’t support me. Why do I need their tax returns to apply for financial aid?
Back to top ...The federal government does not consider you to be independent for financial aid purposes until you are 24 years old or have met other requirements. If one or both of your parents are alive, they are responsible for your education as long as you are under the age of 24.
I can’t find a copy of my tax return (or W-2’s). How can I get another copy?
Back to top ...There are three methods for obtaining a copy of your federal tax return transcript from the IRS:
- Call the toll-free number 1-800-829-1040. Select option 1 from the main menu and follow the instructions.
- Complete form 4506-T and mail it to the IRS.
- Visit the Federal Building on Lafayette Boulevard in Bridgeport and ask for a copy of your tax transcript or tax summary.
The IRS charges no fee for the first copy of your tax transcript. According to the IRS, it make take up to two weeks for you to receive your tax transcript if you request it by mail or by phone. Please note that after you receive a copy of your taxes from the IRS, you must SIGN that copy before submitting it to the financial aid office.
If you need a copy of your W-2’s, the best method is to visit the Federal Building in Bridgeport, as listed in the third method above.
Why do I have to fill out the FAFSA again if all the information is the same?
Back to top ...Federal regulations require that the information on the FAFSA reflect the last year for which complete information is available. For each academic year, the information needed is from the previous tax year. Even if it is very similar to the previous year, you must complete the new FAFSA and submit it for processing in the correct academic year.
What is the Title IV Federal Code number for HCC?
Back to top ...The Title IV Federal Code for HCC is #004513.
What happens after I complete the FAFSA?
Back to top ...Once you submit your electronic application your information goes to the U.S. Department of Education’s Central Processing System (CPS). If you have listed HCC as one of your schools and you have been admitted to the college, it typically takes us about two weeks for us to receive CPS’s analysis of your financial need. You will be contacted by mail or email if additional information is needed. It is your responsibility to continue the process with the Financial Aid Office until eligibility is determined and your file is completed. You can check your financial aid status anytime by going to myCommNet.
I received my Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail and there are some errors. Do I have to mail it back in order to correct it?
Back to top ...With electronic filing, you have access to your application on the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You may correct your information on the website or correct it on the SAR. Contact the financial aid office if you have any questions.
Why aren’t I eligible for grants? -OR- Why aren’t I eligible for more?
Back to top ...The formula for determining financial aid eligibility is:
COA (Cost of Attending the school)
- EFC (Expected Family Contribution, from the SAR)
= NEED (Eligibility)If your EFC is high, you may be eligible for only partial aid.
If your EFC is larger than the cost of attending HCC, you will not be eligible for grant aid.
Can I take more credits than I was awarded?
Back to top ...Yes, your financial aid will be adjusted based on the amount of credits you are taking, up to 17 credits. An additional flat tuition charge of $100 per semester shall apply when total registered credits exceed 17 for the semester.
If I drop a course, will it affect my financial aid?
Back to top ...Possibly. If you drop the course within the first two weeks, financial aid for that course will be canceled and you will be billed for 50% of the tuition, plus all fees. If you drop the course after two weeks, financial aid will have been credited for that course, but you may receive a W, F, or N, which could affect your academic status. Failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Student Financial Aid Recipients may result in academic probation and/or termination from financial aid. If you withdraw completely, you will be subject to the Title IV refund policy, and will be billed for any balance remaining after “unearned” financial aid is withdrawn from your account.
If I’m on academic probation, does it mean that I’m not eligible for financial aid?
Back to top ...If you have received an academic probation notice from the financial aid office, you are eligible for financial aid for one more semester, but you must correct whatever is wrong academically by the end of that semester, and bring your overall academic standing up to the standards set in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Student Financial Aid Recipients.
What if I had an unusual problem that resulted in not maintaining satisfactory academic progress?
Back to top ...If there is a legitimate reason for your not attaining Satisfactory Academic Progress, you may appeal your status. The financial aid office can explain the appeal process to you.
I was terminated from financial aid at HCC in a previous year. I want to return to HCC. Am I eligible now?
Back to top ...No. You must take enough courses (and pay for them on your own) to once again meet the standards set in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Student Financial Aid Recipients before you are again eligible for financial aid at HCC. If there is a legitimate reason for your not attaining Satisfactory Academic Progress, you may appeal your status. The financial aid office can explain the appeal process to you.
If I was terminated from another college, will I be eligible for financial aid at HCC?
Back to top ...Yes. You will be making a fresh start for financial aid purposes. However, you must maintain the standards set in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Student Financial Aid Recipients.
I have already been awarded financial aid at another school. How do I transfer it to this school?
Back to top ...Your financial aid award is not transferable. The financial aid office at each school must determine your eligibility at that school, since it depends on the costs, number of credits, etc. at that school. HCC can only access your FAFSA information if you include it in the “school” section of the application. This can be done on the FAFSA website. HCC’s school code is 004513. Please allow six weeks to process the application and review the file.
Will financial aid cover courses if I am not in a degree program?
Back to top ...No. You must be in an eligible degree or certificate program to receive financial aid.
How do I apply for a student loan?
Back to top ...Once your FAFSA process is complete, you may visit the financial aid office to apply for a student loan. You must complete a separate application for a student loan. You must be enrolled for at least six credits to receive a student loan.
Our office can provide you with the necessary forms and counsel you regarding the loan process. Please note that all students interested in borrowing a loan will be required to complete an entrance interview (Mapping Your Future) before they will be allowed to borrow a loan.
Housatonic Community College observes the Connecticut Community College System’s Code of Conduct when working with providers of education loans. For more information, please click here to review the full Financial Aid Code of Conduct.
Why do I have to do an entrance interview before I can borrow a student loan?
Back to top ...The financial aid office is responsible for counseling loan applicants. The entrance interview will give you information regarding your rights and responsibilities as a student borrower.
When will I get my loan money?
Back to top ...After you have completed all loan application requirements, the financial aid office will submit your application and promissory note to the guarantee agency. When the lender’s requirements are met, the lender will disburse funds to your account in two separate payments over the course of the semester. You will get a refund of the unused portion, if any, after all loan payments have been made to your account. Please note that student loan funds are never available in time to purchase your textbooks at the beginning of the semester.
Why can’t I apply for more loan money?
Back to top ...Loans are limited by the federal government based on your year in school.
If I don’t want a loan, and I’m not eligible for grants, how can I pay for my courses?
Housatonic Community College offers a payment plan, which is available through the bursar. Additionally, if you are a returning student in good academic standing, you may apply for an HCC Foundation scholarship.