What money?
When does financial aid get disbursed?
Disbursement occurs approximately 10 days to the start of a class.
When can I drop a class where it won't affect my financial aid?
No later than 12 days before the start of that class
The class was not required for your degree plan
Your enrollment level doesn't change
What does it mean to have an active eligible academic program on file to receive financial aid?
Program of study is a valid program and active on your student file.
Cannot be older than 5 years (catalog year)
Has a potential end date within the next two years
Name two basic requirements to remain eligible for financial aid.
Complete at least 67% of attempted courses
Maintain a 2.0 minimum GPA
Grants or "gift aid" do not have to be repaid as long as you what?
Establish attendance & participation
Make positive progress
I want to drop a class. What should I do?
Ask for help! Instructor, Financial Aid, Advisor
Use your resources! study group, lab, extra credit
Make an informed decision! Ask for help.
I'm changing my course of study next semester. When can I change my academic program?
At the end of the active semester when all grades have been posted. Making changes before that time can cause you to owe back financial aid.
Do you have to renew your FAFSA?
Yes, you renew your FAFSA for each academic year. The application opens on October 1st!
Bonus PLAY!
Bonus question is worth 2x points
Name three things that you can do to minimize loan debt.
Borrow with realistic expectations to repay the debt
Borrow only what you need
If you are able, make payments
Will dropping a class this semester affect my financial aid for next semester?
Potentially, yes it can affect your financial aid for the next semester. Visit, email, or call the Financial Aid office.
I'm enrolled full-time, and all my classes have started but I only received 25% of my financial aid. Why did I only get 25%?
Financial aid will only pay for classes that are required for your academic program on file.
You may be registered for classes that are not required or your academic program was not updated.
Can I still apply for financial aid if the priority deadline has passed?
Yes, You can apply anytime during the academic year. For maximum benefits, apply before the priority deadline (March 1).
Why should you apply for financial aid?
Offset the cost of college
Meet scholarship/sponsorship requirements
You never know what you might qualify for!
Is there a limit to how much financial aid you can get in your lifetime?
Yes, the Pell grant is limited to 600%, and undergraduate loan debt is capped at $57,500. You may be eligible for grants up to completing your first bachelor's.
Does it matter WHEN I drop my class?
Yes, dropping a class too early or later in the semester can affect the money that has already been disbursed or count against your eligibility.
I'm registered for classes that I need to transfer. Will my financial aid cover these classes?
Only classes required for your TCC academic program can be covered. Pre-requisite classes or transfer credit classes are not covered by financial aid.
Where can I check my financial aid status at TCC?
24/7 access to MyTCCTrack Portal
Call, email, or visit the Financial Aid Office
Name 3 benefits of getting employed as a work-study student.
Work around your school schedule
Easily request time to study
The total amount of aid you can receive for the semester depends on which requirement?
Most financial aid disbursement is based on the enrollment level or how many credits you are enrolled in for the semester.
Who do I talk to BEFORE I drop a class?
Instructor/Professor
Financial Aid
Advisor/Counselor
I've changed my academic program a couple of times & completed classes that I don't need. Will my financial aid be affected?
Potentially, you could reach maximum timeframe if you attempt 150% or more of a published degree program. This is equivalent to 90 credit hours attempted
What is work-study?
Work-study is a work-based grant where you will earn the funding over the course of the semester by working on campus or through a TCC-sponsored program.
Where can you get assistance applying for financial aid?
You can visit your campus Financial Aid Office for assistance or set up a virtual meeting request for one-on-one-assistance.