Financial Aid

How do I file for Financial Aid?

Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov (FAFSA on the Web) to apply. Be sure to read all of the directions.
The electronic FAFSA can take two weeks to process. This process should be fully completed
by the time you register. All students utilizing Financial Aid are required to provide a final official
high school transcript or GED certificate to the Student Academic Success Center, Room A120,
prior to enrollment. Students who are unable to meet this requirement may still qualify for
Financial Aid by taking the Ability to Benefit Test.

What am I applying for?

By submitting your FAFSA to the processing center, you are enabling yourself to be considered
for federal and state Financial Aid. Aid programs include Grants (funds that are not paid back)
and Work Study (employment, usually on campus, for which you are paid bimonthly). Some
scholarships are also based on the FAFSA results, but they often require their own application
process.

Does Financial Aid cover books?

You can check with the Financial Aid Office in Room A128 to see if you qualify for a book
voucher. Vouchers are given two weeks prior to the start of class. You must have turned in all
of the appropriate documents to be eligible to receive your voucher.

How do I sign my FAFSA?

You can get a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov. You can use your PIN as your signature or print
out a signature page just prior to submitting your application. If you are filing as a dependent,
the appropriate parent must also get a PIN or sign the signature sheet. Make sure that all
signatures are properly submitted or the processing center will not be able to complete your
Financial Aid results.

When should I fill out a FAFSA? When can I get an application?

If you are planning to utilize Financial Aid to pay for your classes, you must complete the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. If your Financial
Aid application is not processed by the time of registration, you must be prepared to pay
for your classes. The FAFSA becomes available on January 1. We encourage you to fill out
the FAFSA as soon as the appropriate tax return is available.

How will I find out what Financial Aid I qualify for?

After the Financial Aid Office receives your FAFSA results from the processing center, collect all
required documents and correct any discrepancies, you will be sent an eligibility letter. The
letter will list all of the types of Financial Aid for which you qualify.

How is Financial Aid disbursed?

Pell Grants are disbursed in two payments within the semester. After your bill with the college is
paid in full, any excess funds are refunded to you. You must attend class for your
disbursements to be made. If you are not attending class, your aid amount may be reduced or
held until you are back in good standing with your class.
Verify that your address is correct on http://My.CCC.edu to make sure that your refund will get
to you.

How often do I have to re-apply?

Your FAFSA is good for one academic year. After a fall and spring semester pass, you will
need to reapply for the next year.

Is there Financial Aid for summer classes?

Summer classes do not receive designated aid, but if you were not full time for the fall and/or
spring semester of the given academic year, you can use funds left over from your fall and
spring aid toward tuition for summer classes.

Does Financial Aid work for all classes at Wright?

No. Financial Aid covers all credit classes and numbered developmental classes, but it does
not cover Pre-Credit (PC) classes or Continuing Education classes.

Is it too late to file for Financial Aid for the upcoming semester?

You can still apply for Financial Aid for the fall, but you must complete your file as soon as
possible to be eligible for student aid. You can receive your federal Pell Grant by applying at
any point in the year. There is, however, a deadline for application in order to receive some
state funding. This deadline changes, so contact the Financial Aid Office to find out the date of
the deadline ((773) 481-8100 – Room A128).

How do I find out if I have a Financial Aid refund and how do I get it?

In order to make see whether you will receive a refund, check on http://My.CCC.edu. The
checks are mailed directly to the student, so you should also use the website to verify your
address to ensure that the refund is being mailed to the correct address. The time period for the
check’s arrival varies – check with the Financial Aid Office.

How do I claim military benefits?

Students planning on using military benefits should contact Helen Stein in the Financial Aid
Office at (773) 481-8115. You will need the form that shows which kind of discharge you
received (member 4 of your DD214).