Financial Aid Checklist

If you think you can't afford college, think again! There's plenty of ways to fund college.

Use this guide to help with financial aid and funding resources. 

Seattle Central College Bengal Tigers mascot logo

You must be enrolled and pursuing a financial aid approved degree or certificate offered by Seattle Central College. Explore programs here: Explore Programs of Study. Financial aid will only cover classes required for the completion of your program.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Short-term Training, GED, ESL, Running Start, FAM, and High School Completion classes are not eligible for financial aid.

Are you taking 6 credits or more? Full-time is 12 credits. However, you are eligible for a pro-rated financial aid award when taking 6 credits or more in a quarter. (there is a limited financial aid award for enrollment of fewer than 6 credits)

Have you earned a bachelor's degree from any other institution (foreign or domestic)? You are not eligible for federal or state grants. Work-Study, institutional grant aid and/or loans may be available to students pursuing an eligible Professional/Technical degree or certificate at Central.

To miantain financial aid eligibility at Seattle Central, you must attend classes regularly and make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Guide.

Are you receiving financial aid from another institution? If so, you are not eligible for financial aid at this time.

Students who are undecided or non-degree seeking are NOT eligible for financial aid. If you selected “undecided” or “non-award seeking”, please contact the financial aid office at financialaid.central@seattlecolleges.edu

All students should complete a FAFSA or WAFSA application to maximize your college funding! If you are looking for loans and scholarships, please refer to the “Additional Funding Options” below.

* Submit your FAFSA or WASFA as soon as you know you want to attend Central
Determine whether you fill out the FAFSA or WASFA application

Check FAFSA Eligibility Use the WASFA Questionnaire

Complete the FAFSA or WASFA as soon as possible

FAFSA WASFA

* Use the Financial Aid resource webpage for tips for completing the applications!

Check your email for confirmation from FAFSA or WASFA that your application was received
 
Read the "Welcome" email from financialaid.central@seattlecolleges.edu for next steps
* Expect this email within 7-10 days *after* you've been admitted to Seattle Central
Check ctcLink for "conditions of award letter" 14 days (about 2 weeks) after submitting your FAFSA or WAFSA
* This letter is found in the Financial Aid tile of ctcLink   
* No action is required; you are responsible to follow the conditions of the award.

Pro-tip: You may receive a “verification requirement” email from financial aid. If you do, please respond to it as soon as possible.

Read the Bank Mobile refund email and activate your account
 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bank Mobile is a Third-party organization that is partnered with Seattle Central College to send money directly to students in a Bank Mobile bank account, paper check, or direct-deposit to an existing bank account.

Pro-tip: If you receive a refund, you can use it on books and supplies

Read the email from Financial Aid Office with eligibility notification
* This letter is also found in the Financial Aid tile of ctcLink

Make it a healthy habit to check your Seattle Colleges student email regularly

BEFORE EVERY QUARTER STARTS AND BEFORE EVERY QUARTER ENDS:

Estimate all your costs for the quarter
* Use the net cost calculator
Understand your Financial Aid award

* Read the eligibility notification carefully  

  • How much money were you awarded?
  • For which quarters did you receive funding?
  • Are there requirements to remain eligible (ex: # of credits, GPA)?
Calculate what costs remain
* Student portal in ctcLink should show if there are any remaining tuition and fee costs   
* Remember to consider other costs (expenses that won't be in the ctcLink student portal- i.e. personal expenses)
Explore options to cover the remaining costs
 

Pro Tip: If interested in paying tuition in installments, apply for a payment plan early on

Know what deadlines apply to you
* Tuition deadlines (pay before deadline to prevent being dropped from your classes)      
* Drop/refund deadlines (when can you drop classes and still receive a refund)
Learn about refund periods
For employer vouchers and 3rd party payments, contact Financial Aid as soon as possible
If you have received any financial aid award, the remaining tuition and fees need to be received by "end of 100% refund period"
Learn about deadlines for payment plans early you're using one

FASFA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the application used by most students for federal grants, work-study, and loans. This application is used as a baseline for most types of financial aid.

WASFA

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid is for students who do not file a FAFSA. A student should complete the WASFA if they are undocumented or do not qualify for federal financial aid because of their immigration status.

Portal

An online account access page which requires a login and contains personal information.

Grants

Funds used to help pay for school that are typically need-based. You are considered for several institutional, state, and Federal grants when you apply for the FAFSA. Grants do not need to be paid back.

Scholarships

Money that can be used to help pay for school. Scholarships typically require an application, and there are scholarships available from local organizations, corporations, and the institution itself. Scholarships do not need to be paid back.

Loans

Money borrowed in order to help pay for school that would need to be repaid in the future. Loans are considered a form of self-help financial aid.

Payment Plan

The structuring of costs over a given period of time. (Determined with the Tuition Office)

Financial Aid Office

Office in charge of assigning and disbursing funds that can be used to pay for school.

Tuition Office

Office in charge of assigning tuition and fees, processing refunds, and developing a payment plan.

Bank Mobile

Third-party organization that is partnered with Seattle Central College to send money directly to the students in a Bank Mobile bank account, paper check, or direct-deposit to an existing bank account.

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