What are the steps I have to take to apply for financial aid?
 
(1)   For any type of federal aid, including student loans, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  (2)  If you want a student loan, complete the SLCC Loan Request Form;  complete a Master Promissory  Note (you can do this online at www.mohela.com if you use one of the school’s lenders); complete  Loan Entrance Counseling online at www.mapping-your-future.org.

If I have sufficient financial aid to cover my costs, do I need any cash to start classes?

New students must pay a $250 Orientation Fee in advance, which cannot be taken out of your financial aid.  For remaining costs, if you have sufficient financial aid, you will not need any cash at the time you begin classes.  If you have enough financial aid to cover books, your books can be added to your school account also.

Can I lose the tuition scholarship?

There are two ways you can lose the scholarship:  (1) if you do not remain enrolled in at least 12 hours through the 60% point in the semester (75% point for AIM students), you forfeit the scholarship; (2) you must be in good academic standing to keep the scholarship.  At the end of your first semester, your cumulative GPA must be 1.75; at the end of the second semester, 1.85; at the end of the third semester, 1.95, and by the end of the fourth semester and thereafter, 2.0. One probationary semester is allowed.

Why do I have to provide my parent’s information when my parents do not support me and do not claim me on their tax return?

There are some yes/no questions on the FAFSA that determine your dependency status.  Even if you are self supporting, you are considered a dependent of your parents unless:

• You are 24 years old before January 1 of the year you are applying for financial aid
• You are an orphan or were a ward of the court until age 18
• You are a veteran
• You are a graduate student
• You are married
• You have a child or dependents (other than children or spouse) who receives more than half of their support from you
• You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training

I already filed the FAFSA but did not list Saint Louis Christian College as one of my schools

You can make a correction online and add our school code.  Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and select the link ADD OR DELETE A SCHOOL CODE.  SLCC’s code is 012580.

I am a dependent student, but my parent refuses to sign the FAFSA or submit FAFSA information.

If there are unusual circumstances, such as abuse, abandonment, etc., the Financial Aid Office may be able to do a dependency override if you provide sufficient documentation.    Contact the Financial Aid Office to request a Dependency Override form if this is the case.  If circumstances do not warrant a dependency override, there will be a provision for the 2010-11 award year in which a student whose parents refuse to cooperate in completing the FAFSA may be able to receive an unsubsidized Stafford Loan.   Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

What determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) when I file my FAFSA?

Family income is one factor, but not the only one.  Family size, number in college, untaxed income, assets, etc. are also taken into consideration.  The student’s own income and assets are assessed more heavily than the parents’.

What if my family’s financial situation has changed considerably from the information we reported on the FAFSA?

The Financial Aid Office may be able to do an income adjustment based on the current situation.  Request an Income Adjustment Form from the Financial Aid Office.

My parents are divorced.  My mother is remarried and my stepfather hasn’t adopted me.  Is my stepfather required to supply his financial information on the FAFSA?

Yes.

I am an independent married student and my wife and I filed our tax returns separately.  Do I need to include her income on my FAFSA?

Yes.  When asked for income and taxes paid and other tax items, you must total the amounts from both returns.

My parents are divorced.  I live with my mother, but my father claims me on his tax return.  Whose information do I report on the FAFSA?

Complete the FAFSA with your information and your mother’s information.  Only the custodial parent (parent with whom the child lives) is required to supply the necessary financial information.   If the father furnishes child support, it will be reported on the FAFSA also.

What if my parents’ income tax return has not been completed when I file the FAFSA?

You may use an estimate to file the FAFSA; however, your FAFSA will probably be selected for verification, and you will have to provide complete federal income tax information before actual awards will be made.

What does it mean if I am selected for a process called Verification?

SLCC’s Financial Aid Office is required to obtain certain documents from students selected for verification.  These consist of (1) a completed Verification Worksheet and (2) signed federal tax returns for all individuals whose information was furnished on the FAFSA.  You will be notified if these documents must be provided.

Can I obtain a job on campus?

Funding for jobs on campus is limited; jobs are assigned primarily to returning students who have demonstrated  competence and dependability in their Ministry Advancement Program assignments the previous year.  Freshmen generally will not be assigned paid jobs on campus.

If my SLCC tuition scholarship, Pell Grant, and Stafford loan does not provide enough financing to meet my educational needs, what else is available?

You may want to consider a Parent PLUS Loan (parents of undergraduate students only).  The parent must apply and be approved; if the parent is not approved due to a faulty credit rating, the student may be able to receive an additional $4,000 a year in unsubsidized Stafford Loan.  Proof of denial must be   received by the Financial Aid Office.   If your parent does not wish to apply for a PLUS loan, you might want consider an Alternative (private) educational loan.   More information about PLUS and alternative loans are on the SLCC Loan Request Form.  An alternative loan should be a loan of last resort, since terms and conditions are not as favorable as for the Federal Stafford and PLUS loans.

I am a transfer student.  What determines my grade level for Stafford Loan purposes?

Once your admissions file is complete, the Registrar will evaluate your previous transcripts depending on what your intended degree program will be and determine how many of your credits are accepted for transfer to that program.  The number of credits accepted will determine your grade level for loan purposes.

After applying for financial aid, what do I do next?

Once you have completed all the proper paper work needed for financial aid, you will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter in the mail.  This letter will indicate the aid that has been awarded.  Review the award letter for accuracy and to make sure your financial aid is sufficient to cover your costs.   Read all of the accompanying material to make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your financial aid.   You do not need to sign and return the award letter unless you reject one or more of the awards.