Financial aid is funding that will help you and your family meet college expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, etc. The basic sources of aid are grants, scholarships, and employment. You and your parents (if you are dependent) are considered the primary sources of funding for these costs. Financial aid is intended to fill the gaps where you and your parents might fall short in paying for your education.

Follow these steps to apply for financial aid at SCC:

1. 1. Apply for admissions to SCC. All students who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete a FAFSA. Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year using your/your parent’s prior year federal tax information. SCC’s priority filing date for the federal processing center to receive your FAFSA is March 15. FAFSAs received by the priority filing date are given first consideration for federal and state financial aid programs that have limited funds. The toll free phone number for the federal processing center is 1-800-433-3243.Priority Date to file the FAFSA: March 15
   2. Retain the printout of your confirmation page after submitting your FAFSA online. This is your proof that you applied. You should also retain a copy of the information you submitted for your files.
   3. Receive processing confirmation/report. You should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating that your FAFSA has been processed and sent to the institutions you designated, in the case that you did not provide an email address. Check the SAR for accuracy and make sure that SCC is listed as a recipient of your information. Those who did provide an email address should receive notice via email that their FAFSA has been received and processed.
   4. Submit all requested paperwork. Upon receipt of your FAFSA data from the Department of Education, we will mail you a letter requesting documents needed to complete your file. Submit all requested documentation promptly. You may be asked to submit verification documentation to complete your financial aid application. If you are not eligible for the grant programs, you must still submit all requested documents to be eligible for other aid, including scholarships or work-study.
   5. Acknowledge receipt of award. Financial aid award letters are mailed to those students whose files are complete by the priority date. By meeting the priority deadline, you are assured that your request for aid will be processed before the tuition payment deadline for the upcoming semester.

Financial Aid Disbursement

Financial aid is awarded by the SCC Financial Aid Office, but is disbursed by the SCC Business Office. Aid awards made for the academic year are disbursed in two installments, one each semester, assuming you are registered for the number of hours on which your financial aid award was based. Financial aid refunds are mailed to the student’s permanent address. Refund checks are disbursed approximately  five weeks after the first day of class and every 15 days after the first disbursement.

Summer School and Financial Aid

Funding for summer school is limited to students who have remaining Pell eligibility not used during the previous fall and/or the current spring of the given academic year.