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must apply for Financial Aid every year.
To apply for Financial Aid at Houston
Community College - Southwest students must complete
the application process as follows:
1. Complete the FAFSA application by
using FAFSA on the Web as soon as possible. FAFSA
If you received a Renewal Application in the
mail, you should complete that instead of a regular
FAFSA. Read the instructions carefully before
completing the application. The FAFSA Code for
the West Loop location is E00679, and the FAFSA
Code for the Stafford location is E00898
2. Complete the Admissions Process to be
admitted to HCCS and file a degree or certificate
plan with the academic counselors.
ADMISSIONS
If you are a first time college student or a transfer
student with fewer than 15 credit hours, you must
attend a Pre-Registration Information Seminar (PRIS). PRIS
3. Correct your SAR using the web. FAFSA
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) or
an Information Acknowledgment Student Aid Report
within 5 to 10 days after entering your FAFSA
on the Web. This SAR contains key information
about your aid eligibility. If any of the information
on the SAR is incorrect, make the necessary changes
and transmit it back to the processor using your
PIN. If all the information is correct, submit
it to the Financial Aid office. The Financial
Aid Office will receive all of this information
electronically from the processor, as long as
HCCS West Loop (E00679) or Stafford (E00898) is
listed as one of the schools you allow to receive
the data.
4. As a student receiving financial aid
at HCCS you must complete a mandatory Financial
Aid Orientation.
Your financial aid funds will not be authorized
for disbursement until you completed the Financial
Aid Orientation.
5. Submit required documents.
The Financial Aid
Office is required to select some students for
review in a process called verification. These
students must supply additional information, such
as tax returns, a verification worksheet and/or
citizenship documentation. If additional information
is needed, you will be notified in person or sent
a specific request in the mail explaining what
is needed. All requested documentation must be
submitted in order to continue the processing
of your application.
6. Receive award letter.
You will receive an
award letter when your application file is complete.
Students are notified by mail, phone, or postings
in the Financial Aid Office when the award letters
are ready for pickup. To ensure that you receive
your award letter as early as possible, apply
early and submit all requested forms in a timely
manner.
7. Accept or reject awards.
You must accept or
reject all awards that have been offered to you
on the official award letter. You must also complete
any additional paperwork that is necessary, such
as loan forms. Return all paperwork to the financial
aid office promptly so that your aid can be processed
as soon as possible. Until you have received,
signed and returned your award letter to the financial
aid office, you will not have funds available
to pay for your tuition and fees.
8. Funds credited to your account.
All financial
aid funds will be credited to your student account.
At the earliest, this is done 10 days before classes
begin, assuming that all of the above steps have
been completed.
9. Refund
If the total credited funds exceed your tuition,
fees and books; a refund check for the remainder
will be mailed to you. Be sure that the Office
of Admissions and Bursar's office have your correct
address.
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