The most important step you need to take when seeking financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing your FAFSA determines your eligibility for financial aid awards. To continue receiving financial aid, you must complete a new FAFSA for each academic year.
The Department of Education is redesigning the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 school year as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act. While applying for FAFSA for the upcoming school year typically begins Oct. 1, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023. This is only for 2024. After the 2024-2025 aid year, the FAFSA will be available in October as usual.
AACC is still receiving information regarding the new, simplified FAFSA and will be working through several changes as outlined by federal law. Here's what we know so far:
Stay tuned for updates on the exact release date of the 2024-2025 FAFSA. In the meantime, feel free to get a head start by creating FSA IDs for yourself and asking your contributors to create their own unique FSA ID.
As a credit student, no matter which funding choices you plan to pursue, the first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. The information from your FAFSA allows the financial aid team at AACC to assess your unique situation and help you access the financial aid package that’s right for you.
We urge you to take this important step regardless of whether or not you think you’ll qualify for aid. You may be pleasantly surprised.
As a reminder, to be eligible for Maryland state scholarships, including the Maryland Promise, you must complete your FAFSA by March 1.
Be sure to list AACC as one of your schools using the AACC Federal School Code 002058.
New Students
If you’re new to AACC, your next step is to apply for admission. After you receive your letter of acceptance, create a MyAACC account and password. This portal will allow you to monitor any documentation requests, apply for scholarships and register for classes.
Receive Student Aid Report
Within a couple of weeks of submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) by email from the federal processor. Review it carefully and make sure your information is correct. You’ll have the chance to make corrections online. Your SAR will be sent to all the schools listed on your FAFSA. If AACC is not listed on your SAR, be sure to add it. AACC's school code is 002058.
Monitor Your Financial Aid Status
Once the FAFSA is complete, our financial aid advisors will begin evaluating your financial profile for scholarship and aid opportunities, and they’ll contact you with any requests for additional required documentation through your AACC email. You also may check your status by logging into MyAACC.
Be sure to respond immediately to any requests and call us if you have any questions. Details matter when applying for financial aid, and any delays or mistakes can lead to aid being lost. Let us help you make sure your files are accurate and complete.
Once the review of your financial aid application is complete, you will receive an email review with your financial aid offer. You can also check on your financial aid status anytime by using Financial Aid Self-Services on MyAACC.
The financial aid offer will state the type and amount of financial aid you potentially could receive, as well as the next steps you will need to take. Your financial aid offer is not a bill and the total amount(s) could change based on your enrollment.
To view your financial aid offer, log in to MyAACC. From the menu, select Self-Services > Financial Aid. The offer is listed under the My Awards tab.
Under the My Awards tab you will see detailed financial aid information about any financial aid that has been offered to you. You do not have to accept or decline your offers. If you have not submitted all of your requested documents, you will not be able to view your award offer until those items are received and reviewed.
The offers are broken down by term and assume full-time enrollment. Financial aid is prorated based on the actual credit hours being taken. Loans have to be repaid, but scholarships, work-study and grants do not.
Remember:
If you are registered for classes, you can use View Disbursements to see how your financial aid will be applied to your term balance. Financial aid may not show up on your term balance until the day after you register. Our system checks to see if your classes are required before making the calculation and this process happens overnight.
You can view and print your offer letter by using the Offer Letter tab. Instructions on how to apply for a student loan and a link to the AACC Loan Request Form are found at the bottom of the offer letter. Federal borrowing limits are set by the U.S. Department of Education. There is an established lifetime limit on the amount of loan money you can borrow as an undergraduate. We encourage you to think about borrowing and only borrow what you need. Federal Direct Student Loans need to be paid back in full, using a repayment plan through your loan servicer, not AACC.
Colleges and universities are required, by the U.S. Department of Education, to evaluate students’ academic progress. If a student is not meeting the school's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements as outlined in the school’s SAP policy, then the student is suspended and becomes ineligible to receive federal, state or scholarship aid.
At AACC, all SAP standards must be met as set by the Federal government (HEA Sec. 484(c), 34 CFR 668.16(e) 34 CFR 668.32(f) 34 CFR 668.34) in order to maintain your financial aid eligibility. SAP is evaluated at the end of each term (fall, spring and summer).
If your financial aid is suspended, then you will have the option to appeal with the financial aid office. SAP appeals are submitted for the last term you attended, not for the current term you are attending.
SAP PRIORITY REVIEW DEADLINES
Appeals received after the priority deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed by the end of the term. This may impact your eligibility for financial aid funds if you are currently enrolled.
Learn more about the AACC Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.
Financial aid is first applied against your unpaid tuition and fees for the current term. The credit is made on your account after the drop period has concluded and after attendance has been recorded. Award amounts for scholarships and grants are adjusted to reflect your actual enrollment at the conclusion of the drop period.
If you are not eligible for financial aid based on your actual enrollment or your financial aid is not enough to pay your tuition and fees and book charges, you must pay the balance by the end of the term.
Learn more about the AACC financial aid disbursement process, refunds and book advances.
To continue receiving financial aid, you must complete a new FAFSA for each academic year.