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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Hopefully you'll find answers to many of your questions on this page or some of our other pages. The Department of Education also has a list of FAQs for questions about filing your FAFSA electronically; check them out online: www.fafsa.ed.gov/faq001.htm.If you still have questions, contact the Financial Aid office by email at fadept@roguecc.edu. Questions about the Application Process:
Questions about Getting Your Money:
Questions about Loans:
Questions about Withdrawal and Aid:
When should I apply for financial aid?You must apply for financial aid every year. The best time to apply is as soon as possible after January 1 prior to the school year for which you are applying for financial aid. If you apply early, you may be eligible for SEOG Grants and/or Oregon Opportunity Grants if you have a high enough need level. Even if you miss the timelines for priority consideration though, you will still be considered for the aid programs with available funding (usually Pell Grant, Federal Work Study and Stafford Loan). Other processing timelines may apply, so check with the Financial Aid Office if you are unsure.How do I apply for financial aid?You can apply for financial aid (FAFSA) in several ways. We recommend that you apply on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have a pin number from the Federal Processor, you can complete a Renewal FAFSA on the Web.I don't live with my parents, they don't claim me on their tax returns, and they don't give me any financial support. Do I have to put down their information on my application?If you cannot answer YES to any question in the "Step 3" section on the FAFSA, you MUST include parent information. Parent information is used because the U.S. Congress has said that families have the primary responsibility for funding college education. If, however, you feel that you have special family circumstances, you should contact Rogue Central Services for Students before completing the FAFSA.I already filed my application, but I'm now married. Can I be considered independent now?Your marital status as of the day you applied is the status you will stay at during that aid year. Therefore, if you had to include your parent information when you applied, their information will be included throughout that aid year.My stepparent is not willing to support me. Do I have to list his/her income under the parent section too?Yes, if your "supporting" parent has remarried, his/her spouse's information must be included on the FAFSA.My parents are divorced/separated, and I do not live with either parent. Whose income should I use?The parent who supported you last is the person you should use. If that parent is remarried, you must also include the step-parent's income information.I live with my grandparents/other relatives/guardians who support me. Should I put their income information on my aid application instead of my parents'?No, you must put down your parents' information under the parent section. If, however, unusual circumstances exist, consult Rogue Central Services for Students before applying.When they ask for my household size, who should I include?Include yourself. If you are married, include your spouse. (If you are divorced, separated, or widowed, DON'T include spouse information). List the people for whom you (and your spouse if you are married) will provide at least half their support and who LIVE with you (children who are college students and would be considered "dependent" on the FAFSA should also be included). If you were required to include your (step)parent(s)' information, EVEN IF YOU DO NOT LIVE WITH THEM, include your (step)parents(s) and their dependents.You're asking for my tax returns and W-2s. I didn't keep copies. What should I do?You must contact the IRS (1-800-829-1040) and request copies. If you completed a 1040EZ or TeleFile, you can request "Letter 1722." Otherwise, you must request a return transcript. If you had a tax preparer do your tax returns, you may want to contact him/her if you believe she/he keeps copies. For copies of W-2s, you can contact your employers or request a full printout of the information from the IRS or the State Employment Department.You're asking for verification of my selective service registration. I never got anything. What should I do?You must contact Selective Service at 1-847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov to request a copy of your registration card. If it is determined that you have not registered, you must do so if you are still between the ages of 18 and 25 and bring us a copy of your registration card when you receive it. If you are not registered and over 26 years of age, you will need to request a letter from Selective Service showing your status and turn it in to us.RCC already has my financial aid application record, but I need to make some changes to my application. How should I make the changes?Bring your Student Aid Report (SAR), or the appropriate paperwork that describes the changes, to Rogue Central Services for Students, or call our office. We will advise you on how to proceed.I have some unusual circumstances that I need someone to know about when my application is reviewed. Should I send a letter with the FAFSA?Do not send anything except the FAFSA, and fill it out according to the directions. Any other paperwork sent to the federal processor will simply be shredded. Contact the RCC Financial Aid Office about unusual circumstances you'd like considered.What is untaxed income?Students need to review worksheet A and B in their FAFSA instructions, which outline what is to be included as untaxed income. Also, current contributions made to accounts such as an IRA, KEOUGH, or 401K must be included as noted on 1040s or W-2 forms' item 13, D, and E.I don't understand Worksheet C on the Financial Aid Application. Please explain.The first question about "Education Credits" refers to credits that you may have claimed on your federal tax return as the result of the Tax Relief Act of 1997. If you are not sure about whether or not you can claim these credits, consult the IRS or your tax consultant.The second question refers to child support PAID OUT by the student, or the parent if the student is still considered dependent under financial aid guidelines. The third question refers to the taxable Work Study funds that you earned. The fourth question refers to the amount of grant and scholarship aid you received that EXCEEDED the cost of tuition, fees, books, and required supplies AND had to be reported on a 1040 income tax return, as well as allowances and benefits you received from the Americorps program. I did not list RCC on my FAFSA when I first applied. What should I do?If you have your pin number from the federal processor, you can add RCC over the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To request a pin number, go to www.pin.ed.gov.If you have your Student Aid Report (SAR), you may also call the federal processor at 1-800-433-3243. Give them your name, social security number, the DRN number and transaction number off your SAR (in the upper right corner of the front page), and the name of the school you want to be added to your application (Rogue Community College, Title IV School Code 010071). If you no longer have your SAR, call the federal processor for a duplicate SAR. When you get it, call the processor again to provide the needed information. Can I still get aid if I filed late in the year?Yes! Even if you missed the timelines for priority consideration, your application will still be considered for aid programs with available funding, usually Pell Grants, Federal Work Study and Stafford Loans as long as the federal processor receives your application by the deadline listed on the FAFSA and we receive a record of that application while you are still enrolled.When will I get my Award Letter / Eligibility Notification?In general, it takes 4 to 6 after you apply for aid, depending on file completeness and time of year when you apply. Please keep in mind that this timeline may be lengthened, depending on the time of year and your individual situation.How much aid will I get?The information you provide on your FAFSA, as well as the other information you submit to our office, will allow us to determine what type of need level you have and, thus, what type of aid we can offer you. Funding availability, federal regulations, and "cost of education" will also be considered.How much money can I earn and still be eligible for financial aid?Your financial aid award will be based on a wide variety of factors. Therefore, it is extremely difficult, and usually impossible, to give an answer to this question without first going through the entire application and review process. However, if you would like to see an estimate of whether or not you might receive a Pell Grant based on a particular set of circumstances, try the Financial Aid Estimation Form. Keep in mind, though, the Pell Grant is not the only form of financial aid. Even if it appears that you are not eligible for this grant, you may be eligible for other types of aid.When do I get the money?PAYMENT TO STUDENTS. Tuition, fees, and book charges are deducted from the financial aid award before proceeds are mailed to the student. Financial aid checks are mailed from the Business Office generally every business day starting with the 14th day of the term and excluding finals week or the week following. First-time borrowers of a Federal Stafford Loan may not receive loan funds until at least 30 days into the term.Can I use my aid to pay for other expenses?Yes. If you receive a refund AFTER your tuition and other bills are paid at RCC, you may use your refund money to pay for other education-related expenses such as rent, groceries, transportation, child care, and other miscellaneous expenses. As student loans are also financial aid, you must first complete the financial aid application and review process before it can be determined if you are eligible for a student loan. If you are, the type of loan(s) you are eligible for will be indicated on the Award Letter or Eligibility Notification we send you.What if I originally was not interested in a student loan when I filled out my FAFSA, but now I am?If you have already received and Award Letter or Eligibility Notification, you may apply for a Stafford Loan online at Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling.I have a previous loan but am back in school. How can I defer my loan so that I don't have to make payments while I'm in school?Most lenders automatically receive notification that you are enrolled through the National Student Loan Clearinghouse. However, you may also need to request deferment papers from your lender and send them to the RCC Admissions and Records Office to verify your enrollment.What if I have defaulted on a student loan?We cannot offer you financial aid if you are in default on a student loan. You must provide us with documentation that the default has been cleared or put into satisfactory repayment before we can consider you for aid eligibility. You should contact your lender for more information.What if I have to drop out of ALL my classes, and I already received my financial aid?You will be subject to the Policy on Return of Title IV Aid and may have to repay part of your aid. If this happens, the Financial Aid Director determines your last date of attendance and applies the regulations accordingly. You must also successfully complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal in order to be considered for aid at RCC in future terms.
What do I do if I am not done with my classes at RCC before my financial aid Maximum Credit Allowance Limit is reached?You will have to successfully complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form if you want to be considered for aid at RCC in future terms. Otherwise, you must pay your educational expenses on your own.
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Last updated: 4/3/2008 11:20:10 AM |
