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Apply for Grants, Loans and Work Programs

To apply for student loans and most federal and state grants, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most grants and Federal Work-study funds are only available to students who demonstrate financial need.  The Federal Work-study program helps students earn money for school expenses. 

Student loans are available to students with or without financial need, but you must file a FAFSA. There is no credit check, but you must meet the General Eligibility Requirements. Students who show financial need may qualify for a Subsidized Stafford Loan which is interest free during school for students who meet the enrollment criteria. The Unsusidized Stafford Loan does not require financial need, but it is not interest free during school.

  1. Review the General Eligibility Requirements.
  2. Review the available Financial Aid Programs.
  3. If you are a new student, apply for admission to AACC.
  4. Submit a FAFSA. Our School Code is 002058.
    • Each FAFSA covers one academic year (Fall-Spring-Summer).
    • For Fall 2007 - Summer 2008, submit a 2007-2008 FAFSA
      • It's not too late to apply for federal grants and loans for 2007-2008. Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.
    • For Fall 2008 – Summer 2009, submit a 2008-2009 FAFSA. 
      • 2008-2009 Deadline: To be considered for state aid, submit your FAFSA between Janauary 1, 2008 and March 1, 2008. If you can’t complete your 2007 federal income tax return(s) (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) by March 1, you are allowed to report estimated tax data on your FAFSA, but you must correct these estimates after you finish your taxes. After March 1, you've missed the state aid deadline, but you can still apply for federal loans and grants. 
      • If you are transferring to another school, some schools have February deadlines for school-based funds. Check their financial aid office for more information.
    • If the FAFSA requests your parent's financial data, and you have trouble obtaining this data, please review the dependency status regulations.
    • The FAFSA bases your financial need on last year's income data. If your annual income has significantly decreased or you have other special financial issues or changes, please read about Special Circumstances.
  5. Register for your courses.
    You can register for courses before your financial aid application is complete. If you can't afford your first tuition payment, ask our office about postponing your payment based on a pending aid application.
  6. Apply for other sources of aid:
  7. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR).
    Three to four weeks after you submit your FAFSA, the federal processor will send you a SAR. Carefully review it and make sure that all information is correct. If there are errors, use the SAR corrections forms or make corrections online. They will also send your SAR data to all the schools listed on your FAFSA. Do not mail your SAR to AACC. 
    If your SAR does not list AACC, go online or call 1-800-4FED-AID and add our school code (002058). If you call, they will ask for a DRN number from your SAR form. If you need another copy or your SAR, call 1-800-4FED-AID.
  8. Respond to any requests for additional documents.
    Once we receive your SAR data, we will review it.  If there are any problems, we will request additional documents. Please carefully read our notices and respond promptly to all requests. Delays can lead to lost aid. If you are selected for verification we will send you a Verification Worksheet.  You must return the worksheet and signed copies of your Federal Income Tax Returns (forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ). Your application will not be complete until we have received and reviewed all requested documents.
  9. Wait for an Award Packet.
    Once your application is complete, we will send you an Award Packet in the mail. We usually start sending notices for the next academic year (Fall-Spring-Summer) in June. 
  10. Borrowing a Student Loan
    If you requested loans, your award packet will list your maximum loan amount, and will include loan information and application forms. You must choose a lender and the amount you want to borrow.  For more information, go to choosing a lender. If this is the first time you have borrowed a Federal Stafford Loan you must also complete an entrance interview. 
  11. Reapply for next year's financial aid.
    To continue receiving financial aid, you must file a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA for each academic year. The 2008-2009 FAFSA can’t be filed until January 1, 2008. For Maryland state aid, you must submit this FAFSA by March 1, 2008. 

Last Updated: May 16 2008 1:21PM