Online Community College: Basic Steps For Financial Aid

Have you recently decided to enroll at an online community college? Are you concerned that the high costs of higher education will make your educational goals unattainable? Financial aid is available to assist you in your pursuit of higher education. This article will provide a step-by-step guide that will help online community college students begin the financial aid process.

Step One - Obtain your Federal Student Aid PIN
The first step to receiving financial aid is obtaining a Federal Student Aid PIN. Your PIN will be used to electronically to apply for Federal financial aid and to access your records online. To get a PIN, online community college students can visit www.pin.ed.gov. Once, you receive your PIN do not share it with anyone in order to maintain your security and privacy.

Step Two - Submit a FAFSA Form
The next step for students is to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Online community college students must submit a FAFSA form each year that they are enrolled in college. The FAFSA form is used to establish eligibility for Federal financial aid programs. Students electronically "sign" the FAFSA form with their Federal Student Aid PIN. This is why you must obtain your PIN first.

-To submit a FAFSA form online students should visit www.fafsa.ed.gov
-If you a make a mistake while filling out your FAFSA form, do not be concerned you can correct it online.
-Paper FAFSA forms are also available, in English or Spanish, at the Federal Student Aid Information Center. Online community college students can call 1-800-433-3243 or TTY: 1-800-730-8913. Be advised that filing a paper FAFSA form will add four-six weeks to the processing time.
-Avoid errors to improve processing time.

Step Three - Verify Your Eligibility
The amount of Federal financial aid you quality for and receive depends a variety of factors, including:

-Your financial need, which is determined when you submit your FAFSA form.
-Your enrollment status at the online community college, specifically, the number of credit hours you will take each semester.

The FAFSA 4caster
The United States Department of Education offers online community college students a service known as the FAFSA4caster. The FAFSA4caster provides students with a preliminary estimate of their Federal financial aid eligibility.

Students must meet the eligibility requirements below in order to receive Federal financial aid:

-Have a GED certificate, high school diploma or pass an approved ABT
-Be enrolled in an academic program at a college
-Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
-Have a valid Social Security number
-Males students (18-25) must be registered with Selective Service
-Not have been convicted of any state or federal law of selling or possessing illegal narcotics. Students who have convictions can call 1-800-4-FED-AID to learn how this law applies to you.

Step Four - Finalize Paperwork Select a Degree Program
Finally, all students must file the proper paperwork with their community college in order to receive financial aid. Additionally, students must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program to receive Federal financial aid. Contact your community college for Academic Advising and to update your program of study.