Financial Aid at CCSU  -- How to Apply

For Fall 2008  -  Spring 2009  -   *Summer 2009  

What is Financial Aid? 

Financial aid is to assist students in paying for their college education.  Financial aid funds come from the federal and state governments, Central Connecticut State University, and other agencies or organizations.  Financial aid consists of these types of assistance:  . 

Grants – funds made available by the federal and state governments, and the institution. 

Scholarships – funds awarded to students based on merit either by the institution or outside private donors. 

Loans –  funds made available to borrowers, either student or parent, by the federal government and private lenders. 

Work Study – funds awarded to students for on-campus employment.

How to apply for Financial Aid! 

All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov to determine a family’s ability to pay for educational costs. 

In order to complete the filing of the FAFSA, both the student and parent need to go online at www.pin.ed.gov and request a Personal Identification Number (PIN).  The PIN enables the student and parent  to sign the FAFSA electronically. 

CCSU’s federal code number – 001378 must be included in Step 6 – question 97a on the FAFSA.

Completing the FAFSA 

The FAFSA requests demographic and financial information about the student and parent (and spouse when applicable). 

If you are supposed to file a federal income tax return, it is recommended that you complete it before filing the FAFSA.  You may use estimated  tax information to file your FAFSA. 

Answer all questions – If you or your family have unusual circumstances such as loss of employment, complete the FAFSA, then submit it as instructed and consult with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.

How is Financial Need Determined? 

Before financial aid is awarded, there are two important pieces of information which must be determined.  They are: 

Cost of Attendance Budget (COA) – The financial aid office must create a cost of attendance budget for each student based on residency, class standing, and housing status.  The COA budget is an estimate of the educational and miscellaneous expenses a student may incur during the academic year. 

Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) – This figure is provided upon completion of the FAFSA, and is an important number in determining a student’s financial aid eligibility.  This figure is used to determine what the ability of the family is to pay towards the educational expenses. 

COA minus EFC equals financial need. 

The financial need figure is used to determine the amount of financial aid that is awarded to each student. 

Types of financial aid awarded may be different for each student but take into account financial need. 

All students regardless of financial need are eligible for the Federal Stafford Loan.

Important Dates to Remember 

You may file your  FAFSA beginning January 1 for the academic year beginning with the next Fall Semester. You don’t have to wait until you are accepted by a school to file the FAFSA. 

October 1 is the last date to file the FAFSA for the Fall Semester;

February 15 for the Spring Semester, and June 30 for the Summer Session and Academic Year.  However, please note the following  priority processing deadlines: 

March 1 – for incoming freshmen and transfer students to have completed filing their FAFSA.

April 15 – for continuing CCSU students to have completed filing their FAFSA. 

If the student does not meet the appropriate posted priority processing deadline, certain financial aid funds may not be available to award to the student.

Let’s Review 

-Must complete a FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

-Must obtain student and parent PIN at www.pin.ed.gov

-Must include CCSU Federal ID code number – 001378.

-Must meet Priority Processing Deadline to be considered for  all eligible aid available

-March 1 - freshmen and transfer students

-April 15 - continuing CCSU students.

-Able to file FAFSA beginning as early as Jan.1 for the academic year beginning with the coming Fall Semester.

Financial Aid Office Directory

Campus Location:

Memorial Hall, 103

Address: 

1615 Stanley Street

P.O. Box 4010

New Britain, CT 06050

Telephone:

(860) 832-2200

Fax: 

(860) 832-1105

Website: 

www.ccsu.edu/finaid

Email:  

finaid@ccsu.edu