Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Basics

How do I apply for financial aid?

To apply for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use either the paper application or the web-based application http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. We encourage you to apply via the web.

When should I apply for financial aid?

Applications are available beginning January 1 of each year. Go to www.fafsa.gov to complete the financial aid application online.

If you plan to enroll during the 2009-10 academic year (fall 2009, spring 2010, summer 2010), you should apply for financial aid immediately.

If you plan on applying for financial aid for academic year 2010-2011 (fall 2010, spring 2011, summer 2011) you should file the financial aid application as soon after January 1, 2010 as possible.

Does San Juan College have a deadline for applying for financial aid?

Yes. The priority date for applying for financial aid is April 1.

Financial aid detemrination can take up to several weeks so students should apply for financial aid as early as possible. Our office will process applications throughout the academic year but, late applications will result in late awards. Students are responsible for making payment arrangements if an aid package is not in place by the start of classes.

There is a limited amount of grant and work-study funds. Priority is given to students who meet the April 1 priority date and individual program requirements. This means that students whose applications for financial aid are received at the U. S. Department of Education's Central Processing System after April 1 will be awarded funds as available.

Our office will process financial aid applications regardless of date submitted, but not all funds will be availble.

What is San Juan College's Federal School Code?

San Juan College................002660

I applied for financial aid, but did not list San Juan College as one of the schools that should get a report. What do I do?

If you have your Student Aid Report (SAR), send it to us. We then request the Central Processor to send us your FAFSA information. If you do not have a copy of your SAR, call the Central Processor at 1-800-4-FEDAID or 1-800-433-3243 and ask for a duplicate. Bring the duplicate SAR to our office. OR You can use your FAFSA pin number, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, click on "Make Corrections to Processed FASFA" and add our school code to your FAFSA application.

What happens if I miss the SJC April 1 priority application date?

If you miss the priority date, you may not receive some awards you may have otherwise been eligible to recieve. In addition, your award determination may be delayed and it may not be ready by the start of a semester.

San Juan College receives a limited amount of funds to award, and they are awarded first to eligible students who meet the priority date. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant, work study or Stafford Loans, you receive those funds even if you miss the priority date.

Although financial aid applications are processed throughout the year, the process can take several weeks, including certifications of loans. Late arriving applications will result in delays. Funds may not be availble to hold students in classes or buy textbooks.

Always apply early.

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?

Yes. You must apply every year. A FAFSA application is an annual form that cpvers FALL, SPRING, and SUMMER of an academic year.

You should apply by the priority date of April 1 every year for consideration of aid eligibiilty. However, if you miss the April 1 priority deadline you may still apply. Financial Aid applications are processed throughout the year.

If my parents are divorced, separated, or you were supported by "another person" am I required to complete Parent information? Whose financial information should be used when I complete the FAFSA?

If your natural parents are separated or divorced, use the natural parent with whom you lived the most in the past 12 months.

If you lived with neither parent, or lived with each parent an equal number of days, use the parent that provided the most financial support to you over the past 12 months.

If that parent remarried, federal regulations require that you include the step-parent's financial information on the application, and the parent and step-parent should report themselves as married on the FAFSA.

If you were supported by another family member or "other" and you are required to use parent information, you must still provide the information of one of your parents (or both parents if married). In addition, report the financial support you received from the other family member or person under 'Untaxed Income' (Question 46, letter j).

Do I have to be a US citizen in order to receive financial aid?

You must be one of the following to receive financial aid:

US citizen
US national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island)
US permanent resident who has a Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
A conditional permanent resident (I-551C)

If you are not in one of the above categories, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US Department of Homeland Security showing one of the following designations in order to be eligible:

"Refugee"
"Asylum Granted"
"Parolee"
"Humanitarian Parole"
"Victim of Human trafficking"
"Cuban-Haitian Entrant" and/or
T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.)

If you only have a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464), you aren't eligible for financial aid.

If you are in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa, a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa, or a G series visa you are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.

When will I find out how much financial aid I am receiving?

Your financial aid file and admission status must be complete.

Once the file is complete (including verification, if selected) and all initial admission requirements (including ALL official transcripts and enrollment in an eligible program) have been met the Financial Aid Office will mail an award letter to your stated address. You may also review financial aid awards and status through WebAdvisor. Financial aid staff cannot review financial aid award amounts over the phone.

What happens if I completely withdraw after receiving financial aid?What happens if I drop hours after I receive financial aid for the semester?

You may be required to pay back some of the financial aid you received. San Juan College will notify you - by mail - of the amount you must repay. Information on the treatment of Student Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Federal Funds is located on the Financial Aid website. Exit loan counseling must also be completed, if you borrowed a Stafford Loan.

Do I have to make satisfactory academic progress in order to receive financial aid?

Yes. Federal regulations require that students adhere to standards of satisfactory academic progress in the pursuit of their degree or certificate. For detailed information on San Juan College's Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, please check Student Academic Progress (SAP).

Do I need to let the Financial Aid Office know if I'm receiving additional funding from other sources other than the Pell Grant?

Yes! It is extremely important that you notify our office as soon as possible if you receive funding from any source other than our office. We must take into consideration all sources of assistance you receive. Examples include, but are not limited to: WIA (Workforce Investment Act), tuition waivers, scholarships, Ameri-corps grants, etc. These types of assistance affect your eligibility for financial aid.

Unreported aid could result in an over-award, which will reduce other awards and /or you may be required to repay.

Why does the Financial Aid Office put a hold on my account?

The Financial Aid Office does not put a "Financial hold" on your account.

If you have a "financial hold" on your account, it means you have a bill with San Juan College. It must be settled before your account will be released. To take care of the hold, contact the Business Office at (505)566-3396

When will the Financial Aid Office send my San Juan College bill to me?

The Financial Aid Office does not send bills to students. Your bill is sent to you by the Business Office. If you have questions regarding your San Juan College bill, contact the Business Office at (505)566-3396.

How can I find out the status of my child's financial aid file?

Due to the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) our office is limited in the type of information regarding a student's financial aid file. To release certain information to third parties, including parents, a stduent must complete a Financial Aid Records Release form. The release form can be found under our "Forms" page or you may contact the Financial Aid Office at (505) 566-3323.

Why was my check less than my awarded amount?

Most awards are created and based on full-time enrollment (12 credit hours). If enrolled for less than 12 credit hours, awards will be automatically pro-rated at the time of disbursement. Some awards, like the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship and most SJC Foundation Scholarships, require full-time enrollment. Be sure to be fully aware of each award's requirements and obligations.

Your awards may also be adjusted because of changes to your FAFSA, and/or reciept of previously unreported financial aid assistance.

What is Return to Title IV funds and how do I know if I will be required to repay this funding?

See Withdrawals and Return to Title IV funds.

Do I have to claim Pell, Loans, Scholarships, or Work study wages on my Income Taxes?

Grants and scholarship amounts in excess of tuition must be reported as income on your tax return. The SJC Business Office will send a 1098T form at the end of the year reflecting this information. Loans are not required to be reported. Work-study earnings should be reported on your income taxes if you are required to file. Visit with a tax consultant for any additional questions you may have.

I am transferring to San Juan College; does my financial aid automatically transfer with me?

No! Aid recieved at one college does not automatically transfer. Each school is an independent entity and has different costs and awarding rules.

Students considering transferring to SJC must provide your FAFSA information to the SJC Financial Aid Office. Go to the FAFSA website www.fafsa.ed.gov and click on the option to add a school. Follow the instructions and add the San Juan College code (002660). Our school will recieve your FAFSA information and proceed under normal application review procedures.

Why do I keep receiving new award letters?

An award letter is sent everytime an addition or reduction is made to any of your awards. Please be sure to keep copies of all award letters and compare differences between the award listings. Please read the enclosed instruction sheet that is sent with each award letter.

Am I eligible to receive financial aid if I attend summer classes?

Yes. Students can be eligible for financial aid in the summer semester. However, awards are still base don full-time enrollment (12 credit hours) and students must maintain all eligibility requirements. Funds are extrmely limited, and many programs are not available during the summer semester.

How do I get my Personal Identification Number (PIN) for the FAFSA website?

A PIN is required to sign and update your online FAFSA application. It is also required to electronically sign a Stafford Student Loan application. Both students and parents will need a PIN number.

PIN numbers can be obtained by going to www.pin.ed.gov or by visiting the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

How do I change my PIN number for the FAFSA?

PIN numbers can be changed by going to www.pin.ed.gov or by visiting the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

How do I change my name on my FAFSA application?

Visit the Financial Aid Office for instructions on how to make this change.

How do I receive my financial aid?

If you have been awarded Financial Aid funds, the award(s) will be credited to the student account at the beginning of each semester, as long as all eligibility and application requirements ghave been completed.

Your account will be applied to any charges on your San Juan College account, usually tuition, fees and any book charges you may have made. The remaining Financial Aid Funds will be sent to your mailing address. Make sure your address is up to date with the Admissions Office.

If you do not receive your funds within 14 days of your disbursement date then contact the Business Office at (505) 566-3396.

If you didn't complete the FAFSA correctly within a minimum of 4 weeks before school starts, you may not have an award posted in order to charge your tuition and books. If you do not have a posted financial aid award you are responsible for making arrangements to pay for tuition and books.

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Loans

Does San Juan College participate in loan programs?

San Juan College participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program. This program includes Stafford subsidized, Stafford unsubsidized, and PLUS loans. Subsidized means the government pays the interest while you're enrolled at least half-time, and for up to 6 months after you are no longer enrolled at least half-time. Unsubsidized means you are responsible for the interest, effective the date the loan credits your San Juan College account.

Future Educators and Nurses who plan to work full-time in New Mexico and have their loans through New Mexico Student Loans are eligible for zero percent interest rates on Stafford loans and 1.25 percent interest rates on Consolidation loans. For more information, visit the San Juan College Loan Information section.

PLUS loans are parent loans. Parents are responsible for the interest on PLUS loans. They are not subsidized. Nursing student loans are federal loans awarded to students enrolled in the College of Nursing.

How do I apply for student loans?

When you complete your FAFSA, answer interested to question 26 on the 2007-08 FAFSA. You will also need to pick up the San Juan College Loan Application from our office. Complete the Loan application, Promissory Note and provide the confirmation page from your Entrance Counseling session and turn them into our office OR you may fill out your application, fill out your Master Promissory Note and do your "Entrance Counseling" online at www.sanjuancollege.edu/financialaid Click on "Student Loans". Once your Financial Aid Application has been processed by our office then the processing & awarding of your requested loan will begin.

Do I have to complete a Promissory Note in order to receive a student loan?

Yes, the MPN is the binding legal document you sign when you apply for a student loan. It lists the conditions under which you are borrowing and the terms under which you agree to pay back the loan. It will include information on how interest is calculated and what the deferment and cancellation provisions are. It is very important to read and save this document because you will need to refer to it later when you begin repaying your loan. You have the option to electronically sign your MPN with your FAFSA PIN or you can obtain a paper application in the San Juan College Financial Aid Office.

What is an Entrance or Exit Counseling?

During entrance counseling the borrower is reminded of the seriousness of taking out a loan, the terms and conditions, the repayment obligations, and the consequences of defaulting on a loan. All borrowers of a Federal Stafford Loan must complete entrance counseling before you're given your first disbursement of the loan. Entrance counseling can be completed online at: http://mapping-your-future.org/OSLCSchoolPages/?SchoolPageID=5379&SchoolID=3362.

When a loan borrower graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time status, he/she must complete Exit Counseling. During exit counseling the terms and conditions of the repayment of the loan are reviewed, along with debt management strategies. Exit counseling can also be completed online at: http://mapping-your-future.org/OSLCSchoolPages/?SchoolPageID=6806&SchoolID=3362.

What happens if I drop hours after I receive financial aid for the semester?

In order to receive a student loan, you must be in 6 credit hours or more. As long as you are in 6 or more credit hours your loan will not be affected. If you drop below 6 credit hours you will not receive any loan disbursements and your lending institution will be notified of your change in enrollment status.

What happens if I completely withdraw after receiving financial aid?

You may be required to pay back some of the financial aid you received. San Juan College will notify you - by mail - of the amount you must repay. This information may be found under the Student Withdrawal Return of Title IV Funds located on the Financial Aid website. Exit loan counseling must also be completed.

Do I need to let the Financial Aid Office know if I'm receiving funding from a source other the Student Financial Aid?

Yes! It is extremely important that you notify our office as soon as possible if you are receiving funding from another source. Our office must take into consideration all sources of assistance you receive when awarding you Federal financial aid. Examples include but are not limited to WIA, VA, scholarships, etc. These types of assistance will affect the dollar amount you are eligible for in a student loan. Unreported aid could result in an over award, which you must repay, or a delay in processing and receiving student loan funds. As good practice, a student loan should be the last thing you apply for once all other aid is received!

Do I have to claim Pell, Loans, Scholarships, or Work study wages on my Income Taxes?

Grants and Scholarship amounts in the excess of tuition and book charges must be reported as income on your tax return. SJC Business Office will send a 1098T form at the end of the year to you reflecting this information. Loans are not required to be reported. Work Study earnings should be reported on your income taxes if you are required to file. Visit with a Tax consultant for any additional questions you may have.

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Scholarships

What happens if I drop hours after I receive financial aid for the semester?

What happens if I completely withdraw after receiving financial aid?

Do I have to make satisfactory academic progress in order to receive financial aid?

Do I have to claim Pell, Loans, Scholarships, or Work study wages on my Income Taxes?

Do I need to let the Financial Aid Office know if I'm receiving funding from a source other the Student Financial Aid?

Yes! It is extremely important that you notify our office as soon as possible if you receive funding from any source other than our office. We must take into consideration all sources of assistance you receive. Examples include, but are not limited to: WIA (Workforce Investment Act), VA (Veterans benefits) tuition waivers, scholarships, Ameri-corps grants, etc. These types of assistance affect your eligibility for financial aid. Unreported aid could result in an over award, which you must repay.

When do I receive my Native American scholarship?

Scholarship funds are credited to student accounts after they have been received. To check if we have received your scholarship, view WebAdvisor- under Financial Aid.

Why was my Native American scholarship returned?

Your financial need has been met and a portion or your entire award was returned.

Who handles the Native American scholarships?

The Financial Aid Office handles Native American scholarships.

Do I submit my Native American scholarship applications to the Financial Aid Office?

You will complete the scholarship application and submit to the respective tribal scholarship office or organization. The Financial Aid Office will only complete the Financial Need Analysis forms.

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Workstudy

How do I apply for work-study?

On the 2009-10 FAFSA, answer interested in work-study to question 31. For more information on work-study at San Juan College visit our website at wwww.sanjuancollege.edu/financialaid and click on the link to "Work-Study."

Do I have to claim Pell Grant, loans, scholarships, or work-study wages on my income taxes?

What happens if I completely withdraw after receiving financial aid?

You will not be eligible to continue in the work-study program.

What happens if I drop below the required enrollment while on work-study?

In order to participate in the work-study program, you must meet the required enrollment based on semester & funding. Requirements for Fall OR Spring : If receiving State/Federal/Departmental funding you must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. Summer requirements are the same as fall/spring if receiving Federal or State funding. If receiving institutional work-study in summer: you must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits. Before you drop any classes and are on financial aid, please meet with an Advisor in the Financial Aid Office, before doing so, as it may affect other awards as well.

Do I need to let the Financial Aid Office know if I'm receiving additional funding from another source other than from the Pell Grant?

Yes! It is extremely important that you notify our office as soon as possible if you receive funding from any source other than our office. We must take into consideration all sources of assistance you receive. Examples include, but are not limited to: WIA (Workforce Investment Act), any kind of tuition waivers, scholarships, Ameri-corps grants, JTPA, etc. These types of assistance affect your eligibility for financial aid. Unreported aid could result in an over-award, which must adjusted and possibly repaid immediately. Don't put yourself in this predicament!

How many credits do I need to participate in the work-study program?

You must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits in order to participate in the Federal or New Mexico Work-Study Programs . If you are funded Institutional Work-Study then you are required to be in a minimum of 6 credit hours in fall or spring, but only 3 in the summer term.

Can I work when we are on spring break or the breaks between semesters?

Yes, you may work during the breaks as long as you have been awarded enough to cover the additional hours and the department has enough alloted hours in their budget. You may work up to 8 hours per each day as long as the department is in need of coverage. If you are unsure you may want to check with your immediate work-study supervisor or the Financial Aid Office.

When do we get paid for work-study?

You will find the schedule of pay dates and deadlines when timesheets are due in the Personnel Office at www.sanjuancollege.edu/financialaid. Click on "work-study." Most pay dates are on the 15th and the last day of the month. Holidays and weekends may change these dates.

Where can I find a timesheet, timesheet deadlines and pay dates?

Timesheets can be obtained from www.sanjuancollege.edu/financialaid and clicking on the link, "work-study" or from your supervisor. You will find the schedule of deadlines to submit timesheets into the Personnel Office on this website. Most pay dates are on the 15th and the last day of the month. Holidays and weekends may change these dates.

Where would I look for job postings?

Job postings are located online at www.sanjuancollege.edu/financialaid Click on the link to "work-study" and then click on "Job Postings." You may also find job postings advertised in various spots around campus or through instructors and department supervisors looking for eligible work-study students.

Do I have to work 20 hours per week?

No. Students do not have to work 20 hours per week. The amount of hours you are eligible to work is based on student budgets and student financial need. However, final schedules are determined by the individual departments. You should determine your expected work schedule prior to agreeing to any job.

Do I have to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements in order to receive financial aid, including work-study?

Yes. Federal regulations require that students adhere to the standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in order to receive federal monies. For detailed information on San Juan College's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy, please check SAP.