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.
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.
Determine whether you fill out the FAFSA or WASFA application
* 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.
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
Make it a healthy habit to check your Seattle Colleges student email regularly
BEFORE EVERY QUARTER STARTS AND BEFORE EVERY QUARTER ENDS:
* 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)?
* Remember to consider other costs (expenses that won't be in the ctcLink student portal- i.e. personal expenses)
Pro Tip: If interested in paying tuition in installments, apply for a payment plan early on
* Drop/refund deadlines (when can you drop classes and still receive a refund)
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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