Applying For Financial Aid
Ready to get started on financial aid? Start the process each year by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Most GCC students qualify for some type of financial aid, so it’s always a good idea to complete a FAFSA application.
FAFSA:
Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to be considered for federal and state aid: grants, work study and student loans. The 24/25 FAFSA will be available in December 2023 – GCC’s priority filing deadline is April 1.
FSA ID:
Students and a parent, if applicable, must have a Federal Student Aid ID (login) to sign the electronic FAFSA.
GCC’s School Code:002264
Include GCC’s school code on the FAFSA - (002264)
Student Dependency Status:
Students are considered dependent or independent based on information provided on the FAFSA. Dependent students must report parental income information on the FAFSA. Dependency Status is not based on whether a student lives with a parent, is financially self-supportive, or claimed as dependent on a parents’ taxes.
FAFSA Submission Summary:
After receiving a FAFSA, the Federal Processor will send a FAFSA Submission Summary, formerly known as the Student Aid Report (SAR) electronically. The FAFSA Submission Summary lists all information submitted on the FAFSA. It also estimates your eligibility for Federal Pell Grant and student loans and includes your Student Aid Index (SAI). Your SAI is determined by the financial aid information you provide on the FAFSA. The SAI replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). GCC will use your SAI to calculate how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Once FAFSA information has been received by the GCC Financial Aid Office, communication regarding additional financial aid paperwork will be communicated to you via your GCC email address.
