{"id":2485,"date":"2025-04-07T15:00:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T15:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/?page_id=2485"},"modified":"2026-02-03T14:34:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:34:40","slug":"steps-to-apply-for-financial-aid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/steps-to-apply-for-financial-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Steps to Apply for Financial Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column intro-box is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Please note that ALL items from EVERY step MUST be completed before:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The student will be held in classes by the Financial Aid Office without a payment being made<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any financial aid is applied to the student\u2019s account; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any bookstore vouchers are issued<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Step 1: Make sure the Student Services Center receives ALL the following:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Application for Admission with an Academic Goal of \u201cDegree- or Certificate-Seeking\u201d as students must be pursuing a certificate or degree to receive financial aid <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">AND<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official High School transcript sent directly from the student\u2019s high school <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">OR<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official HSE\/GED certificate and scores sent from the state where HSE\/GED was issued <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">OR<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official homeschool transcript with date of graduation, CGPA, and overall credit count <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">AND<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official college transcripts from ALL colleges previously attended, including Dual Credit, sent directly from those institution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete placement testing, as needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Step 2: Apply for an FSA ID (create an account on <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/\">www.studentaid.gov<\/a>)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>One or both parents must also apply for an FSA ID if the student is dependent*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The FSA ID will allow the student and parent(s)\/contributor(s) to electronically sign the FAFSA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FSA ID must be linked to an email address and using the secure code which is emailed to that account is required for activation (the student &amp; parent\/contributor must have different email addresses)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The FSA ID should not be shared with <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>anyone<\/strong><\/span> and will be used <strong><em>EACH YEAR<\/em><\/strong> for re-application<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Step 3: Fill out the FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Complete the FAFSA by selecting \u201cStart New Form\u201d at <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/\">www.studentaid.gov<\/a> and list 91ÊÓƵ federal school code: <strong>008862<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remember the first \u201cF\u201d in FAFSA stands for \u201cFree!\u201d There is no cost to apply for federal student aid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The student will need records of income earned from the appropriate tax year. <strong>You will also need records of your parent&#8217;s\/contributor\u2019s income information if you are a dependent student.*<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For the 2026-2027 FAFSA form, the status of your application will be one of the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Draft:<\/strong> Your section of the FAFSA form is incomplete.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In Progress:<\/strong> You provided your consent, approval, and signature to your section of the FAFSA form, but the FAFSA form has not been submitted yet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In Review:<\/strong> The FAFSA form was submitted but not processed yet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Action Required:<\/strong> You are missing your consent and approval or signature; or the FAFSA form was processed, but a correction is required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Processed:<\/strong> Your application was processed successfully. No further action is needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Closed:<\/strong> Your FAFSA form was never submitted and can no longer be submitted because the Federal FAFSA deadline passed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column dependent-student is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">*Definition of a dependent student (2026\/2027)<\/span><\/strong><br>Anyone who answers \u201c<strong>No<\/strong>\u201d to all the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:upper-alpha\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Were you born before January 1, 2001?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As of today, are you married?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the beginning of the 2025\/2026 school year, will you be working on a master\u2019s or doctorate program?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At any time <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">since you turned age 13<\/span>, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As determined by a court in your legal state of residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As determined by a court in your legal state of residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At any time on or after July 1, 2024, were you unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Step 4: Return all required documents to the Financial Aid Office (see priority deadlines below)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In approximately 2 to 6 weeks the student will receive a <strong>Student Aid Report (SAR)<\/strong> or student acknowledgement by mail or e-mail. This report may state that further information is required to process the application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit corrections to the application or documents requested to the Financial Aid Office.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If selected for verification, the student will be required to submit the following to the Financial Aid Office:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A copy of the student\u2019s (and spouse\u2019s, if married) signed <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>2024 IRS tax return<\/strong><\/span> and <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">W-2s<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A copy of the parent(s) signed <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2024 IRS tax return<\/span><\/strong> and <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">W-2s<\/span><\/strong> if the student is dependent*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Independent \u201cnon-tax filers\u201d must have a verification of non-tax filing letter from the IRS and<br>2024 W2\u2019s from all jobs worked<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you, your spouse\/contributor or your parent(s)\/contributor(s) (if dependent) filed an amended<br>tax return, you will also need to submit your 2023 IRS 1040X Form<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete the <strong>2026-2027<\/strong> verification worksheet assigned to you by the Financial Aid Office<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other non-taxable income documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional information may be required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Step 5: If a change needs to be made to the FAFSA:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If a change needs to be made to the FAFSA after the SAR is received or verification is complete, an electronic correction will need to be made by the Financial Aid Office (this can take up to 2 weeks and may change the student\u2019s financial aid eligibility)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Information about Specific Programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity aqua-hr\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Work-Study<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Requires a work study application for employment (in addition to the FAFSA). Job openings are posted with the Human Resources Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Student Loans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Complete counseling requirement and MPN and fill out the appropriate paperwork (after steps 1-5 have been completed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Institutional and Foundation Scholarships<br><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/eastcentral.awardspring.com\/\">https:\/\/eastcentral.awardspring.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All students are required to complete the on-line scholarship application to be considered for a scholarship \u2013 those students who complete their on-line scholarship application and their FAFSA by the December 1st priority deadline are giving first consideration for scholarships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In-coming freshman must submit their 6th semester high school transcript by December 1st to be considered for academic and other specific scholarships (this does not apply to those who have already graduated from high school)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A+ Program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Upon graduation from the student\u2019s high school, request an official transcript to be sent directly to the registration office at 91ÊÓƵ. <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Make sure the transcript sent has an A+ seal.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are responsible for signing and returning the \u201cA+ Agreement\u201d form to the Financial Aid Office <strong>before the A+ funding can be applied to your account<\/strong>. You are only required to submit this form one time. The form can be picked up at the Financial Aid Office or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/forms\/\">Financial Aid Forms and Applications<\/a> page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>VA Benefits<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/benefits.va.gov\/gibill\">https:\/\/benefits.va.gov\/gibill<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New students must do a one-time Application for Education Benefits through the VA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Veterans should notify the school VA Certifying Official each semester they enroll.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Report any changes in enrollment or declared major to the VA Certifying Official.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If eligible, a student may be held in classes under the Chapter 33 Post 9\/11 GI Bill\u00ae\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>GI Bill\u00ae is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)<\/em>. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.benefits.va.gov\/gibill\">http:\/\/www.benefits.va.gov\/gibill<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column deadline-box is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong><em>Priority Deadlines:<\/em><\/strong> Students who submit their Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) and requested documentation on or before the following priority deadlines, and are eligible to receive benefits, will be held in classes. All documents must be received by the financial aid office no later than:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\" tabindex=\"0\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Fall<\/td><td>July 1st<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Spring<\/td><td>December 1st<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Summer<\/td><td>May 1st<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>After Priority Deadlines:<\/em><\/strong> Students who submit their Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) after the above priority deadlines should set up a payment plan by logging into their My91ÊÓƵ account to ensure that their classes will not be cancelled on the day fees are due. Students should allow 4 to 6 weeks for the processing of financial aid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.intro-box, .deadline-box {\n  border: 1px solid #333333;\n  padding: 20px 20px 0px;\n}\n.dependent-student {\n  background-color: #f8f8f8;\n  padding: 20px 20px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Please note that ALL items from EVERY step MUST be completed before: Step 1: Make sure the Student Services Center receives ALL the following: Step 2: Apply for an FSA ID (create an account on www.studentaid.gov) Step 3: Fill out the FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) For the 2026-2027 FAFSA form, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-2485","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2485"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2485\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2969,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2485\/revisions\/2969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=2485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}