College Catalog
Getting Started | Apply for Financial Aid
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) 587-3844 |
| North Seattle Community College |
(206) 527-3688 |
| South Seattle Community College |
(206) 764-5317 |
| Seattle Vocational Institute |
(206) 516-4978 |
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.
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Types of Financial Aid
Three basic kinds of financial aid are available for
students. Financial aid may consist of one or more of:
- 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.
- EMPLOYMENT: Work-study programs provide part-time
employment.
- LOANS: Contact the campus Financial Aid Office for
other loan programs.
Financial Aid for Veterans is covered below.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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| Central & SVI |
(206) 587-4147 |
| North |
(206) 527-3699 |
| South |
(206) 764-5811 |
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.
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