Hopefully you'll find answers to many of your questions on this page or some of our other pages. The Department of Education also has a list of FAQs for questions about filing your FAFSA electronically. The Application Process
When should I apply for financial aid?
You must apply for financial aid every year. The best time to apply is as soon as possible after January 1 and before the end of March for the following award year (summer, fall, winter & spring terms).
How do I apply for financial aid?
The best way to submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have a pin number from the Department of Education, you can do a renewal FAFSA on the web. You can request a pin online at www.pin.ed.gov. Another option to complete the FAFSA is by completing a paper application, available only by calling the Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243.
What is your federal school code?
The federal school code for COCC is 003188. To find other school codes, check online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and then select "Find My School Codes".
I don't live with my parents, they don't claim me on their tax returns, and they don't give me any financial support. Do I still have to put down their information on my application?
If you cannot answer YES to any question in the "Section 2 - Student Status" section of the FAFSA, you MUST include parent information. Parent information is required in these cases because the federal government has decided paying for the cost of education is the responsibility of the student and the student's parents until the student can answer YES to any one question in "Section 2 - Student Status".
I already filed my application, but now I'm married. Can I be considered independent now?
Your marital status for financial aid purposes is determined on the day you applied for financial aid. So, if you included parent information on your application, their information will be included for that aid year.
My step-parent is not willing to support me. Do I have to list his/her income under the parent section?
Yes, if your supporting parent is remarried, you must include his/her spouse's information on the FAFSA.
I live with my grandparents/other relatives/guardians who support me. Should I report their income on my FAFSA instead of my parents?
No, you must list your parents' information under the parent section. If unusual circumstances exist, you may want to check with your financial aid office before submitting your FAFSA.
The school is asking for a copy of my tax return or W2s and I didn't keep copies. What should I do?
If you had a tax preparer complete your tax returns, you may want to contact him/her for a copy. Otherwise, you can request your "Tax Transcript" from the IRS office.
The school is asking for verification of my selective service registration. I don't have anything. What should I do?
You must contact Selective Service at www.sss.gov or 1-847-688-6888 to verify your registration. If it is determined you haven't yet registered and you are between the ages of 18 and 25 you must do so. If you are not registered and you are over 26 years of age, you need to request a status letter from Selective Service and provide a copy of that to our office. If you were born before 1960 please contact the Financial Aid Office at 541-383-7260.
The school is asking for verification of my selective service registration and I'm female. What should I do?
You can provide a written statement to our office indicating that you are female and not required to register with Selective Service. The written statement must be signed, and include your COCC ID number.
I've already submitted my FAFSA, but I need to make some changes. How should I make them?
If you have your pin number from the Department of Education, you can make your changes online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Click on "Make Corrections to a Processed FAFSA". If you have a Student Aid Report, you can make the corrections on that and mail it to the Department of Education.
I've already submitted my FAFSA, but I need to add a school. How do I do that?
If you have your pin number from the Department of Education, you add a school online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have your Student Aid Report, you may call the Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243. Give them your name, social security number, the DRN number and transaction number off your SAR (in the upper right corner of the front page), and the name of the school you want to have added to your FAFSA. If you no longer have your SAR, you may also call to request a duplicate.
I haven't heard from the financial aid office at COCC. How come?
All financial aid students at COCC must apply for admissions before your FAFSA will be processed. If you haven't applied to COCC, complete the application online. If you have been admitted to COCC but haven't heard from the Financial Aid Office, you should check your mailing address. You can check your address online. You can also check the status of your financial aid application online.
How long will it take before I get my Award Notification Email?
It may take six - eight weeks after you submit all requested documentation before you'll find out what aid you're eligible to receive.
Is it too late to apply for financial aid?
You can apply for financial aid anytime during the current school year as long as the school receives a valid FAFSA from the federal processor before the last day of the current school year. However, some funding is limited and may not be available when your award is finalized.
Getting My Money
How much aid will I get?
The information you provide on your FAFSA as well as other information submitted to our office will allow us to determine your eligibility. Funding availability, federal regulations, and cost of attendance budget will also be considered.
How much can I earn and still be eligible for financial aid?
The Department of Education considers many factors in determining your eligibility. So, it's almost impossible to answer this question without submitting the FAFSA and completing the review process. You can however see an estimate of whether or not you might receive a Pell Grant based on your particular circumstances online. Remember, though, that the Pell Grant is not the only source of financial aid. So even if it appears you aren't eligible for the Pell Grant, you may be eligible for other types of aid.
How do I get my money?
Most financial aid funds are credited to your student account. After tuition, fees, and other institutional charges are deducted, any remaining aid funds will be issued based on the eRefund process you have selected.
How much will I get?
The amount of financial aid disbursed is based your enrollment at 5:00 pm on Friday of the second week of each term. Classes must be taken for credit to count toward financial aid. Classes taken as audit will not be covered by financial aid.
Check out "financial aid at a glance" for more information.
How do I buy my books if I don't get my refund check until the third week of the term?
You may be eligible for a bookstore credit. You can check your Bobcat Web Account the week before each term begins to see if you have a bookstore credit.
Why didn't I get my refund?
- Have you accepted or declined your award funds?
- Is your address correct? You can check your Bobcat Web Account to view or change your address.
- Do you have outstanding requirements for your financial aid file? You can check online using your Bobcat Web Account
- Did you sign your promissory note for your lender?
- Have you selected an eRefund process?
- Are you in enough credits for your financial aid to disburse? Check requirements using your Bobcat Web Account.
- Is your financial aid disbursement more than your tuition, fees, and bookstore charges?
What happens if I drop my classes and other questions/problems with my financial aid?
What happens if I drop my classes?
Federal financial aid regulations have defined that a student who completely withdraws or stops attending prior to completing 60% of a term has not earned 100% of the federal financial aid that was received. That student may be required to return a portion of the federal aid that was disbursed to them. You may read the entire repayment policy online.
Federal financial aid regulations have defined that a student who completely withdraws or stops attending prior to completing 60% of a term has not earned 100% of the federal financial aid that was received. That student may be required to return a portion of the federal aid that was disbursed to them. You may read the entire . Additionally, Certificate seeking students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a cumulative completion rate of 66.67% of their calculated hours at the end of each term. Degree seeking students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a cumulative completion rate of 66.67% of their calculated hours at the end of each academic year (evaluated annually when spring term grades are posted). Failure to meet any of the standard requirements is reason in itself for denial of federal financial aid at COCC, whether or not any financial aid was received. You may read the entire Satisfactory Academic Progress policy online.