FINANCIAL AID: How to Apply

In order to receive financial aid you must:

1. Be admitted to Columbia State.
2. Have a complete financial aid file. If your file is complete you will receive an award notification, as well as, your awards will be on your financial aid account in self-service. Awards are subject to change due to: available funding, change in eligibility status or data processing errors.
3. Confirm that you are attending by going to myChargerNet.
4. Have a Title IV Authorization Form on file  
5. Be registered in a degree seeking program. Financial Aid will not pay for short-term certificates (less than 24 credit hours)
6. Attend class. Attendance in all classes is required before financial aid can be credited to your account.

To apply:

• STEP 1 -- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. April 15 is the priority deadline for upcoming semester. Applications are available at all Columbia State campuses and online at fafsa.ed.gov

  Helpful Hints when filling out the FAFSA:

  • Designate Columbia State (code number 003483) as the institution to receive the results of the FAFSA.
  • Be sure you are completing the FAFSA for the academic year you are planning to enroll.
  • Be sure to fill in every field according to the instructions on the FAFSA.
  • Make sure to use your legal name as it is shown on your social security card. Your name and ssn must match with the Social Security Administration. Any problems may require you to contact the SSA or our office. You will be informed on the proper action when you receive the results of your FAFSA.
  • Make sure to write your social security number and date of birth correctly.
  • Read every question carefully.
  • Count yourself as one of the persons in your family who will be a college student in the award year.
  • If your parents are divorced or separated, the parent with whom you lived the most during the past year is the parent whose information should be included on the FAFSA.
  • If this parent has remarried, your stepparent must report his/her income and assets on the FAFSA.
  • Keep a copy of your completed income tax return and W-2’s from the previous year.
  • Sign the form!! Make sure all the necessary people (spouse/parent) have also signed the form.

  Check completed FAFSA application.
  Review the application to make sure everything is complete and in the appropriate place. Be sure you sign the application and your social security number is correct.
  
  Submit the FAFSA application.
  You can submit the FAFSA electronically by going online to www.fafsa.ed.gov or by regular mail.

• STEP 2 -- Wait for the Federal Student Aid Report (FSAR). Within three to six weeks, you will receive the FSAR. Be sure to read the Comment Section of Part I for any special instructions.

• STEP 3 -- Complete additional applications if you are interested in scholarships, loans, and/or employment. Please see the Available Aid page for specific application deadlines and information.

• STEP 4 -- Columbia State will review your forms and applications, and may contact you regarding any paperwork required to complete your file.

• STEP 5 -- The college will mail you a letter of award. The letter will inform you of the type(s) and amount(s) of assistance you are eligible to receive for the academic year. You have the option to accept or decline any of the assistance offered.
  
  

How to Apply
Applications & Forms
Important Dates

Available Aid
Frequent Questions
Hope Lottery Scholarship
Policies and Notices
Tuition and Cost Info

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