How to Apply for SVCC Financial Aid

Student | Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The first step in applying for all types of Financial Aid requires the student to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Student Completes the FAFSA, on the web at fafsa.gov. Students wishing to complete the paper version of the FAFSA may request a copy by calling 1-800-394-7084 or online at studentaid.gov. This should be done no later than December 1st each year if you are a SVCC Student. This helps to ensure that the student meet all federal, state and institutional deadlines. To be eligible for Financial Aid, a student must meet the following requirements:

a citizen of the United States or permanent resident,
enrolled in a program at SVCC that leads to a degree or certificate, and
maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their academic program.

This is not a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements. Please check with our office to confirm that you meet eligibility criteria.

Generally it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks for the federal government to process your FAFSA, depending on the method in which it is submitted. During this processing time, the SVCC Office of Student Financial Assistance will not have any information on whether or not you are eligible for aid. SVCC students need to complete the FAFSA early enough to allow for this processing time if they are planning on using financial aid to pay for their education.

SVCC | Processes Student Aid Report

School receives an electronic version of your FAFSA application after submission, if SVCC's Federal School Code (001752) was indicated on the FAFSA.

SVCC | Requests Verification Documents

The SVCC Office of Financial Assistance will review the students application and mail/e-mail (to the student's SVCC student email address) a Document Request Letter, with documents to complete, sign and return to the office. Students who are chosen to be a verification either by the Department of Education, or the SVCC Office of Financial Assistance, will be required to provide additional documents which may include taxes, W2s or other items. Students chosen for verification should review the SVCC Verification Policies and Procedures. All items must be returned within 30 days from the date of the letter. This will ensure timely processing of the students financial aid.

Student | Returns Required Documents

Complete, sign and return Sauk's required documents to the Office of Financial Assistance within 30 days from the date of the letter. Failure to return documents within the deadline may result in delayed processing.

SVCC | Processes Documents and Sends Award Letter

Once the SVCC Office of Financial Assistance receives the completed and signed documents from the student, the application and documents are reviewed by office staff. Verification documents will be used by the Office of Financial Assistance to make corrections to a student's application if required. After the review process is complete, an Estimated Award Letter will be generated and mailed/e-mailed* to the student, explaining estimated full-time awards. In the event that a student's EFC changes the student's eligibility for Title IV aid at a later date, the student will be e-mailed a new Estimated Award Letter. At this time, if the student has any questions about his/her aid package, he/she is welcome to visit or call (815-835-6339) the Office of Financial Assistance.

SVCC | Applies Financial Aid Weekly

When a student registers for classes at SVCC for Fall/Spring, his/her financial aid will automatically be applied to his/her account on a weekly basis. When registering for Summer courses students must contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance in order for any eligibility to be applied. Any award applied to the student's account will also automatically deduct any charges incurred at SVCC, including tuition, course fees, book charges, etc.

Student | Contacts Business Office to Pay Balance

If, after all financial aid is processed, the student still has a balance (money owed) on his/her account, he/she must contact the SVCC Business Office (815-835-6267) to make payment arrangements, such as a Payment Plan.

Student | Can Use Financial Aid in Follett Bookstore

Approximately 7-10 days before classes begin for the term, students may charge against their remaining financial aid to purchase books and supplies in the Follett Bookstore. For the exact date when students may use their financial aid towards book purchases, please contact the Follett Bookstore at 815-835-6304.