Frequently Asked Questions
- I probably don't qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?
- Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid at a particular college?
- I sent in my FAFSA over four weeks ago but haven't heard anything. What should I do?
- Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
- My parents did not claim me on their tax returns this year. Can I file my FAFSA as an Independent student?
- I am an international student and have not obtained any kind of U.S. citizenship status. Do I qualify for any federal or state financial aid?
- My parents will no longer help me with school. How can I change my status to "independent" for financial aid purposes?
- Even if your parents choose not to help you with school, their income and assets are used to determine how much they could pay, and financial aid eligibility is based upon this information.
- Is consumer debt considered part of the calculation in determining the family contribution?
- Are there income cutoffs for financial assistance?
- Is financial aid available for illegal aliens and undocumented students?
- Can I still apply if I missed the deadline?
- Do I need to submit copies of my family's federal tax returns to the financial aid office?
- What if my family circumstances change after I apply?
- How will an outside scholarship affect my financial aid award at HCC?
- What will happen to my financial aid award if I drop a course or withdraw from the college?
- What if my financial aid is not enough to cover my bill?
- What happens if I don't meet Satisfactory Academic Progress?
- Can I receive financial aid at more than one school at a time?
- How can I receive Work-Study?
- How do I receive the balance of my financial aid funds?
- I probably don't qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?
Yes. Many families mistakenly think they don't qualify for aid and prevent themselves from receiving financial aid by failing to apply for it. In addition, there are a few sources of aid such as unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans that are available regardless of need. The FAFSA form is free. There is no good excuse for not applying
- Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid at a particular college?
No. You can apply for financial aid any time after January 1. To actually receive funds, however, you must be admitted and enrolled at the college.
- I sent in my FAFSA over four weeks ago but haven't heard anything. What should I do?
If you haven't received a Student Aid Report (SAR), call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (toll free) or 1-319-337-5665. You must provide them with your Social Security number and date of birth as verification.
You can also write to
Federal Student Aid Programs
PO Box 4038
Washington, DC 52243-4038
to find out whether your FAFSA has been processed or to request a duplicate copy of your SAR.
- Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
YES! You must reapply for financial aid each year by completing the Renewal Application for Federal Student Aid (if you receive one from the federal processor by the end of the year) or by completing the next year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
- My parents did not claim me on their tax returns this year. Can I file my FAFSA as an Independent student?
Probably not. To determine dependency status, first see if you meet any of the 6 automatic criteria on the FAFSA. If you do not meet any of those, but feel that you should be considered an independent student, you should discuss the Change in Dependency Status guidelines with your financial aid associate.
- I am an international student and have not obtained any kind of U.S. citizenship status. Do I qualify for any federal or state financial aid?
Unfortunately, unless you are a permanent resident or a political refugee granted status by the INS, you are not eligible. International students who have a F1 or F2 student visa are not eligible for federal aid.
- My parents will no longer help me with school. How can I change my status to "independent" for financial aid purposes?
You probably cannot. Dependency for financial aid purposes is defined to include all students who are undergraduates and who are under the age of 24, not married, not supporting dependents of their own, not veterans, and not orphans or wards of the court.
- Even if your parents choose not to help you with school, their income and assets are used to determine how much they could pay, and financial aid eligibility is based upon this information.
The only exceptions are when there is a complete breakdown in the parent-child relationship, such as might happen in situations involving abuse. If this is the case, consult with a financial aid advisor for help in documenting your situation.
- Is consumer debt considered part of the calculation in determining the family contribution?
No. Allowing for consumer debt would give families who owe money an unfair advantage over families who do not.
- Are there income cutoffs for financial assistance?
No. Every application is individually reviewed so that factors such as assets, family size, and number in college are considered, in addition to the family income.
- Is financial aid available for illegal aliens and undocumented students?
Financial aid is generally not available for undocumented students and illegal aliens. The majority of all student aid, including Federal student aid, requires the recipient to be a US citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) or an eligible non-citizen. There are, however, a few states that allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates. HCC has several state grants available to undocumented students.
- Can I still apply if I missed the deadline?
Yes. Although applications can be submitted at any time during the academic year, FAFSA's received after our priority filing date of April 15th will be considered for funding only after all on-time filers have been awarded and then only if funds are available.
- Do I need to submit copies of my family's federal tax returns to the financial aid office?
We will request copies of all required documents after your FAFSA is initially reviewed. Do not submit any documents to our office unless we have specifically requested you do so.
- What if my family circumstances change after I apply?
If your situation changes after filing the FAFSA because of unusual circumstances, contact the Office of Financial Aid. You may submit an appeal Request for Special Circumstances Consideration with appropriate supporting documentation.
- How will an outside scholarship affect my financial aid award at HCC?
Each recipient of federal student aid has a calculated financial need; and the combination of all sources of aid cannot exceed this need figure. It may be necessary to reduce your financial aid, especially loans, if an outside scholarship arrives after our aid offer.
- What will happen to my financial aid award if I drop a course or withdraw from the college?
If your tuition is adjusted because you drop a course, it may be necessary to reduce your financial aid. If you totally withdraw from the college during the first 60 percent of the term, your financial aid eligibility must be recalculated. Dropping courses and withdrawing are academic actions which might have serious financial implications and may affect your future aid eligibility because of failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress. It is your responsibility to understand the effects these actions will have on your financial aid award.
- What if my financial aid is not enough to cover my bill?
If the financial aid assistance you are offered is not enough to pay for your entire college charges (tuition, fees, books, etc.), you are responsible for making other arrangements to cover these charges (cash payment, installment plan, short-term loan).
- What happens if I don't meet Satisfactory Academic Progress?
If you fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, you may be denied additional financial aid assistance. If you are denied additional financial aid assistance, you may regain your financial aid eligibility by submitting a written appeal with documentation explaining why you failed to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. You also have the option of successfully completing six (6) semester hours without financial aid assistance to regain your financial aid eligibility.
- Can I receive financial aid at more than one school at a time?
No, you can only receive financial aid at one school/college at time. Failure to disclosure that financial aid for the current award year has been disbursed by another college for you may result in an over award. You would be responsible for repaying the over award to the college.
- How can I receive Work-Study?
In order to receive work-study at Houston Community College, you must indicate on your FAFSA that you are interested in work-study. You will also be required to attend a work-study orientation and complete the necessary employment documents.
- How do I receive the balance of my financial aid funds?
If you have a balance remaining after your college charges have been paid, the balance will be applied to your Chase E-Funds Card after the official date of record for the Second Start semester.
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