Steps for Financial Aid Application

1. Submit a FAFSA

   Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The form is available in hard copy from our office and from high school counselors. It is preferred that you complete the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. List Federal School Code 001636 as the first school.

   From the FAFSA results, you will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Illinois Incentive for Access Grant, Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program, Federal Stafford Loan Program and Federal PLUS loan. Continuing financial aid applicants will automatically receive a "Renewal Application", usually in December, that can be used in place of the FAFSA. To check the status of your financial aid, log into your Student Center on eSTORM.

2. Complete a Southwestern Illinois College Financial Aid Application.>

3. Verify Information

   The U.S. Department of Education or Southwestern Illinois College can select your file for verification. If selected, we will ask you to provide additional documentation (forms, e.g., tax returns, W-2's, birth certificate, etc.) by a stated deadline. Errors and discrepancies can require requests for additional information. If you are selected, your file must be verified before any financial aid is awarded. Failure to comply with verification requests by the specified date may result in your loss of eligibility.

4. Correct Information

   If you need to correct the information originally provided on the FAFSA, Southwestern can make those changes electronically. You will receive notice from the Department of Education when the corrections have been made.

5. Participate in MISSION SUCCESS

   MISSION SUCCESS will provide you with valuable information about the college, assess your current academic skills (reading, writing, math) and individually advise you on the courses you need to take in order to meet your goals. REQUIRED FOR ALL DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS. Students who do not have a high school diploma or GED must receive acceptable scores on the COMPASS test to receive financial aid. Call the Counseling Center to schedule your appointment on Belleville, Granite City or Red Bud campus. To view some sample assessment questions, visit: http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html

6. Enroll for Classes that are required for your Program of Study.

   It is a good idea to meet with a Counselor each semester prior to enrolling in classes to discuss your program of study and course options. Call to make an appointment. If you enroll and do not attend, you must formally withdraw through the Records office. If you do not withdraw during the refund period as described in the College Catalog, you will be billed for the tuition and fees for the classes.

   Financial aid awards are frozen after the first 14 calendar days of the official semester start date for the Fall and Spring semesters. For the summer they are frozen after the first 7 calendar days of the official semester start date. Awards are not recalculated (increased or decreased) due to changes in enrollment status (adds or drops) that occur after this date due to changes in enrollment status unless the change results from a class cancellation or dropping a late starting class within the refund period. New award letters are not automatically sent when enrollment status changes affect award(s).

   If you are enrolled in a class that begins after the normal refund period, (the sixth week of the semester for fall and spring)(fifth week for summer)receive financial aid for that class, and the class is subsequently cancelled, you may be liable to repay a portion of your financial aid.

   You can also be withdrawn for failure to attend by your instructor. See attendance policy in the college catalog. To check your enrollment, log into your Student Center in eSTORM.

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