HowToApply-SFS-MTC

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Steps to Apply for Financial Aid
To Apply for Federal Title IV Assistance and State Assistance, you must:
1.	You should request a PIN before you file the FAFSA -- (www.pin.ed.gov).
2.	Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
3.	Demonstrate Financial Need (except for certain loan programs and lottery tuition assistance).
4.	Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate, or have passed the COMPASS or ASSET test, which is administered by Midlands Technical College. Contact the Assessment Office for details.
5.	Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program of study.
6.	Be a U. S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen
7.	Have a valid Social Security Number.
8.	Make satisfactory academic progress according to Student Financial Services Office standards. SAP Standards
9.	Check your campus cruiser email throughout the semester for important financial aid information.
10.	In order to receive financial aid, you must complete the Admissions process.
Note:	You should save all records and other materials used in applying for aid because you may need them later if you are selected for a process called "verification."

How To Apply
Applying for Financial Aid
	To apply for financial aid programs, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. Financial Aid is not automatically renewable. You should complete and submit your FAFSA as soon as you complete your Federal Tax Return for that year. You will need a copy of your Federal Tax Return, W2s and information on untaxed income (i.e. SSI, TANF, WIC and Food Stamp) to complete your FAFSA. If you are not required to file taxes, submit your FAFSA each year as soon after January 1st as possible. There is a FAFSA worksheet available in the Student Financial Services office on either campus. This worksheet can be used as a guide to completing the FAFSA.

There are two ways to File the FAFSA
Midlands Technical College School Code is 003993

We strongly recommend you complete your FAFSA online. The electronic version reduces errors and is processed faster than the paper version.

On-Line	By Mail
You should request a PIN before you file the FAFSA -- (www.pin.ed.gov). If you are a dependent student, the parent signing your application will also need a PIN. Note that it will take a few days to receive your PIN.	You can complete a paper FAFSA. This form is available on either campus.
The FAFSA form should be completed online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Your information is submitted directly to the Central Processing System.	Mail it to the Federal Student Aid Programs in the envelope provided with the application.
Signing the FAFSA
Your FAFSA may be SIGNED electronically using your PIN. Signatures are required from you and your parent if you are a Dependent Student. Your parent can also sign the FAFSA electronically using their own PIN number. If you choose not to sign the FAFSA electronically, you will need to print the Signature Page, both you and your parent sign it and mail it to the address on the printed form within 7 days.	Sign your application before mailing. Signatures are required from you and your parent if you are a Dependent Student.
If you Do Not sign your FAFSA the Central Processing System will not process your application and the Student Financial Services Office will not receive your information electronically. This will cause a delay in processing your Financial Aid.
Response Time
The Response Time for electronic filers is usually 1-3 weeks. If you do not receive a response in 3 weeks, call the Central Processing System at 1-800-433-3243 to check on the status of your application.	This Response Time is usually 4-6 weeks. If you do not receive a response in 6 weeks, call the Central Processing System at 1-800-433-3243 to check on the status of your application.
You Will Receive
You will receive an e-mail with a link to review your Student Aid Report (SAR) and a paper SAR from the Central Processing System. This report lists the information you submitted on your FAFSA as well as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. This number is used to determine your eligibility.	You will receive a paper Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail. This report lists the information you submitted on your FAFSA as well as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. This number is used to determine your eligibility.
Review the data on the SAR for accuracy. If you need to make corrections, follow the instructions on the SAR carefully. Submit any correct data electronically and sign with your PIN.	Review the data on the SAR for accuracy. If you need to make corrections, follow the instructions on the SAR carefully. We recommend that you submit any correct data electronically and sign with your PIN.
Not correcting a SAR as soon as possible may cause delays in processing a student's financial aid. If no corrections are required, retain your SAR for your records. We will receive your record electronically from the federal processor.

Application Process
	No financial aid award can be made until you have completed the application process. A complete application is defined as received, reviewed, and found free from errors or not requiring additional information for verification. If you are selected for Verification by the Central Processing System, you will be required to submit certain documents to the Student Financial Services Office to verify your financial status. All Midlands Technical College students are provided with a free campus cruiser email address. You will be notified by E-MAIL if we require additional documentation. You should submit a copy of the required documentation. Originals will not be returned. (With the exception of citizenship documents, federal regulations require we see the original document to verify citizenship status.)

	Dependent Students selected for Verification are required to submit the following documents to SFS:
	--	Dependent Verification Form (signed by student and parent).
	--	A signed copy of student and parent prior year Federal Income Tax Return with a copy of all W2s. If you are not required to file income taxes or need to request a copy, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040 to complete a form 4506T.
	--	Any untaxed income documents (i.e. Social Security statements, etc.).

	Independent Students selected for Verification are required to submit the following documents to SFS:
	--	Independent Verification Form (signed by student).
	--	A signed copy of your prior year Federal Income Tax Return with a copy of all W2s. If you are married, a copy of your spouse's prior year signed Federal taxes. If you are not required to file income taxes or need to request a copy, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040 to complete a form 4506T.
	--	Any untaxed income documents (i.e. Social Security Statements, etc.).

	What Happens when Student Financial Services (SFS) receives your documents?
	--	Allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
	--	Check status by logging on to MTC OnLine at (www.midlandstech.edu/mtconline) and/or your campus cruiser e-mail for any information regarding your status two week after receiving your SAR, please contact the SFS Office. It is extremely important that you check your campus cruiser email. Failure to do so on a regular basis could result in a delay in processing your awards or a loss of eligibility for financial assistance.
	--	If corrections are required as a result of verification the SFS office will submit the corrections electronically. Allow 7-10 days for corrections to be processed by the Central Processing System.

Financial Aid Awards
	Once your file is complete, you will receive a financial aid award by e-mail. You may also view your awards online: www.midlandstech.edu/mtconline. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the time the award is made. The award notification will list the type(s) and amount(s) of assistance you will receive. For some state programs, you will be required to sign a certification affidavit form and return it to the Student Financial Services Office prior to disbursement. This form will be mailed to you. Remember all initial awards are estimates based on how you answered the FAFSA question regarding enrollment status. Changes in enrollment may result in a change to your award. Enrollment status is verified and awards adjusted after the first week of classes. Please view our Student Financial Services website for more detailed information such as types of awards and award eligibility.

	Once Your File Has Been Awarded:
	1.	You will receive a paper award letter and/or an e-mail notification.
	2.	If you do not want to accept all or part of the award, you must mark through the awards you wish to decline on the award letter, sign the award letter and return it to the Student Financial Service Office.

	All financial aid awards are subject to change if the information upon which they were based changes or federal regulations require a change. You will be notified by e-mail of any changes. We recommend you check your student account balance online, www.midlandstech.edu/mtconline prior to the fee payment deadline each semester.
Bookstore:
	1.	If your federal and/or state awards are greater than your student account balance you may be able to charge books at the bookstore against your financial aid. Check your account balance at www.midlandstech.edu/mtconline if you have a credit balance, a portion of that credit balance may be available in the Bookstore.
	2.	No Bookstore Charges are allowed after the posted deadline. See our financial aid calendar for deadline dates. Books for the full Fall term and the 10 week session must be purchased during the first bookstore purchase window. Students enrolled in Fall II and Spring II must purchase their books during the posted dates.

Deadlines:
	To receive priority and maximum consideration for all forms of aid, you should complete the application process by April 15th. Some funds are limited and are awarded based on eligibility criteria and FAFSA submission date. Tuition and fees are due in full prior to the end of fee payment for each term. If your financial aid award fully covers your account balance, no further action is required. If however, your tuition and fees are less than your balance, you must pay the difference by the close of business on the last day to pay fees. Failure to do so may result in your entire schedule being cancelled even if financial aid covered a portion of your balance. The purge process is not to be used in lieu of withdrawing from courses you no longer plan to attend. If you do not officially withdraw from a class, you may be held liable for the associated tuition and fees for the course.

Financial Aid Disbursements
	All aid you are eligible for, with the exception of a Federal Work Study award, will be credited to your student account. If a credit balance occurs after applying tuition, fees, and any other authorized charges, the Finance Office will issue a check approximately 30 days after the first day of class. The check will be mailed to your home address (IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UPDATE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IN THE RECORDS OFFICE).
Tips
	1.	Memorize your student ID and give that number instead of your social security number to college personnel.
	2.	Remember to file your FAFSA every year and file early.
	3.	Check your campus cruiser email account frequently.
	4.	Check your account balance at www.midlandstech.edu/mtconline prior to the fee payment deadline.
	5.	Officially withdraw from classes you no longer plan on attending.