Policies & Procedures

Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Policies & Procedures > Finances > Financial Aid > Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)

Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

There are three ways you can complete the FAFSA:

  1. Online: Apply online at www.fafsa.gov. It’s fast, easy, and efficient. Before you complete the FAFSA, you must request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. If you are a dependent student, your parent will need to request a PIN as well. The PIN will act as your electronic signature.
  2. Renewal FAFSA: If you applied for financial aid during the previous academic year, you will be able to complete the Renewal FAFSA online. You can access your Renewal FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. However, you will need your PIN. You can request a PIN at http://www.pin.ed.gov. if you do not already have one.
  3. Paper Application: Complete a paper application and mail it to the processing agency. You can obtain a paper FAFSA by calling 1.800.433.3243 or by downloading a copy at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov

Helpful Tips

  1. You must complete a FAFSA each academic year.
  2. Do not wait until you have been admitted to the College to apply.
  3. You are allowed to complete the FAFSA after January 1st for the next academic year. First time applicants beginning their studies in the January (spring) semester should speak with the financial aid office about correct filing time.
  4. On the FAFSA, you must indicate Nassau Community College federal school code, which is 002873.
  5. Keep copies of all documents that you used to complete the FAFSA in case your application is selected for federal “verification”.Applicants should be prepared to submit verification documents (including IRS income tax tax return transcripts) to the Financial Aid Office upon request.

Why should everyone file a “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA)?

Nassau Community College’s Financial Aid Office recommends that every student complete a FAFSA because:

  • Every student is eligible for some type of financial assistance.
  • A FAFSA must be filed in order to receive any type of Federal or State financial aid, including loans.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an annual document used to collect information for determining need for aid. The information is confidential and is sent only to schools listed by the prospective student. By listing Nassau Community College along with the school code #002873, financial aid information is loaded into the College’s database electronically.

After you submit your F.A.F.S.A., you will be notified that your application was processed or if corrections were necessary. The college will receive the information electronically. The information provided on these forms determines the amount of the award(s). All awards are based on financial need and the cost of education.

The Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study Program (F.W.S.) and Federal Direct Loan Program base the amount of the award on enrolled credits. Any change of enrollment during the year can cause the amount of funding to be changed. Copies of Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Title IV (Federal) aid are available in the Financial Aid Office and are included in this section of the catalog.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Federal Grant Funds: Federal grant funds are first credited to students' accounts if they have any outstanding tuition and fee liability. Excess money is then sent directly to the student to reimburse him/her for education-related expenses that have been incurred. Excess federal funds are normally disbursed to the student after attendance is confirmed.

Federal Direct Loan Funds

Direct Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loan funds are sent directly to the College. Once the student's eligibility is recertified, money is disbursed. If the student owes any tuition and fee liability to the College, loan funds are generally the first source of funding used to credit the account. This is done as the loan funds become available.

Refund Policy for Federal Financial Aid Recipients

If a student totally withdraws from the College for a particular semester and was a federal financial aid recipient, the student is entitled to receive funding based on the percentage of the payment period (semester) that the student completed.

If the student completes more than 60.01% of the period, he or she earned 100% of the aid for that period of enrollment.

If the student completes 60% or less of the period of enrollment, the percentage of the period completed is the percentage of aid earned and eligible to receive. Any aid that is unearned as a result of totally withdrawing from the College at the 60% or less point of the semester must be returned to the Department of Education.

This policy applies to all students receiving federal aid during the fall, spring or summer semesters.