Applying for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid may not be as easy as 1, 2, 3...
...but with SCC's Financial Aid Office on your side it's easy to step right through the process!
Use this step-by-step guide, and the support of SCC's Financial Aid Office, to assist with your journey through the financial aid application.
1. The fastest way to determine your financial aid eligibility is to apply online at the FAFSA Website http://www.fafsa.gov/. If you do not have Internet access, stop by the SCC Financial Aid Office at we'll point you in the right direction. First, you'll need a PIN number to sign your electronic application (your parent's might need one too). To obtain a PIN number check out the link below:
Once you've received your PIN, you can fill out the FAFSA here:
Would you rather file a paper version of the FAFSA? You may download a paper version here:
ATTENTION STUDENTS! Be sure that you list SCC's school code 004603 on the school section of the application. If you are an Illinois resident planning to attend through the Carl Sandburg College agreement, be sure to list their school code 007265 as well.
2. In about a week, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor either by paper or electronic format (to your e-mail address). This document may be a bit difficult to read and understand. If you have questions concerning your SAR, please don't hesitate to contact us.
3. Soon after you receive the SAR from the Department of Education, SCC will receive your financial aid application from the Department of Education. Once SCC receives your information, you will receive a letter from SCC indicating what documents we will need you to complete in order to finish your financial aid file. Be sure to not overlook this documentation when we mail it to you.
4. It is very important that you promptly respond to the letter mailed to you by SCC by providing any required documents and forms (as indicated in the letter). Some financial aid applications are selected by the federal processor for verification. Students who are selected for verification must provide copies of their federal tax returns, and other requested documents, to be considered for financial assistance. Your financial aid will not be awarded until all the required documents have been provided to SCC.
5. Once all documents and forms have been provided to SCC, within a period of about a week you will receive notification (called an Award Letter) outlining any awards you might be eligible to receive. The Award Letter is your key to financial aid, and also marks the end of the application process.
Please note that preference in awarding certain grants is given to those students who have documented financial need on file in the Financial Aid Office (based on completing the process above) by order of file completion (how early you complete the process above)...SO APPLY EARLY!
