How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov) and mail it after January 1. You can get a paper FAFSA from a high school guidance office, a college financial aid office or a local public library. You only have to apply once per academic year. In order to receive maximum consideration for aid your FAFSA must be RECEIVED by the Federal processor on or before March 10 (this is no longer a postmark date). This is the priority deadline for the Indiana Higher Education Grant.

If you are asked to provide information and documents, do so as quickly as possible. If you are eligible to receive financial aid, you will be sent an Electronic Award Notification via your Ivy Tech email account, at the Campus Connect web portal (cc.ivytech.edu). This email will have a direct link to your Electronic Award. Click on this link and you will see your award notification for you to review and approve.

Where do I find the federal school code for Ivy Tech Community College of Fort Wayne?
Our federal school code is 009926. Use this number on the FAFSA to have your information sent to us.

What is a Dependent Student?
A student is defined as a dependent on the FAFSA if he or she cannot answer YES to one of the following questions (this is true even if you are living on your own and paying all your own bills with no parental help).

• Were you at least 24 years old by December 31st of the award year covered by the FAFSA?
• During the current school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program?
• As of today, are you married?
• Do you have children who receive more than half their support from you?
• Do you have other dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you?
• Are you an orphan or ward/dependent of the court?
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?

If you believe your situation merits special review to exempt you from supplying your parent's information, request and complete an Independent Appeal Form from the Financial Aid Office.

Remember, just because your parents are not willing or able to pay for your college costs does not mean you do not have to provide their information. Also, emancipation in and of itself does not mean that a student is independent.

I applied for federal student aid last academic year. Can I use a Renewal FAFSA?
Yes. Using a Renewal FAFSA means you’ll have fewer questions to answer than if you applied with a new application, because most Renewal FAFSA will be filled in with information you provided the prior year. You’ll only have to update any information that has changed.

Depending on several factors, you’ll receive either a paper Renewal FAFSA for the new year or a reminder notice that it’s time to reapply for federal student aid.

I’ve heard about a PIN. What is it and what is it used for?
A PIN is an electronic access code number that serves as your identifier. A PIN lets you access your personal federal student aid information online in various U.S. Department of Education systems.

If you apply using FAFSA on the Web, having a PIN allows you (and your parents, if they have a PIN and you’re a dependent student) to “sign” your FAFSA electronically, which means the student aid process can be completed totally online. FAFSA on the Web filers who are new applicants (and their parents, if applicable) can request a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.

How much financial aid can I receive?
This is generally based on "need." Financial need is the difference between your college expense and the amount of money you and, in some cases, your family are expected to contribute. Often you will be offered financial aid from more than one source. It may be a combination of gift dollars, a loan, and a part-time job.

How does my financial aid pay for College?
When you register at Ivy Tech, financial aid may pay for all or a portion of your class fees, books and supplies. If there are dollars left over from the total amount of your financial aid, you will receive the money approximately seven weeks into the semester. If your financial aid does not cover all of your fees, then you are expected to make payment arrangements with the bursar's office before classes start. Contact the bursar's office for more information.

Can I use my financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies?
Yes, if your financial aid award is more than calculated tuition and fees. Please contact the financial aid office for the details on the procedures for your campus.

Do my grades and attendance affect my financial aid?
Your eligibility for federal financial aid is based on the enrollment status at the end of the 100% refund period. If a student adds a class after the end of the 100% refund period, their federal and state aid will not increase and they may owe money for the added class(es).

Attendance: Students must not only be "enrolled" but must actually be attending class. Students that never attend class or stop attending class without formally withdrawing will have their aid adjusted as required by the federal refund policy.

If you receive financial aid, you must maintain standards of progress. That means that you must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completion of your program within a specific time period, based on the number of hours you take each semester. Failing to meet the standards could have you terminated from receiving financial aid.

What is the difference between a subsidized and an unsubsidized loan?
A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You won’t be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment). The federal government “subsidizes” the interest during these periods.

An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You’ll be charged interest  from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accrue (accumulate) while you are in school or during other periods of nonpayment, it will be capitalized—that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan, and additional interest will be based on that higher amount. If your interest is capitalized, it will increase the amount you have to repay. You can choose to pay the interest as it accumulates; if so, you’ll repay less in the long run.

How do I avoid scholarship scams?
Be careful when searching for information on student financial assistance. Make sure information and offers are legitimate. The College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act enhances protection against fraud in student financial assistance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cautions students to look for these telltale lines:

• The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.
• You can’t get this information anywhere else.
• I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.
• You’ve been selected by a “national foundation” to receive a scholarship or you’re a finalist in a contest you never entered.

To file a complaint, or for free information, call 1.877.FTC.HELP (1.877.382.4357) or visit http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.

For general questions, please contact swhitton@ivytech.edu

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