Financial Aid, Scholarships and Student Employment Office

Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

See also: Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Asked Questions

How do I apply for Financial Aid? back to top

Apply using the online FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) using your computer or one of TMCC's student computer kiosks located on the Dandini Campus. Or, if you prefer, go to the Financial Aid Office in room 315 of the Red Mountain Building and pick up and mail in a paper application.

What kind of financial aid is available? back to top

Grants, scholarships, student employment and loans are available at TMCC.

What do I have to do to qualify for financial aid? back to top

The qualification process is lengthy. In order to determine if someone is eligible, they need to apply.

What is a Pell grant? back to top

A Pell grant is a federal grant for education that does not need to be paid back. You must qualify for a Pell grant, which is based upon your income.

Do I have to pay back the financial aid I receive? back to top

Loans always need to be paid back. Pell grant monies need to be paid back if they are awarded and the student does not attend classes. Grants do not need to be paid back.

Why do I have to have a high school diploma? back to top

The Department of Education and the federal government require that each student who receives financial aid have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Why do you need a copy of my tax returns? back to top

Approximately 33 percent of all financial aid applicants are selected for verification. Applicants are required to furnish income information on the FAFSA application.

If I am an emancipated minor, am I now independent? back to top

The status of emancipated minor is not recognized by the Department of Education for financial aid purposes; such a student must meet one of the other listed criteria to be independent.

If I am in the National Guard or an Active Duty military member, am I considered a veteran for purposes of filling out the FAFSA? back to top

If you were a member of the National Guard or were a Reservist who was called to Active Duty for other than training purposes and can verify that your release from Active Duty was other than dishonorable, you are considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes.

If you are on Active Duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard, but will be a veteran by June 30 of the year you are applying for aid, and can verify that your release from Active Duty as other than dishonorable, you are considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes. If your Active Duty will continue past June 30, however, you are not considered a veteran for FAFSA purposes.

I am entering financial information for my mother and stepfather on the form. Should I list my father's Social Security Number (SSN) and last name, or my stepfather's information? back to top

You should provide the SSN and last name of the same person or people for whom you are reporting financial information. In this case, provide the SSNs and names of your mother and stepfather.

How does a family decide who should be counted in the household size? back to top

Anyone in the immediate family who receives more than 50 percent pf their support from a dependent student's parents or an independent student and spouse may be counted in the household size, even if that person does not reside in the house, as in the case of a sibling who is over 24-years-old but still in college and receiving the majority of their support from parents. Siblings who are dependent as of the date you apply for aid are also included, regardless of whether they receive at least 50 percent of their support from their parents. Any other person who resides in the household and receives more than 50 percent support from the parents may also be counted, such as an aunt or cousin, so long as the support is expected to continue from July 1, through June 30, of the current academic year. An unborn child who will be born during the award year may also be counted in the household size.

Household size and tax exemptions are not necessarily the same. Exemptions look at the previous year or tax year and household size refers to the school year for which the student is applying for aid.

My brother is 28-years-old and still lives with us. Do we count him in the number in my parents' household? back to top

Include your brother if he receives more than half his support from your parents and will continue to receive more than half his support from July 1, through June 30, of the current academic year.

My parents separated four months ago. I live with my mother. My parents filed a joint tax return and claimed me as an exemption. Do I report both their incomes or just my mother's information? back to top

Report only your mother's income and asset information because you lived with her the most during the past 12 months. Use a W-2 Form or other record(s) that show her share of the income reported and taxes paid on the tax return.

Who qualifies to be counted in the number of people enrolled in college? back to top

Any person who is counted in the household and will be attending any term of the academic year at least half time. Do not, however, count your parents in the number in college. The enrolled family member must attend an eligible program at an eligible institution. You (the student) need not be enrolled half time, however, to be counted in the number in college. To be counted in the number in college, the person must also be working toward a degree or certificate leading to a recognized education credential at a post-secondary school that is eligible to participate in federal student aid programs.

What is the difference between Student Employment and Job Placement? back to top

Student Employment offers part-time jobs that help students gain skills and experience while attending college. These are usually not career oriented positions. The Job Placement service is focused on finding positions for students once they graduate. The service also offers help with resumes and interview techniques.

How many hours per week can you work and still be successful in school? back to top

Statistics gathered nationally show that students who work 20 hours per week or less on-campus do much better than students who work more.

What is ability to benefit? back to top

The U.S. Department of Education has identified a list of commonly administered standardized tests any one of which an individual who is a non-high school graduate can take to demonstrate that s/he has the intellectual ability to benefit from a college education. Each test has a pre-determined passing score. TMCC uses only the ACCUPLACER test to prove ability to benefit.

When should I apply for aid? back to top

You should apply as soon as possible after January 1 each year. You should apply and complete your file by July 1 for fall term, December 1 for spring term, and April 15 for summer term to ensure that you receive aid (if you are eligible) in time to pay your fees. If you complete your file after these dates, you will be expected to pay your own fees and will be reimbursed if you are eligible.

What is TMCC's school code? back to top

TMCC's school code is 010363.