How to apply?

The first step is to complete the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID - "FAFSA." All students applying for federal student aid, even if only applying for a Federal Family Educational Loan, must complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid. There is no fee for processing the FAFSA. The application is free, and only requires about 40 minutes to an hour to complete. A Central Processor processes the FAFSA and sends the result to the students in a report call the Student Aid Report "SAR." Also, you may contact the financial aid office of the HCC college you plan to attend to find out if your application can be processed electronically. In this instance you will receive an "Electronic SAR" or (ESAR) from the college.

The Student Aid Report (SAR) is a multiple-part report which is sent to the student in the mail from the Central Processors. This report tells the student whether he/she is eligible for a Pell Grant and is used by the financial aid office to determine for other student aid. You should expect a SAR in the mail about four weeks after submitting your FAFSA. An "Electronic SAR" or (ESAR) may be processed in 7 to 10 working days. You may also visit FAFSA Express to complete your application process via computer.

To complete the FAFSA you should have all important documents. You will need to have copies of the current year's income tax return because you must use certain figures from specific lines on the tax return to apply. 

Refer to:

• your tax return (independent students),
• your and your parents tax return (if applying as a dependent student), and
• your and your spouse's tax return (if you apply as a married student).

Dependent Students are those who are under the age of 24 and parents or guardians have claimed them on current tax return.  Also dependent students are those who do not meet the federal definition of an independent student.  Dependent students must report parental information FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.

Independent Students are:

• 24 years old (born before 1/1/73), or
• veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, or
• graduates or professional students, or
• married or have legal dependent other than a spouse, or
• orphans or ward of the court.

Note: Even if you, your spouse, and/or your parents are not required to file an income tax return, you will need to provide W'2 from sources to which you received income for the year. (i.e., social security, FDIC etc.)