Applying for Financial Assistance - Step by Step

1. Apply for admission to St. Petersburg College

Be sure to apply for admission and pay your application fee to St. Petersburg College. This is critical as your financial assistance cannot be processed in the system unless you have first been admitted to the college.

2. Get your Federal Student Aid PIN

Before you apply for federal financial aid, you must apply for a PIN. This number is used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your U.S. Department of Education records online. It serves both as an electronic signature and provides access to your personal records online. Electronic signatures hold the same legal status as written signatures so please keep this number in a secure place.

If you are a new applicant and you or your parents do not have a federal PIN, be sure to apply for one at the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site before you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If you have received a PIN previously but no longer have access to it, you may request a Duplicate PIN or change your PIN online.

3. Complete the federal application

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Federal Renewal Application on the Federal Student Aid Web site.


If you decide to complete the paper FAFSA, you will need to mail the completed form to the federal processor using the envelope that comes with the form. Do not mail any other forms, including tax returns, with the paper FAFSA application.

In step 6 of the application, list St. Petersburg College and the SPC code 001528 as indicated.

4. Know your priority deadlines

Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. Applications submitted before March 15 are given first priority consideration for Federal Supplemental Grants, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Student Incentive Grants, as well as state and institutional aid. FAS Priority Deadlines are listed at www.spjc.edu/central/ssfa/GrantsPage/g_index.htm

5. SUBMIT YOUR TRANSCRIPTS

In order to receive financial assistance you must be degree seeking and to become a degree-seeking student you must submit all your transcripts.

To learn more about requesting transcripts :  http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/forms/hs_trans.htm.


6. REVIEW YOUR STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR)

You should receive a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail within four to six weeks after you filed the FAFSA, if you mailed your application. If you filed your FAFSA electronically, your SAR may be sent to the e-mail address you applied on the FAFSA within two to four weeks. The SAR summarizes the information you submitted on the FAFSA.

Review the SAR carefully for errors. If necessary, make any corrections on Part 2 of the SAR, following the instructions on the SAR, and return it promptly to the address listed on the SAR. If corrections are not necessary, keep the SAR for your records.

7. SUBMIT REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION TO OUR OFFICE

Your financial assistance file may require additional documentation. If so, you will receive a letter or an e-mail from Financial Assistance Services office. Financial aid files must be complete by the priority deadline each semester to guarantee funds being received by the beginning of classes. Your file will not be complete until this requested information is reviewed and processed by our office. Respond quickly to our request for additional documentation.

When your FAFSA is processed, you could be randomly selected by the federal processor for a process called Verification. There will be a message on your SAR notifying you that you have been selected for Verification. The process of Verification is a federal requirement which confirms data that was supplied by you and/or your parents in your FAFSA.

You will be notified by the Financial Assistance Services office if you have been selected for Verification and need to submit additional documentation to our office. These documents could include: signed copies of federal tax returns, a Verification Worksheet, documentation of independent status, etc. Submit the requested documentation to the Financial Assistance office quickly, as the Verification process may delay your file from being completed by several weeks. Your financial aid file is considered complete after the Verification process has been completed. After your file is complete and you have registered for classes, you will be notified of your grant assistance.

8. APPLY FOR A STUDENT LOAN

Once your financial assistance file is completed, you may apply for a student loan. Be sure to read all information pertaining to the process. You are required to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours prior to your loan being certified by SPC. At least one of the credits must be a college level credit. Students who are enrolled only in remedial classes are not eligible for student loans.

9. SIGN YOUR MASTER PROMISSORY NOTE

Once your loan is approved, you must sign a Master Promissory Note before your loan check can be issued. You may sign a Master Promissory Note online.

10. COMPLETE YOUR ENTRANCE INTERVIEW

If you are a first-time Stafford Loan borrower, you will need to complete an Entrance Interview. Students who borrow under the Federal Family Education Loan Program for the first time are required to complete entrance counseling before their loan proceeds can be released. You may complete the Entrance Interview online.

11. APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS OR OTHER ASSISTANCE

Outside agency scholarships are often advertised in our monthly “In the Money” scholarship newsletter which is available online. You may subscribe to receive the In the Money newsletter sent to your e-mail address each month at www.spcollege.edu/central/ssfa.

Apply for institutional and foundation scholarships through our on-line application process. You must complete an application and submit it before the required deadline for each academic year. Application deadlines are listed online at www.spjc.edu/central/ssfa/ScholarshipPage/s_index.htm

REMEMBER TO:

PLAN AHEAD • Purchasing your textbooks is your responsibility. If you apply after the priority deadline date for each semester, you financial assistance may not be available by the first day of classes to assist you with the Book Line of Credit at the campus bookstores.

FOLLOW UP • Periodically check the status of your financial assistance file. You may do this online at MYSPC.

LOOK FORWARD • Keep in mind that you will need to reapply for financial assistance each year that you are in school.