Gadsden State Community College
Current Students
Financial Aid FAQS
Do I need an appointment? No. Normal operating hours are 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday. However, during peak times the hours will be adjusted as follows to expedite the processing of student files: 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; and 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. To avoid excessive wait time for students, lines will be closed at an appropriate time to allow students to be served by the published closing time.
Is there a deadline to apply? Not really, but the priority date is April 15th for the upcoming school year. However, to ensure financial aid processing prior to the beginning of classes, FAFSAs must be completed at least 15 business days prior to the first day of the term, and all verification documents must be received at least 10 business days prior to the first day of the term.
How do I apply for federal financial aid? Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov. Simply add our college code (001017), and your application will be sent to Gadsden State. The Financial Aid Office will mail you a Document Tracking letter letting you know what is needed to complete your file. Turn in all documents/forms requested to the Financial Aid Office. We will review your information and make corrections if necessary. Next, your file will be finalized and an award letter will be mailed to the address you provided on your FAFSA.
I’m nervous about completing the FAFSA online. Can I apply another way? The online application process has been simplified and is relatively user-friendly. It is the quickest way to apply. If you don’t have access to a computer, there are computers available for you to use on our campus or at your local library. Paper copies are available by calling 1-800-433-3243. Paper applications have to be mailed to the Federal Student Aid Programs.
Why was I selected for verification? The Federal Processing Center randomly selects applicants and requires the college to verify the information provided. Again, it is a random process and does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong.
My parents are divorced. Whose information do I need for the FAFSA? The parent with whom you lived the most during the past year should complete the FAFSA with you. If you did not live with either parent or lived equally with each parent, use the information of the parent who provided you with the most financial support. (It does not make a difference which parent claims you as a dependent for tax purposes.) Remember, you will need to enter the step-parent’s personal and tax information as well if the parent you live with has remarried.
I do not get along with my parents or live with them. I pay my own rent and bills. Can I apply without my parent's income? Until you are 24 years old or can answer “yes” to at least one question in Step 3 of the FAFSA, the Federal Government requires that you enter your parent’s personal and tax information.
I know I won’t qualify for a Pell Grant. Do I still need to complete the FAFSA application? Yes, especially if you are interested in Federal Work Study, a scholarship, or a private student loan.
How will I know how much I will receive in Financial Aid? You will receive an Award Letter letting you know the amount you will receive per semester.
Do I have to attend full time to receive Pell Grant funds? Full-time enrollment is not required to receive Federal Pell Grant. If you attend less than full-time, your award will be decreased accordingly.
When can I purchase books? Bookstore purchases can be charged to your financial aid as of the first day of class – once you have begun attendance.
Will I have Financial Aid for Summer? If you are Pell-eligible and have aid remaining for the award year (did not receive a full Pell award for the Fall and Spring semesters, at Gadsden State or from another college) and you are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), you should be eligible for Summer funds.
What if I have funds remaining after institutional charges (tuition, books, etc.)? Remaining funds will be mailed two weeks after the drop/add period ends. Checks will be mailed to the address on file in the Records Office. Since the address you listed on your FAFSA may not be the same as the one on file with Records, it is recommended you confirm with the Records office that your address is correct.
What departments should I notify if I move? Always update your address in the Records Office and in the Financial Aid Office when you move. Checks are mailed to the address you have in Records.
Can I pick up my Pell check? No. It is College policy that all checks are mailed.
What if I don’t receive my check? You should wait two weeks from the date your check mailed in order to allow sufficient time for the Post Office to deliver the check to you or for the check to be returned to us if it is not deliverable. Once the two weeks have passed, please contact the Financial Aid Office if you would like to request a stop payment on your check and for another check to be issued.
Why was the amount of my check incorrect? Several issues may have caused your check to be reduced. Awards may be decreased for non-attendance. If your instructor indicated on the roll that you never attended class, funds will be reduced. Also if you are enrolled for a class outside of your major, this could cause your funds to be decreased. In addition, if you are taking a class that begins later in the term (Mini II), your award will be decreased until you begin attendance.
I am on Warning. Can I register early for classes? Your financial aid (Pell Grant/Loan) cannot be applied until grades have officially posted for the classes you are currently taking and until your SAP has been re-evaluated. Of course, if you want to register for classes before grades are officially posted, you can if you make payment.
I received a letter stating I am on Warning. Why? If a student fails to achieve the required cumulative GPA or does not successfully complete the required percentage of hours, he/she will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Also, those students who are accepted for admissions to the College under Academic Probation will be placed on financial aid warning. Warning will be lifted in a subsequent term if the student attains the required cumulative GPA and successfully completes the required percentage of hours. You can still receive Pell funds for the semester in which your warning begins.
I received a letter stating I have lost eligibility. Why? If a student fails to complete a program within the maximum time frame allowed or does not attain SAP by the end of the financial aid warning, he/she will have lost financial aid eligibility. The student may regain eligibility for financial aid during subsequent terms if he/she makes SAP or if the student files an appeal and the Financial Aid Appeal Committee reinstates eligibility. If placed on academic suspension, a student in NOT eligible to receive financial aid for the duration of suspension, even if he/she is readmitted to the College upon academic appeal. The student may gain eligibility for financial aid when SAP is obtained.
How does the Appeal process work? If a student is on Financial Aid Loss of Eligibility, the student may file an appeal by submitting a Financial Aid Appeal Form and required documentation to the Financial Aid Office. These forms are available in the Gadsden State Financial Aid Office and online at www.gadsdenstate.edu. If an appeal is approved, the approval is applicable for one semester only.