The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only government-approved application for determining your eligibility for aid. The FAFSA is available online, from high schools, or from any campus Financial Aid Office. If you list the ACC school code (003539), we will download your information electronically from the Federal Central Processing Center. We will contact you via the email address on file with the college if additional information or documents are needed.

Financial Aid Deadlines:

If your FAFSA is not received by the Priority Deadline, your aid may not be available for tuition and feel payment. Be prepared to use personal funds for payment.

Fall Semester                April 1st

Spring Semester          October 1st

Summer Semester      March 1st

Step 1:  Complete the Admissions Process

• Complete an ACC Admissions application.  You must be fully admitted in order for your financial aid eligibility to be determined. 
• Submit official transcripts from all previous schools.
• File a degree or certificate plan with an Academic Advisor

Step 2:  PIN Number    

You must obtain a PIN to electronically sign the FAFSA. For a dependent student, your parents should also apply for a PIN now so that they can electronically sign the FAFSA. For those who do not already have a PIN, one can be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov. Please note, any FAFSA that has not been submitted with the required signature(s) will be rejected by the Department of Education and cannot be processed.

Step 3:  Complete the FAFSA

Please complete the appropriate FAFSA. 

• 2010-2011 FAFSA for the Fall 2010, Spring 2011, and Summer 2011 semesters.  You need your (and your parents' if applicable) 2009 federal tax return and income to complete the application.
• 2011-2012 FAFSA for the Fall 2011, Spring 2012, and Summer 2012 semesters.  You need your (and your parents' if applicable) 2010 federal tax return and income to complete the application. 

Step 4:  Submit all required documents to the ACC Enrollment Services Center (Bldg. A)

ALL financial aid applicants must complete the following forms:

• Application for Financial Assistance
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
• Print a copy of your financial aid history (Financial Aid Review) from the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).  You will need your FAFSA PIN.
• Signed copy of your and your spouse's (if married) tax return used to complete the FAFSA.  All W2s, worksheets, and schedules must be attached.
• Signed copy of your parents' (dependent students only)  tax return used to complete the FAFSA.  All W2s, worksheets, and schedules must be attached.
• Verification Worksheet - If you were required to provide parent income information on the FAFSA, please choose the Dependent Verification Worksheet.  If you were not required to provide parent income information on the FAFSA, please choose the Independent Verification Worksheet.

The Financial Aid Office is required to resolve and document any conflicting information on your FAFSA.  Additional documents that may be required:

• Proof of income and non-tax filing
• Confirmation of registration with Selective Service (males only)
• Proof of citizenship or INS/DHS status
• Proof of marital status (NOTE:  Texas only recognizes marital statuses of MARRIED and DIVORCED)
• Proof of child support received and/or paid
• Other documents as requested

I turned in all of my documents to Financial Aid...What do I do now?

• Check your email.  ACC’s only form of communication with students is email, and we only send email to the address that you have on file with the ESC. You will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office via email if we have questions about your application, need additional information, if you requested a student loan, or to provide you with other important information. Many of our emails are sent out as mass communications, so be sure to check your junk mail or spam folder and mark ACC emails as “safe”.
• Check WebAccess. Login to WebACCess to check your aid status, to register for classes, check your balance, and check if your refund has been sent to you.
• Only register for classes on your degree/certificate plan. Financial aid can only be used to pay for classes if they are needed for your ACC DEGREE/CERTIFICATE plan. Taking extra classes that are not required can prevent you from receiving aid. Please review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for details. Run a PROGRAM EVALUATION in WebACCessto determine which classes you need before you register each semester. Meet with an Academic Advisor if you have questions about which classes are required.
• Purchase your books and supplies. If you have money left over after your aid is applied to your tuition and fees, you may use the balance to purchase books and supplies (check WebACCessto determine your balance). There are two options to get your books and supplies:
  • Use your remaining balance at the ACC Bookstore. Check the Latest News section on the ACC Financial Aid website for dates that your aid will be available at the ACC Bookstore, OR,
  • Wait for your aid refund check to be mailed to you. Students with aid balances on the first day of class will have their refunds mailed first. Refund dates are posted to the Latest News section of the ACC Financial Aid website.
• Ask before dropping classes. Beginning the first day of class, dropping or withdrawing from classes can have a negative effect on your financial aid, and you may even owe money back to ACC or the federal government. You are responsible for meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements, so please review the policy for full details. Ask a Financial Aid Advisor before dropping or withdrawing from classes.
• Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.  Earning less than a “C” in your classes may have a negative effect of your financial aid, and you may even owe money back to ACC or the federal government. Grades of “F”, “I”, “IP”, “R”, and “S” can also prevent you from receiving aid. You are responsible for meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements, so please review the policy for full details.
• Ask before making changes to your FAFSA.  Adding an additional school to your FAFSA will not affect your eligibility (although you must cancel your aid at ACC before using it at another school). However, changes to your income, marital status, family members, or other data may change the amount of aid that you receive. Ask a Financial Aid Advisor before making changes to your FAFSA.

Eligibility
For specific eligibility requirements, you may view the Federal Student Guide at www.studentaid.ed.gov.

In general, to be eligible for financial aid, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, or an eligible non-citizen.
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or its recognized equivalent.
• Be enrolled in a certificate or degree program.
• Be making satisfactory academic progress.
• Not be in default of a federal or state student loan, nor owe a repayment on any federal grant.
• Meet requirements specific to the financial aid program for which the student is applying.
• Enroll for at least the minimum number of hours required by each program.
• Register with the Selective Service, if required (www.sss.gov).

Priority Processing
You must apply for financial aid each year. If you want to receive priority consideration, you should apply as soon as the FAFSA is available, usually after January 1, once you have filed your Federal Income Tax Return. All applications are batch processed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the availability of funds, with the students demonstrating the highest need receiving first consideration.

IF YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETE BY THE PRIORITY DATE, YOU WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN PROCESSING. AN APPLICATION IS CONSIDERED COMPLETE WHEN ALL DOCUMENTS NEEDED BY THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AND THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE ARE ON FILE; THE STUDENT AND/OR SPOUSE/PARENTS, IF APPLICABLE, HAVE PROVIDED COMPLETE AND CORRECT DATA; AND THE FILE HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

Contact Information
Financial Aid Office
Fax: 281.756.3840
Email: FA@alvincollege.edu