Financial aid may be available to help make education possible. Financial aid offices can help students apply for grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.They also provide information on eligibility requirements, student rights and responsibilities in receiving aid, requirements for maintaining aid, planning a budget, and other financial concerns.

Seattle Central Community College	206.934.3844
North Seattle Community College	206.934.3688
South Seattle Community College	206.934.5317
Seattle Vocational Institute	206.934.4978

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College Expenses

Student expenses include estimates of all school and basic college living expenses for the academic year (fall, winter, and spring quarters). Information on student budgets can be found in the Consumer Information brochure available at each campus.

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Determination of Financial Aid

Using information provided on financial aid forms, a determination is made of the amount a student is expected to contribute toward his or her expenses for the academic year. The amount a student can pay is subtracted from the cost of attendance to determine the amount of aid.

Eligibility
To be eligible for financial aid, a student must:

• Be a citizen, naturalized citizen, refugee, or immigrant to the United States.
• Have a high school diploma, a GED certificate, or demonstrate the ability to benefit from the educational program pursued.
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
• Enroll in an approved certificate or degree program and take required coursework.
• Be registered with the Selective Service, if required.
• Not owe a refund or repayment on prior financial aid received, or have a student loan in default at these or prior colleges attended.
• Make satisfactory academic progress as defined by each campus.

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Maintaining Eligibility
Students are required to make satisfactory academic progress in their chosen course of study. Students are advised to check with the campus Financial Aid Office for requirements. MORE >

Types of Financial Aid
Three basic kinds of financial aid are available for students. Financial aid may consist of one or more of:

1. GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, & WAIVERS: Students do not repay grants, scholarships and waivers. Grants include Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and Washington State Need Grant (SNG).
   A variety of scholarships are offered. Amounts, eligibility criteria and deadlines vary. Check with the Financial Aid Office for information and application forms.
2. EMPLOYMENT: Work-study programs provide part-time employment.
3. LOANS: Contact the campus Financial Aid Office for other loan programs.

Financial Aid for Veterans is covered below. MORE >

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Apply at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be certain to complete the application according to instructions. Students may also pick up a paper application packet from the Financial Aid Office.

When to Apply
All application documents must be accurately completed and delivered to the Financial Aid Office by the published deadline date. For exact dates see the "Deadline" section of the Consumer Information brochure available at each campus. To apply, students should first file their tax returns and then begin the application process at least three months before the quarter begins. It is recommended that the student begin this process as soon as possible. MORE >

Students need to apply only once each school year, but they must reapply every year of attendance. Applications are processed in the order received. Late applicants must plan to pay for their own tuition by the tuition deadline and purchase their own books so that they are ready to begin class on the first day of school. Aid will be disbursed later in the quarter to eligible, late-aid applicants. MORE >

Notification
Students are mailed a financial aid notification letter indicating award types and amount per quarter. It is important to read the award notice carefully, sign and return it to the Financial Aid Office. (South does not require students to complete this step.) Students are also notified by letter if they are ineligible for financial aid. MORE >

Disbursement of Funds
Financial aid grants and tuition waivers are first applied to tuition and fees charged at cashiering. Any remaining balance of grants and loans is disbursed to the student in the form of a check. Work-study awards are disbursed through a payroll check every two weeks as the money is earned. Each campus gives detailed instructions regarding disbursement of funds.

Students receiving support from outside agencies should make certain the agency has sent its authorization to the Financial Aid Office at least a week before the tuition payment deadline. MORE >

Withdrawal Penalties
If a student withdraws from school or drops more than the required credits to maintain aid, financial aid stops. Tuition refunds are not returned to the student but credited to the appropriate financial aid account. In the case of official withdrawal, students may be required to repay a percentage of their cash disbursement and/or tuition and fees. If a student drops out without notifying the school, he/she may be billed for the entire amount. Repayment is required before receiving consideration for any further aid, to register for future quarters, or to have transcripts released to another institution. Students should contact the campus Financial Aid Office for details. MORE >

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Veterans Financial Assistance

Veteran's Affairs Offices
Central & SVI	206.934.4147
North	206.934.3699
South	206.934.5811

The Veterans' Affairs Offices provide services to help veterans and eligible dependents receive and maintain VA educational benefits while in school. Benefits handled by college staff include the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Veterans Education Assistance Program/VEAP, Benefits Program for Dependents and Widows, Selective Reserve Assistance Program, Vocational Rehabilitation Program and others. The office maintains attendance records and monitors academic progress, provides tutorial and work-study benefits for some veterans, makes counseling referrals for academic or personal problems, and approves eligibility for tuition discounts for eligible veterans, their spouses and/or their dependents.

To receive benefits, students must contact the Veterans' Affairs campus office prior to the beginning of the academic quarter. If students are transferring from another school or are applying through the Veterans Administration, they must also contact the office to ensure all application requirements have been met. All veterans must apply for a credentials evaluation as soon as possible and notify the office immediately of any changes in address, program, dependents, enrollment, etc.

It is important that students be aware of all requirements outlined by the college and the Department of Veteran's Affairs to fulfill educational objectives. Veterans and eligible dependents receiving benefits are required to maintain specific academic standards in order to retain benefits. Some classes or courses of study are not certifiable for benefits. MORE >

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