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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.