(For students attending fall 2022, spring 2023, and summer 2023)
When is the 2022-2023 FAFSA available? October 1, 2021
When should I file my FAFSA? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – You will get a response from FAFSA within a couple of days. You should look for an email or letter from the school.
What financial information do I include on the FAFSA? 2020 taxes. If you or your parents did not file taxes for the 2020 year, just indicate that you “will not file” on the FAFSA.
Is there anything I should do before October 1, 2021? Yes, you should locate or create your FSA ID which replaced the Personal Identification Number (PIN) effective May 2015. The FSA ID is used to log in and electronically sign within the US Department of Education website studentaid.gov. You can create your FSA ID now. You do not have to wait until October 1 for this process.
(For students attending fall 2021, spring 2022, and summer 2022)
When is the 2021-2022 FAFSA going to be available? October 1, 2020
What financial information do I include on the FAFSA? 2019 taxes. If you or your parents did not file taxes for the 2019 year, just indicate that you “will not file” on the FAFSA.
Is there anything I should do before October 1, 2020? Yes, you should locate or create your FSA ID which replaced the Personal Identification Number (PIN) effective May 2015. The FSA ID is used to log in and electronically sign within within the US Department of Education website studentaid.gov. You can create your FSA ID now. You do not have to wait until October 1 for this process.
When should I file my 2021-2022 FAFSA? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after October 1 – especially if you are an Illinois resident attending an Illinois school and you were Pell Grant eligible this year or expect to be next year. You will get a response from FAFSA within a couple of days. You should look for an email or letter from the school.
How do I know the results from the FAFSA being filed? When you file online the estimated awards are provided to you once submitted. A notification of a Student Aid Report (SAR) is emailed to you as well. Colleges that you include on your application will also notify you of awards.
What does the award letter I received tell me? Students are notified of financial aid awards through the award letter process. The awards are broken down into fall and spring. The amounts listed are based on full-time (12 credit or more) enrollment. If you are enrolled in less than full-time your actual award will be less. Your student file must be complete to receive your awards – no outstanding verification, documentation, or suspensions.
Why is my aid amount different than my award letter amount? The amounts listed on the award letter are based on full-time (12 credit or more) enrollment. If you are enrolled in less than full-time your actual aid amount will be less.
Do I go to class if my financial aid has not come through? Yes, you should still attend class even if your financial aid has not come through. If you miss too many days to begin the class you can be dropped from the class for non-attendance.
Do I have to go full-time to receive a Pell grant? No, you can take 1 credit hour or as many as 12 credit hours and still receive a Pell grant. The Pell grant is adjusted to your credit hours and looks at a students Expected Family Contribution (EFC). In order to receive your full Pell award you must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours or more.
What is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)? The EFC is determined by the information you submit on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The EFC represents a reasonable figure a family is expected to invest in the student’s future, based on current income and assets. It is not the amount you must pay the school.
Why is a class not covered by financial aid? Courses must go towards a student’s declared degree. If a student has already completed specific degree requirements a course may not be covered by financial aid.
I don’t have enough financial aid to cover my bill and books. What are my options? The JWCC Business Office offers a tuition payment plan to students for a nominal fee. Students enrolled in six credit hours or more can participate in the federal direct loan program. A final option would be for student to cover the remaining tuition and books out of pocket by paying with a form of payment (cash, credit card, etc.)
How do I get my books using financial aid? Once financial aid is processed and a student has excess funds on the student account it can be used to purchase books in the bookstore. Students should take their course schedule and a photo id when going to the JWCC Bookstore.
When can I get my books? The JWCC Business Office will announce the date books go on sale each semester. This is approximately two weeks prior to the start of classes. If a student has excess funds in their student account they are allowed to use those funds. If not the student must use a form of cash/check payment.
Do I go to class if I do not have my books? Yes, you should still attend class even if you do not have your books yet. If you miss too many classes you can be dropped for non-attendance. If you expect financial aid to cover your books you should follow-up with them making sure all documentation request have been submitted.