Application Process - There are three critical first steps to qualify for financial aid of any kind:

1.  First complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) each year.  The need for any financial aid will be determined by the information provided in the FAFSA application.

• Available beginning in January for the following academic year(summer through spring)
• Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Students will need a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to complete the application online.  To request a PIN, go to www.pin.ed.gov.  Parents also can request a PIN for themselves at the same site.
• Be sure to use Sinclair's code 003119 on the application so the college can receive the results.
• Be sure to sign the FAFSA application, certifying that all federal financial aid money will be used only for expenses related to study at Sinclair Community College.
• Apply as early as possible; processing can take four to six weeks and perhaps longer if students are selected for verification of their information.
  • Students receive an e-mail asking them to provide verification documents.  Sinclair will not be able to award any federal aid until all the requested documentation has been verified.
  • See Verification Process section for more details.

2.  Additional forms required for the verification process are available in the office, Building 10, Room 10324, or they can be printed from the college web site http://www.sinclair.edu/stservices/fas/2008-2009financialaidforms/index.cfm.

3.   See Federal Loan and Private/Alternative Loan sections for details of loan process.  Some scholarships may require additional applications available online or in the financial aid office.  See Scholarship section for more details.

Results of Financial Aid Application

Notification:  If students are eligible for financial aid, they will receive a letter via e-mail from Sinclair's Financial Aid & Scholarships office.  The letter will include:

• Types of financial aid for which the student is eligible
• Amount of award available each quarter

Read the letter carefully.  Students receiving federal loans will also receive a Notice of Disclosure from the U.S. Department of Education Direct Loan Servicing Center.

Payment of Aid:  Students' financial aid will first be credited toward payment of tuition and fees and then for books.  Look for the amount of aid on their fee bill after they have registered for classes each quarter.  See Receipt/Payment of Award section for more details.