Apply for Financial Assistance 

STUDENT ALERT
It has come to the attention of Cuyahoga Community College’s Public Safety Department that fliers have been distributed and posted on Tri-C campuses recently advertising that student financial aid is available through something called “The College Advantage Program.” There are reports that similar fliers have been posted at other area colleges as well.

All students should be aware that there are allegations of improper usage of personal information that students have provided to the organization, and that  Cuyahoga Community College has no affiliation with the organization.

Any students who have provided personal information to The College Advantage Program should contact Cuyahoga Community College’s Public Safety Department at 216-987-4325. If they provided personal information to the organization off-campus, they may also want to contact that city’s police department.


The Tri-C FAFSA priority deadline date is June 1 and the Tri-C school code is 003040.
In order to be eligible to receive federal financial assistance at Cuyahoga Community College, a student must:

1. Be admitted to the college.
2. Declare a major with the Admission and Records office.
3. Have an official high school or GED transcript on file with the Office of Admissions and Records or pass the Ability to Benefit test at any campus Assessment Center.
4. Provide a college transcript from every college previously attended, in order to transfer all credits from previously attended colleges or universities.
5. Have a valid Social Security Number.
6. Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
7. Meet the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
8. Certify that you are not in default on a student loan or owe money on a federal grant by signing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
9. Comply with the requirements of Selective Service registration. All males between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with selective service. You can register online or call (847) 688-6888 for an application.
10. Once the student is sure he meets the above criteria, he/she may apply for financial assistance, including grants, loans and scholarships, at Tri-C.
    
    In order to do so, a student must complete the following steps:

1. Apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This number serves as your electronic signature for the FAFSA application and allows you access to your personal federal student aid information. Parent(s) of dependent student(s) are also encouraged to request a PIN for their electronic signature. To apply for a PIN and obtain additional information, a federal tax return is required.
2. Complete the FAFSA for the appropriate school year beginning as early as January 1. This may be done online or via paper (online documentation is faster). Paper worksheets are available at any financial aid office, library or high school. The Tri-C FAFSA priority deadline date is June 1 and the Tri-C school code is 003040.
3. Once your FAFSA has been processed, review your Student Aid Report (SAR), which will be sent to you either electronically or via mail. The SAR confirms the information you reported on your FAFSA. Review it for accuracy and make corrections, as necessary, online with your PIN. Print an electronic copy for your records.
4. After your FAFSA is processed, Tri-C may send you a letter requesting additional documentation. Submit requested documentation as quickly as possible to ensure your aid is processed in a timely manner.
5. Once your documentation has been submitted and processed, you will receive an Award Letter indicating the amount and type of financial aid you are eligible to receive based on full-time enrollment. You may also view your financial aid award online through my Tri-C space (select the My Info tab at the top of the page and find the Financial Aid Awards channel on the right side).