Frequently
Asked Questions How do I apply for financial aid?
You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
as soon as possible after January 1. FAFSA on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov is
the best way to apply. However, you may also apply by completing a paper FAFSA.
You will need to reapply for financial aid every academic year. BRCC’s
school code is 037303.
Is it better to complete the FAFSA online?
Yes. The web version guides you through the application and assists you in providing
the right responses. Consequently, there are little or no errors with this method
and therefore, no delays in processing your student aid. This method of applying
is faster than submitting the FAFSA by mail
How long does the Financial Aid
process take? The entire process could take 4 to 6 weeks
depending on the verification process, and the documentation needed.
What
documents will you need for the verification process?
- BRCC students
must send signed copies of your and your parents’
(if dependent) federal 1040 tax returns to the financial aid office.
You will also have to complete a Verification Worksheet that you
can obtain from the Financial Aid Office or the BRCC website. Contact
a Financial Aid Counselor to see what additional information or
documentation may be needed. Respond quickly to all correspondence.
Once the Financial Aid Office receives your electronics Student
Aid Report (SAR), we will request additional information to complete
your file. The earlier we receive the required information, the
earlier we can determine your eligibility for financial aid.
- The verification
process must be completed no later than 60 days after the last
date of enrollment or June 30, whichever comes first. BRCC must
receive a final and valid electronic SAR by the student’s
last day of enrollment or June 30 of the award year, whichever
comes first. The verification process must be completed
before the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships can award
any aid.
What is the verification process?
The financial aid office will review your federal tax returns and other submitted material and compare them with the information you submitted on the FAFSA. It is to the student’s benefit to respond to and complete the verification process as quickly as possible because no packaging, awarding, and disbursement of aid will be made until verification is completed. If there are any differences found between information reported in the FAFSA and actual figures reported in tax returns and other required documentation, adjustments will be made to the FAFSA you submitted. Your award will be based upon the corrected information.
What makes
a student eligible for the PELL Grant?
To be eligible for Federal aid a student has several requirements.
- have a financial
need have a high school diploma or a General Education Development
(GED) Certificate or pass an approved ability to benefit test
(COMPASS test) are enrolled or accepted for enrollment
as a regular student working toward a degree in an eligible program
is a
U.S.
citizen or eligible non-citizen have a valid social security numbermake
satisfactory academic progress sign a statement on the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying that you
will use federal student aid for educational purposes only sign
a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default
on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on
a federal student grant register with the Selective Service, if
required.
- If you are
a male 18 through 25 years of age and you have not yet registered
with Selective Service, you can give Selective Service permission
to register you by checking a box on the FAFSA. You can also
register through the internet at:http://www.sss.gov
Can I use
my W-2 to fill out the FAFSA?
No. You should complete your tax forms (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ,
etc) first and use that information to complete your FAFSA.
Must
I be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?
No. Pell Grant and other federal grants will be prorated
according to Department of Education's calculation if a student
is less than full-time. Federal Work-study and student loan
eligibility mandates that a student be attending at least half-time
(6 semester hours) however BRCC does not currently offer loans.
If
I’m not living at home with my parents, can I be considered
independent?
No. A student’s dependency status for financial aid
purposes is determined by how you respond to questions #48 - #55
in Step 3 of the FAFSA Form. It does not matter if you live
with your parents, if you claimed yourself on your tax returns,
or if you pay your own bills. You will be considered a dependent
of your parents if you answer ‘no’ to all of the questions
below:
- Were
you born before
January 1, 1984? Are you an orphan or were a ward of the court
until age eighteen? Are you a veteran? Are you a graduate student?
Are you married?
- Do
you have a legal dependent other than a spouse who receives more
than half of their support from you?
How do I check
the status of my financial award online?
Check the status of your financial aid by using the brcc website www.mybrcc.edu
- From the BRCC
home page choose REGISTRATION Scroll down to middle of
page and select CONTINUE TO REGISTRATIONTwo boxes will
appear first block choose YES for security certificate;
second box choose OK for online registration. Choose ENTER
SECURE AREA Enter USER ID (student ID number begins
B000…..) Enter PIN NUMBER ( given to student
by advisor 6 digits) Choose STUDENT & FINANCIAL AID MENU Choose FINANCIAL
AID
- To check
the Award for the year choose MY AWARD INFORMATION select
the aid year
How can I
get help with my books? If your financial aid file
is verified (based on your completed financial aid paperwork)
and you are found to be eligible for aid that exceeds the cost
of your tuition and fees, the school will provide you with book
assistance (approximately) one week before class starts. You
have a two-week period to use the credit. After the drop/add
period the voucher will become VOID. The funds used off
the voucher will be taken from your financial aid disbursement,
before any refund is processed. Again you may use your
financial aid credit for books one week before classes start.
What about
my refund check? Any federal financial aid left on
your account after your tuition, fees, and books will be forwarded
to you in the electronic form of your choice. You will
receive them no later than 14 days after the school verifies
your attendance.
Please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships or the
Bursar’s Office to sign up.
