How to Apply for Financial Aid

Tel: 860.906.5090
Fax: 860.906.5092
Email: CA-FinAidHelp@ccc.commnet.edu

Student's Responsibility

Capital Community College expects the student to initiate the application process in a timely manner, and considers it the student’s responsibility to complete the application on time.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  Students and their families should be aware that they are completing applications for federal, state, and college funds. Due to the limitation of funds, please be aware that if you enroll for less than six credits you may not be eligible for any aid.  Students are also expected to be familiar with the general provisions of financial aid.  To help you understand this process.  Financial Aid Workshops are held throughout the year.  Information on financial aid programs, regulations, and procedures are found in the College catalog.  Deliberately misreporting can result in criminal and civil liabilities.  Late applications will be awarded on a funds available basis.  Application materials cannot be accepted after the student’s last date of attendance.

We are here to assist you!

You can read our Frequently Asked Questions
You can call us at (860) 906-5090
You can email us at CA-FinAidHelp@ccc.commnet.edu

Priority Timetable

While we accept applications all year, in order to ensure priority consideration, your results from the FAFSA and any other required documentation must be received in the Financial Aid Office at Capital Community College by:

Fall & Spring Semesters:
    July 1 — All Students

Spring Semester Only:
    December 1

* Late applicants are encouraged to apply.

Getting Started

Important — You do not have to own a personal computer to apply for financial aid from Capital Community College. However, you do need to have use of a computer with Internet access. Many public libraries, high schools, adult education centers and community centers offer FREE access to students. Also, you have access to many of the computers available for student use at Capital Community College. These computers are available for use at the Welcome Center, Financial Aid Office, Library and Learning Center.

You must have a basic understanding of a personal computer and Internet use. If you don't, please contact us at the Welcome Center (906-5077) or the Financial Aid Office (906-5090) at Capital Community College.

Step 1

Getting an e-mail address
It is essential that you possess an e-mail address to participate fully in this endeavor. If you do not already have a personal e-mail address, you can obtain one for FREE at many web sites on the Internet. For example, Yahoo! (www.mail.yahoo.com), Netscape (www.netscape.com) and Starmedia's Latinmail (www.latinmail.com) provide e-mail services for free.

You will provide your e-mail address to both the U.S. Department of Education and Capital Community College, and both of us will communicate with you about your financial aid application by sending information to your e-mail address.

By the way, you can get an e-mail address in just a few minutes. Just follow the above step.

Step 2

Applying for a PIN (Personal Identification Number)
It is important that you apply for a PIN. For the 2008-2009 Award Year, you can obtain a PIN electronically by going to the government's PIN site (www.pin.ed.gov). If you are not sure whether or not you have a PIN already, you can go to the same web site to check. Now that you have an e-mail address, the Department of Education will e-mail you directions as to how to obtain your PIN from a secure web site. Allow 3 days to secure your PIN from them.

Your PIN serves as your password to access private information on the U.S. Department of Education's web site. You can also use your PIN as an electronic signature when completing your FAFSA on the Web.

Step 3

FAFSA on the Web
To apply for financial aid from Capital Community College you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to visit the FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) site for the application. You will need personal information documents to complete the electronic application.

What do I need to fill out the FAFSA?
You will need records for income earned in the year prior to when you will start school. You may also need records of your parent(s)' income information. For the 2008-2009 school year, you will need 2007 information. You will need to refer to:

• Your Social Security card and driver's license
• W-2 Forms or other records of income earned
• Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) Federal Income Tax Return for 2007
• Your parent(s)' Federal Income Tax Return for 2007
• Records of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, social security benefits, TANF, veteran's benefits, or military or clergy allowances
• Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments
• Business or farm records, if applicable
• Your alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

On the FAFSA form in step six, you must enter Capital Community College's School Code Number. Enter 007635 to ensure your application information is provided to Capital Community College.

Since you have a PIN, you can sign your application electronically. If your parent(s) is required to sign the application, your parent(s) can obtain a PIN by following Step 2 as indicated previously. By filing this electronic application, you are applying for federal, state and college financial aid. This electronic application process takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. If you provide the Department of Education with your e-mail address, you will be notified when the results from your application are available to you at a secure website.

Step 4

Using Online — The Student Information System
Now that you've applied for financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education and Capital Community College, you can track your financial application and award information on the Internet by using Capital Community College's online student information system (my.Commnet.edu).

To use my.commnet.edu, you need to know your NetID. When you applied for admission to Capital Community College, you were given the NetID or student number. For a student who’s Banner number is @12345678 the NetID will be 12345678@student.commnet.edu. Your password will be the first three characters of your birth month followed by the "&" symbol and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Example: a user whose birthday is October and whose social security ends in 6789, the initial password would be: Oct&6789. You will prompt to change your password. If you don’t remember your password, you must contact the Registrar’s Office at Capital Community College.

In addition to being able to track your financial aid application online, you will be able to download any documents you may need to complete your application requirements. You can then print out these documents and either mail or drop them off at the financial aid office. To inform you of your application status, we will periodically e-mail you and direct you to visit the my.Commnet.edu system to check your list of missing documents. You should make sure you log into the my.Commnet.edu student information system weekly to stay current with your financial aid information and news.

Step 5

Your Financial Aid Award
When we complete our review of your financial aid application we will notify you at your e-mail address and direct you to the online student information system. You will be able to view your Financial Aid Award and make decisions about your awards over the Internet. We will assume that you want to accept any grants (free money) that you are eligible for, but there may be additional awards (like student loans or work-study jobs) that you have the option to accept or decline. Awards are based on full-time enrollment. If you enroll for less then 12 credits your award will be adjusted. You must be meeting the financial aid satisfactory academic requirements to recieve your award. The policy is available at my.commnet.edu and in the Student Handbook

By using my.commnet.edu, you can review and adjust your financial aid awards, complete award requirements, and e-mail the financial aid office with your questions and concerns. Your use of the student information system allows you 24 hours a day, 7days a week access to the Financial Aid Office of Capital Community College.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  What can I do if I have concerns about providing personal information?
A:   It is not uncommon to have personal circumstances that can’t be addressed on the FAFSA  (examples:  I was incarcerated,  I didn’t file a tax return but earned money, I’m not in contact with my parents, I don’t know how to use a computer). You can contact the Financial Aid Office at: CA-FinAidHelp@ccc.commnet.edu or (860) 906-5090 for personal assistance.

Q:  How do I apply for a work study job?
A:  When completing the FAFSA, you will be asked what type of aid you are interested in.  Please be sure to answer “yes” to the question that asks if you are interested in work study.

Q:  Is financial aid available for summer classes?
A:  Financial aid is limited for summer classes.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office in April for more details.

Q:  Will my financial aid be affected if I withdraw from my classes?
A:   Maybe! If you withdraw prior to 61% point of the semester, you may owe both the college and the government money.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office before you withdraw.

Q:  Can I use financial aid for purchasing books?
A:  Often students receive awards that cover their direct costs (tuition and fees) with additional aid left over.  In order to use this money for books at the Bookstore you must complete the Title IV Authorization Request online (see Step 4).  The Bookstore will have your authorization in their computer system within 24 to 48 hours.  Please remember to bring picture identification with you.

Q:  If I fail any of my classes, will I be able to receive financial aid in the future?
A:  Maybe!  You are required to maintain a minimum grade point average AND complete 66.66% of all attempted classes.  The full satisfactory academic progress policy is available online or in paper version.