Financial Aid FAQs
Frequently asked financial aid questions:
The information you reported on your FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The formula used to calculate your EFC is established by law and is used to measure your family's financial strength on the basis of your family's income and assets. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid and indicates how much money you and your family are expected to contribute toward your cost of attendance for the school year. If your EFC is below a certain number, you'll be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements. Once you have signed and returned your enrollment agreement to South Hills the Financial Aid Office will process your aid. The Financial Aid office will notify you with an award letter indicating the aid for which you are eligible. Each time your aid package changes you will receive a new award letter.
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
A: Visit the South Hills location nearest you and one of our financial aid advisors will be happy to help you. They're experts in developing financial aid packages according each student’s individual needs.
Q: What types of financial aid are available for South Hills students?
A:
Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) are funds that are awarded based on financial need, and they don't generally have to be repaid.
High School Senior Scholarships are available to graduating seniors. For more details, contact an admissions advisor at a South Hills location near you.
Federal Work Study is a program that provides both on- and off-campus jobs to students with financial need, so that they can earn money to help pay for their education expenses.
Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) are loans that must be repaid with interest.
Federal Parent PLUS Loans allow parents to borrow up to the full cost of college less other financial aid received. Alternative Loans are based on ability to repay rather than financial need.
Alternative loans allow students to borrow up to the full cost of education less other financial aid received. Although students apply for these loans in their own name, a cosigner is recommended.
Q: Where can I get information about federal student financial aid?
A:
Stop by the South Hills location nearest you, or call 1-888-282-7427. One of our financial aid advisors will be happy to help you.
You may also call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). This is the U.S. Department of Education's toll-free hotline. Staffers can answer your questions about federal aid programs and the FAFSA.
Q: Where can I get the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
A:
You can get the FAFSA form from the financial aid office at any South Hills location. You can also find the FAFSA form at your local public library, by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243), or by visiting http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Q: How do I get a PIN?
A:
If you do not have a PIN and you have not already submitted your FAFSA, go to www.pin.ed.gov and select Apply for a PIN. To apply for a PIN, you will need to provide your Social Security Number, full name, complete address, date of birth, e-mail address (if you have one) and a security pass phrase. Once you have completed the PIN application, select the "Submit Request" button. If the information you entered passes an identity check with the Social Security Administration, a PIN will be mailed or e-mailed to you. If you do not have a PIN and you already submitted your FAFSA, you will automatically be issued a PIN. If you provided an e-mail address on your FAFSA, a link to your PIN will be e-mailed to you. If you did not provide your e-mail address, your PIN will be mailed to you in approximately 7-10 business days after your FAFSA is processed. If you already have a PIN and you do not remember it or would like to be sent another copy, go to www.pin.ed.gov and select Request a Duplicate PIN. To complete the PIN Request, you will need to provide your Social Security Number, the first two (2) letters of your last name, and your date of birth. If you already have a PIN and you attempt to apply for a new one, you will be told that you have already been assigned a PIN. You will then have a chance to update your PIN mailing address.
Q: Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?
A:
Yes. According to federal regulations, students are required to apply for financial aid every year. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education will send you an email reminding you to reapply. If you need assistance, talk to your financial aid advisor - they're happy to help.
Q: How will I know what I’m eligible for?
A:
The information you reported on your FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The formula used to calculate your EFC is established by law and is used to measure your family's financial strength on the basis of your family's income and assets. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid and indicates how much money you and your family are expected to contribute toward your cost of attendance for the school year. If your EFC is below a certain number, you'll be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements. Once you have signed and returned your enrollment agreement to South Hills the Financial Aid Office will process your aid. The Financial Aid office will notify you with an award letter indicating the aid for which you are eligible. Each time your aid package changes you will receive a new award letter.
Q: I don't think I'll qualify for financial aid. Should I still apply?
A:
Yes. A financial aid advisor can help you fill out the form.
Also, some sources of financial aid, such as Unsubsidized Stafford and Parent PLUS Loans are available regardless of need but you must file the FAFSA to be considered for these types of aid.
Q: When should I submit my FAFSA? Will I need to wait until my taxes or my parents' taxes (for dependent students) have been processed to file?
A:
The FAFSA is accepted any time after the 1st of January each year.
Q: My mother and father do not support me and I am no longer living at home; can I apply for financial aid on my own?
A:
In order to be considered an independent student, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be at least 24 years of age before January 1 of the award year for which you are applying,
- Be an orphan or ward of the court until the age of 18,
- Have a child/children for whom you provide more than half their financial support,
- Be a married student,
- Be a veteran of, or currently on active duty in, the armed forces,
- Be a graduate student, or
- Have a legal dependent other than a spouse or child.
In addition:
- You must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal education loan.
- You must have financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans).
- You must not have any drug convictions.
Other requirements may apply. Contact your school's financial aid office for more information.
If you do not meet one of the above criteria and you want to apply for federal aid, the U.S. Department of Education requires you to supply parental information and signatures.
Q: My parents are divorced/separated and I am no longer living with either of them. Which parent's information will I need to supply?
A:
The parent with whom you lived the most during the past 12 months should complete the application. If you lived with each parent for an equal amount of time, you will need the parent who provided you with the most financial support during the last year to complete the application.
Q: I am planning to attend South Hills as a part-time student. Will I qualify for financial aid?
A:
Part-time students must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (a minimum of six semester credits or the equivalent per semester) during a specific term in order to be considered for State Grant aid. You must inform your financial aid administrator if you will be receiving tuition reimbursement from your employer. Part-time grants are calculated at one-half of the applicant's eligibility for a full-time award.
Q: What kind of expenses does financial aid cover?
A:
Financial aid must be used to pay the cost of education, which may include:
- tuition
- fees
- books
- supplies, and
- other education-related expenses (when funds are available)
Q: Is there a deadline?
A:
Yes. If you are a new student in Pennsylvania – which means you have never applied for financial aid before - your deadline is August 1st. If you have applied before, your deadline is May 1st.
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