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    How to Pay for College > Financial Aid 101 > Eligibility and Awarding Criteria

Eligibility and Awarding Criteria

In order to be eligible for financial aid, all students must meet basic eligibility requirements. Be aware that these are basic requirements and some financial aid programs have additional criteria.

Basic Eligibility for Financial Aid

  • Have a valid Social Security number.

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

  • Is a regular student (seeking a degree or certificate).

  • Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible SFCC program.

  • Has a high school diploma or its equivalent.

  • Is not currently enrolled in high school.

  • Does not have a Ford Direct Loan or Stafford Loan in default.

  • Has not borrowed in excess of loan limits.

  • Is maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

Program-Specific Eligibility

Some aid programs and grants are meant for certain groups of people like low-income, previous foster youth, veterans and and more. For these programs, additional eligibilty requirements might include:

Financial Need

If your personal financial situation makes it difficult or impossible to pay for college, there are many types of financial aid like grants and waivers to supplement or even cover all your tuition.

Enrollment Requirements

Most financial aid programs will require you to be enrolled in a minimum amount of credtis per quarter. See the sources of aid page and navigate to the specific aid programs for eligibility requirements.

Residency Requirements

Grants and scholarships are often set up for specific groups. For example, many Washington State funded grants are meant only for state residents. Federal aid has its own residency requirements and many of the other grants and scholarships have specific eligibilty requirements. Visit the sources of aid page to find specific programs and their eligibility.

Funding Limits

Many programs have a maximum amount you can receive or borrow. Visit the sources of aid page to find specific programs and their eligibility.

How is a Financial Aid Award Determined?

Financial Need

Most grants and loans are awarded based on financial need. SFCC uses the following formula to determine your eligibility for financial aid.

Cost of Attendance – Student Aid Index = Financial Aid Need

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimated amount that it will cost you to attend school for a period of one year. To get an estimate your Cost of Attendance, use the net price calculator tool.

  • Student Aid Index (SAI) is from your processed FAFSA application and is a measure of your family’s financial strength. It’s calculated according to a formula established by law using your family’s taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security). To calculate your SAI, use the College Board's SAI Calculator. The FAFSA® calculates a number for every student based on the information submitted on the form. That number is supposed to represent the family’s financial strength and ability to pay for college. Schools use it to determine each student’s eligibility for financial aid. That number was previously called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is now referred to as the Student Aid Index (SAI). This number is not a dollar amount of aid eligibility or what your family is expected to provide. A negative SAI indicates the student has a higher financial need. Learn how the SAI is calculated.

Enrollment Requirements

Most financial aid programs will require you to be enrolled in a minimum amount of credits per quarter. Federal Loans for example, require a minimum of six (6+) credits. See the sources of aid webpage and navigate to the specific aid programs for eligibility requirements.