- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov
or pick up a paper application in the Financial Aid Office at Central
Maine Community College.
- After about 4 to 6 weeks, you should receive a Student
Aid Report (SAR). The SAR will report your Pell Grant eligibility
and your Expected Family Contribution. This will help determine
your eligibility for Federal financial aid.
- Approximately 30% of all students are picked
for verification by the Federal government. If you are picked Central
Maine Community College's financial aid office will request additional
information before processing your aid package.
- The school will present a financial aid package to
you that details your eligibility for grants, scholarships and loans.
You will receive an award letter. Read this letter carefully and
direct your questions to the Financial Aid Office.
- Respond to your award letter immediately to notify
the school that you accept all, part, or none of the financial aid
package offered. Be sure to complete any applicable sections and
sign your acceptance before you return the award letter.
Additional documentation might be required
The Federal Government requires schools to verify 30% of the Financial
Aid Applications they receive. If you have been chosen for verification,
you must provide certain documents such as tax returns, verification
forms and W2's before you can receive the financial aid funds.
Failure to provide the documentation necessary
to complete the verification process will result in the cancellation
of the financial aid award.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting to sign the application. Be sure you and your parents,
if applicable, remember to sign.
- For income reporting, applicants often use their W-2 form. You
should take the adjusted gross income from the last 1040 Federal
tax return.
- When reporting taxes paid, applicants often use the taxes withheld
on their W-2 form. You should list the actual taxes paid as shown
on the last 1040 Federal tax return.
- Students and parents often forget to report all the required sources
of untaxed income. They should include untaxed income such as Social
Security, child support, and Aid to Dependent Children (ADC).
- Divorced applicants sometimes include their ex-spouse's income.
They should only list their own income and that of their current
spouse.
- Using wrong or conflicting social security numbers on the FAFSA
and other forms.
- Waiting too long to file the FAFSA.
Financial Aid Office
(207) 755-5269
finaid@cmcc.edu
