STEPS TO APPLY

STEP 1: Acquire a Personal Identification Number

Apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov before completing the FAFSA on the Web. Both students and parents of dependent students should obtain a PIN. The U.S. Department of Education will send you a PIN once you have submitted your FAFSA
Allow 3 to 10 days for receipt.
SAVE your PIN. Your PIN must be activated with each award year at www.pin.ed.gov.

STEP 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

When Chattanooga State downloads a student’s FAFSA from the Central Processing Center (CPS), the student will receive a letter from the Chattanooga State Financial Aid Office with instructions on how to review your application status online.
Resources that assist with completing the FAFSA:
- Chattanooga State Financial Aid Office
- Educational Opportunity Center (for adults who are not currently enrolled in college) (423-425-1702)
- Your high school counselor
Complete the FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Complete the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet before beginning to enter your information.
Prior to beginning insure you have the necessary documents to complete the application. (i.e. social security number, driver's license, income tax return, and bank statements).
You can utilize available computers in the CSTCC Financial Aid Office. The staff will assist you in completing the FAFSA if you have questions.
The Federal Processing Center analyzes your FAFSA information to determine an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Based on a federally mandated formula, the EFC is the amount of support that you and your family are expected to
provide for your educational expenses.

If you use the paper version, mail your completed/signed application to the Federal Processing Center in the envelope provided with the application. The paper form may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

If you use the Web version, use your PIN to electronically "sign" your application. If you are a dependent, your parent(s) must electronically "sign," too, using their PIN.

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STEP 3: Apply to CSTCC & Declare a Major in an Eligible Degree or Certificate Program

You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program to receive financial aid. Contact the admissions office at 423-697-4401 or 1-866-547-3733 for questions concerning admission application or declaring a major.
Check with the Financial Aid Office - additional documents may be required to complete your Financial Aid Packet that are not required in the Admissions Office (i.e. transcripts)

STEP 4: Verify Information on Your Student Aid Report (SAR)

The results of your FAFSA are reported to you in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR) approximately 1-4 weeks after submitting your FAFSA depending on whether you filed the FAFSA online or submitted by mail.
The SAR provides your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC will be used to determine the amount of federal aid you will be awarded.
Review your SAR carefully to check for accuracy. Correct any incorrect information.
Our office will review an electronic version of your SAR to see if additional or supplementary information is needed.

STEP 5: Check on the Status of Your Application

Check the status of your Financial Aid application from any computer at "Banner Self-Service"

Enter User ID (A# or Social Security Number)
Enter Pin:
Click "Login"
Click "Financial Aid"
Click "Financial Aid Status"
Select the appropriate term
Review student requirements for the status of your application

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STEP 6: Provide Additional Information if Necessary

Additional information or documentation may be needed to complete your application.
Respond to all requests as quickly as possible.
Submit information via U.S. mail or drop it by the Financial Aid Office.
Any delay in submitting additional documents will delay your financial aid award.
Verification: When the Central Processing System (CPS) processes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid it selects applications for a process called verification. If your application is selected for verification, additional documents (copies of federal tax returns, income information, etc) will be required to complete your financial aid application. If selected, the verification process must be completed prior to your financial aid being awarded. Depending on when all documents are turned into the financial aid office, the process takes three (3) to five (6) weeks before a student is awarded.

STEP 7: Review Your Award Letter

You will receive an award letter informing you of the type(s) and amount(s) of financial aid you are eligible to receive.

Your awards are based on an established cost of attendance and your expected family contribution.

	Cost of Attendance
minus	EFC
equals	Student Need
minus	Pell Grant & SEOG
minus	Veteran Benefits
minus	Scholarships, grants, work-study, fee waivers...etc
equals	Loan Need

The Federal Work Study, Loans and scholarship awards must be accepted or declined utilizing "Banner Self-Service"

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STEP 8: Enroll and Confirm Your Attendance

Register for classes in accordance with the instructions provided by the Admissions Office
Confirm your registration
- Log-in Banner
- Click Student
- Click Student Account
- Click Account Detail for Term/Confirm Enrollment/Credit Card Payment
- Select The current term
- Click Yes, I will attend
Students that owe money must either pay their fees to confirm their registration, or get a financial aid deferment from the Financial Aid Office prior to confirming attendance.
If you do not receive a Confirmation Number, your attendance is NOT confirmed and you owe a balance.

STEP 9: Financial Aid Refund Checks

Checks will be mailed to the student's address.
Once a student receives their financial aid check, the student is responsible for any balances on their account due to adding or dropping classes. For example, a student who drops a class after receiving their financial aid check and prior to the final drop/add date will be responsible for the balance due.

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