Applying for Financial Aid

Financial aid is any source of funds available to assist students in paying for the costs of a college education. If you think you will need assistance beyond your own financial resources, you are encouraged to apply for financial aid. The financial aid process is exactly the same for online students as for students who physically attend the campus. Most financial aid is based on demonstrated financial need and requires the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal and state grants, loans, and work-study are all need-based programs and therefore require a completed FAFSA every academic year.

FAFSA Filing Information

Fill out the entire form completely, do no leave information blank, enter "0" if an item is zero or does not apply.
Once completed, the FAFSA must be electronically signed by the student and one parent, unless the student is considered independent based on FASFA criteria.
Follow the steps provided during the FAFSA filing process to obtain a personal identification number (PIN) for both the student and one parent to sign the FAFSA.
Champlain College's school code is 003684.
Review your completed FAFSA for errors and make corrections, if necessary.
Be sure to "submit" the FAFSA after the applicable PINs for student and parent have been entered.

FAFSA Filing Help

Customer Service Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 12 a.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Phone: 1-800-433-3243
Web Chat: Contact FAFSA representatives live, online, by selecting the "Chat" option, featured within the application pages.

After the FAFSA is filed

Once your FAFSA has been submitted, the Department of Education processes your application and sends it securely to Champlain College. The Office of Financial Aid at Champlain reviews your information and prepares a personalized financial aid award letter. During the review you are considered for all Champlain Scholarships (merit and need-based awards), as well as federal grant, loan, and work study programs.

In order to be eligible to receive financial aid, you must

Be accepted to the College as a degree or certificate student in an eligible program. Note: You may apply for aid before you are accepted; however, aid will not be offered until you have been admitted to the College.
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Have a valid Social Security Number.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Be registered with Selective Service, if required.
Meet minimum standards of academic progress as outlined in the Champlain College Student Handbook
Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
Certify that you are not in default on any federal loan or owe money on a federal grant.

Financial Aid Award Notification

If you are accepted under an Early Decision Plan, you will also receive an estimated financial aid award package with your acceptance letter, which may include merit, need-based, and federal awards.

Early Decision I (November 15 application deadline) applicants will be notified of their admission decision by December 15 and will also receive a financial aid award package at that time if all deadlines are met.

Early Decision II (January 15 application deadline) applicants will be notified of their admission decision by February 15 and will also receive a financial aid award package at that time if all deadlines are met.

Regular Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision by

March 15 and will also receive a financial aid award package in late March if all deadlines are met.

Transfer applicants, will be notified of their admission decision by July 1 (for a Fall start date) and December 1 (for a Spring start date) and will also receive a financial aid award package at that time if all deadlines are met.

Returning students, your FAFSA priority deadline is April 1, 2012. Financial Aid awards will start going out to students who have a complete financial aid file on or before June 1, 2012.