How to Apply for Financial Aid:

 

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for the federal and state financial aid. Eligibility is based on financial need and other factors. Your eligibility is determined by the information you provide on the FAFSA. Do not assume that your income was too high and fail to complete the form. FAFSA worksheets are available from the Financial Aid Office or on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There is no charge to file the FAFSA--it's FREE!!

RCC's School Code 005464

 

Basic eligibility requirements:

• Demonstrate financial need
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security Number (SSN)
• Be working toward a degree or diploma in an eligible program (Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate and Welding Certificate are not eligible)
• Show, by one of the following means, that you are qualified to obtain a postsecondary education:
• Have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
• Complete a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law
• If you are male between the ages of 18 and 25 you will need to register (if you haven't already) with the Selective Service.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress once enrolled in college.

 

Gather the information required to apply

• Your Social Security number and your parent(s)' Social Security numbers if you are providing parent information.
• Your driver's license number if you have one.
• Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. citizen.
• Federal tax information or tax returns, including W-2 information, for yourself, for your spouse if you are married, and for your parent(s)' if you are providing parent information, using income records for the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying. If possible, have the necessary income tax returns finished so you can complete the FAFSA more easily and accurately. Example: If you are applying for the 2010 - 2011 year, you will need your 2009 Federal Tax Returns.
• Records of untaxed income, such as Disability benefits and veterans benefits, for yourself (and for your parent(s)' if you are providing parent information); and information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for yourself (and for your parent(s)' if you are providing parent information).

 

Tax Questions
How do I answer the tax questions if I (or my parents) do not file a tax return?

• If you will not file a tax return: Answer "Will Not File" to question 33 (Have you completed a tax return?). You will then be taken to question 39 (Income earned from work). Enter any income that you earned from a job that is listed as taxable on a W2 form. Answer only those income questions that apply to you from that point on.
• If your parents will not file a tax return: Answer "Will Not File" to question 80 (Have your parents filed a tax return?). You will then be taken to question 87 (income earned from work). Enter any income that your parents earned from a job that is listed as taxable on aW2 form. Answer only those income questions that apply to your parents from that point on.