Financial Aid

What is Federal Student Aid?

The majority of Federal Financial Aid is available through the federal government and eligibility is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  

Traditional and non-traditional students are encouraged to apply for student financial aid. Selection to receive financial assistance through Cloud County Community College will be made without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or handicap.

Requirements For Federal Student Financial Aid

Every student who meets certain eligibility requirements can get some type of federal student aid, regardless of age, or family income.  The most basic requirements are that you must:

• Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
• Have a valid Social Security number;
• Register (or have registered) for Selective Service if a male; between the ages of 18 and 25;
• Have earned a high school diploma, GED certificate, or have been home-schooled;
• Enroll as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
• Make satisfactory academic progress.

All students who are using Federal Student Financial Aid must have all previous college transcripts submitted and evaluated for Satisfactory Academic Progress before aid will be awarded and an offer letter sent to the student. 

Enrollment Status for Federal Financial Aid

•  Full-time status – 12 credit hours, or more, per semester
•  Three-quarter time status – 9-11 credit hours, per semester
•  Half-time status – 6-8 credit hours, per semester
•  Less than half-time status - 1-5 credit hours, per semester

Financial Aid Offers are based on Full-Time Enrollment Status and Financial Aid Eligible hours will be used to determine Enrollment Status.

Financial Aid Eligible hours are courses which are eligible to apply toward a CCCC degree or certificate.

If a student is enrolled in courses that do not count toward their degree or certificate program, they cannot be used to determine enrollment status unless they are eligible remedial courses.

The Financial Aid Office will prorate the Federal Pell Grant based on the student's Financial Aid Enrollment Status if the student is enrolled in less than 12 Financial Aid Eligible hours during a payment period.

Direct Loan eligibility can also change as a result of the Financial Aid Enrollment Status.

Financial aid is not fixed.  Information received at any time during the payment period may require adjustments to be made to the student's Financial Aid.

Accuracy is of the utmost importance when completing the FAFSA, since verification may be required of the information submitted. If a student’s file is selected for verification, supporting documents will be requested. 

It may take up to eight weeks to process your FAFSA application, so please apply early to avoid a payment contract or having to make payment arrangements with the business office. 

CCCC's Priority Deadlines