The following information is helpful when applying for financial aid.
A student must meet the following requirements to be eligible for financial aid:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have valid Social Security number (SSN)
- Have high school diploma, GED certificate, or have the Ability to Benefit (email financialaid@columbiabasin.edu for information on the Ability to Benefit)
- Be seeking one of the degrees or certificates available at CBC (AA, AAS, AST, BAS, or certificate program)
- Not be in default on a Federal Student Loan
- Not owe a repayment on a Federal Student Grant
- Be enrolled for an eligible number of credits (based on individual financial eligibility and financial aid program requirements)
- Be making satisfactory academic progress (previous academic progress at CBC will be considered even if student was not on financial aid)
- Not be receiving financial aid from any other institution
- Be registered with Selective Service if you are a male
- Sign a statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) stating that the student aid will be used only for educational purposes
- Have satisfied federal guidelines regarding conviction of illegal drug offense.
- Be determined to have financial need based upon Congressional Methodology (except for Unsubsidized Direct Loan and Direct Parent PLUS Loan)
What you'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Your Social Security Number (can be found on your Social Security card)
- Your driver’s license (if any)
- Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
- Your W-2 forms and other records of money earned from the previous year
- Your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) previous year's Federal Income Tax Return – IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ, foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia
- Records of child support paid (if applicable)
- Records of taxable earnings from federal work study or other need-based work programs
- Records of any grants, scholarships, and fellowship aid that were included in your adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Your current bank statements
- Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
If you are a dependent student as defined by federal criteria you will also need:
- Your parent's Social Security Number
- Your parent’s Date of Birth
- Your parent’s marital status
- Date of your parent’s marital status
- Your parent’s W-2 forms and other records of money earned from the previous year
- Your parent’s previous year's Federal Income Tax Return – IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ, foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia
- Records of child support paid (if applicable)
- Records of any grants, scholarships, and fellowship aid that were included in your parents’ adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Your parents' current bank statements
- Your parents' current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records
Ways to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- File electronically via FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.gov
- Call 1-800-433-3243 to request a paper application
Corrections
If you have errors on your FAFSA, correcting them will speed the processing of your application. Corrections can be made on the FAFSA site: www.fafsa.gov. After logging in you will need to click "Make FAFSA Corrections".
Helpful Filing Tips
- Apply for a pin number at www.pin.ed.gov (if filing electronically it will speed up the process)
- Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to deadline
- Submit required documentation requested by the Financial Aid office (check mail and email for paperwork sent from CBC Financial Aid office)
- Most aid awarded on "first-come, first-served basis" so always apply early
- CAUTION! YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO GET HELP COMPLETING OR SUBMITTING YOUR FAFSA