Page 27 of Arizona Western College 2006-2007 Catalog by Arizona Western College

16 . Scholarship Search http://www.fastweb.monster.com . Federal school codes http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw0506/fslookup.htm . .U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid for Student Home Page http://www.studentaid.ed.gov Who can apply for financial aid? The eligibility requirements listed on this and the following pages are general in nature and are not intended to be comprehensive. The requirements for individual types of aid do vary and students should contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office for details. Students are advised to keep current regarding any federal changes which may affect their eligibility for financial assistance. Students must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to receive federal financial aid: . must.be.admitted.to.AWC . must.be.a.U.S..citizen.or.eligible.non-citizen, . must. have. high. school. diploma. or. GED. or. the. equivalency. of. a. high. school. diploma. or. pass. a. federally.approved.examination . must.not.be.in.default.of.a.student.loan . must. not. have. exceeded. the. established. AWC. loan. limit.of.$15,000 . returning.or.continuing.students.must.meet.the.satisfactory.progress.criteria When should students apply? In order to receive financial aid for the following academic year, students are advised to complete their application for financial aid and submit all required paperwork to the Financial Aid Office by early April. Check the FAFSA website for the exact dates. Students enrolling for the Spring Semester must meet the December 1 priority filing deadline. Students must use the federal Student Aid Form available in high school counseling offices, the AWC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, and any of AWCs education centers. How is financial aid calculated? The basic premise upon which financial aid programs are based is that the primary responsibility rests with the student and the parents to pay college expenses to the extent that the family is able to do so. The analysis of a familys financial strength includes consideration of current family income, assets, family size, number of children in college, retirement allowance, uninsured medical and/or dental expenses, and any other factors which seriously alter a familys financial strength. Financial aid programs are designed to supplement family resources by bridging the gap between cost and the familys measured ability to pay. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office uses the information received from the federal financial aid processors in determining need and eligibility. How much do I qualify for? College Cost (minus) Expected Family Contribution Eligibility The various programs may be divided into four broad tcategories: grants/scholarships, loans, employment, and other benefits. Grants are gift assistance usually based on academic achievement. Gift aid funds do not have to be repaid. Loans must be repaid with interest at a future date, usually commencing six months after leaving school. Employment is working during the academic year for the money needed. Other benefits include Veterans, railroad retirement, Social Security benefits, etc. What documents must be sent to AWC? Documents that are required for students applying for financial aid include the students federal income tax return and student data form. The student data form can be downloaded from the financial aid website at http:// www.azwestern.edu/finaid.com If the student did not file federal income taxes, an income statement is required. Students may also be required to submit signed copies of their parents federal tax returns and/or nontaxable income information such as Social Security benefits, military housing, and other non-taxable income. Additional documents may also be requested. What happens after I apply? Once you have submitted an application for federal financial aid, you will receive a response from FAFSA within two to four weeks, depending on whether you applied electronically or mailed in a paper FAFSA. Once you have received a response from FAFSA, students are asked to contact the Financial Aid Office immeadiately to ensure results are valid and you meet all other eligibility requirements. If you have any questions regarding the status of your Financial Aid application, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (928) 344-7634.

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