What is Financial Aid? – Sources of Aid
At Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC), we use the term "financial aid" for all types of funding beyond what you can pay for yourself. Money can come from loans, grants, scholarships or paid employment programs like work study. Let’s first explore the different sources of aid in more detail.
Your Aid Package
The first step is to complete your FAFSA. After SFCC receives your FAFSA information, we mail you or email you information on the types of aid you're eligble to receive and apply for. We refer to that collection of aid as your financial aid package. Your aid package can consist of many different sources of aid. Let's explore the different types of aid.
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
While the FAFSA itself is not a source of aid, it's the first step in the process of determining your aid package. Your application provides SFCC with the details needed to automatically apply any grant money you receive and help you calculate your need for loans and other scholarships. Take a look at our FAFSA Guide for information on preparing and submitting the FAFSA.
Outside Funding
This refers to funding from an external organization such as:
It is the responsibility of your agency's representative to send us your paperwork in a timely manner. It is your responsibility to verify we have received it.
This funding may impact your financial aid. Keep us updated if there are any changes.
Unemployment
SFCC participates in the federal Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs. Resident and nonresident students may qualify for federal grants.
Pell Grant
A Pell Grant is a federally funded entitlement grant program that awards aid to students based on financial need. To apply for a Pell Grant, students need to submit the FAFSA every year they are in school. The grant will be awarded based on your financial need specific in the FAFSA application.
For more information on the Pell Grants, visit the Federal Pell Grant page.
Year Round Pell Grants
Pell Grants for Spring Quarter
In spring, Pell Grant eligible students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Pell award each year. What does this mean for you? If you were a Pell eligible student in summer, fall, and/or winter, you may qualify for a Pell Grant for spring!
Eligibility
To be eligible for a spring Pell Grant, you must:
Important facts to note:
- Eligible students may receive up to four Pell awards in one academic year.
- The maximum time-frame that students may receive Federal Pell Grant is the equivalent of eighteen full-time quarters. One full-time quarter of Pell equals 33%.
Check your Lifetime Eligibility
You can check for your remaining eligibility level online by logging on to NSLDS using your FSA ID. View your Lifetime Eligibility Units (LEU) on the Financial Aid Review page.
Dropping, Withdrawing or Failing Classes
It is possible that you could owe money back for all or part of your Federal Pell Grant if you do not complete classes that you registered for. The amount you may owe will be calculated based on the drop date, the number of credits and the last day that you attended classes.
Pell Grant, Washington College Grant, and College Bound Amount Depends on Enrollment Intensity.
Your spring Pell Grant amount will depend on the number of credits you are registered in, as well as your Pell Lifetime Eligibility Units (LEU). The Pell Grant amount will be adjusted just prior to the release (disbursement) of your aid based on your enrollment intensity. Enrollment Intensity is defined in the following manner:
| Credit Hours |
Enrollment Category (Old) |
Enrollment Intensity (New) |
| 12 (or more) |
Full Time |
100% of the award |
| 11 |
Three-Quarter-Time |
92% of the award |
| 10 |
Three-Quarter-Time |
83% of the award |
| 9 |
Three-Quarter-Time |
75% of the award |
| 8 |
Half-Time |
67% of the award |
| 7 |
Half-Time |
58% of the award |
| 6 |
Half-Time |
50% of the award |
| 5 |
Less-than-Half-Time |
42% of the award |
| 4 |
Less-than-Half-Time |
33% of the award |
| 3 |
Less-than-Half-Time |
25% of the award |
| 2 |
Less-than-Half-Time |
17% of the award |
| 1 |
Less-than-Half-Time |
8% of the award |
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
For students with greater financial needs, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant can be awarded in the amounts from $500 to $2,000 per academic year. This grant is awarded based on your financial needs stated in the FAFSA.
For more information on the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant visit the Federal Government's FSEOG page.
Washington College Grant
(Formerly the State Need Grant) Washington state residents are eligible for further assistance based on their financial need. Eligible students may receive an award up to the cost of tuition. Amounts vary based on income, family size, and the school or program attended. Federal overpayments and defaults do not impact state aid eligibility.
To learn more about WCG eligibility and awards go to the Washington Student Achievement Council website.
College Bound Scholarship
Awarded in combination with other state financial aid to cover the average cost of tuition and fees. The scholarship is available to students who sign up in the 7th or 8th grade and meet specific eligibility requirements. For College Bound Scholarship eligibility information, please visit the College Bound page on the consumer information site, readysetgrad.org.
Passport to Careers
The Passport to Careers program provides a funding resource for Washington state, federal, or tribal foster students or for students who have experienced unaccompanied homelessness in the last school year. For more information on the program or eligibility requirements, visit the readysetgrad.org site.
SFCC Institutional Grants & Waivers
A portion of SFCC tuition revenue is reserved for institutional grants and waivers.
SFCC 3% Tuition Grant
A supplemental grant based on need.
SFCC 3 1/2% Tuition Waiver
A supplemental waiver that reduces your amount of tuition costs.
For detailed loan federal information visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans
| *Before submitting a loan application, you must complete your FAFSA and have all other required paperwork turned into the Financial Aid Office. |
Student Loans
There are multiple types of direct loans for students. Take a look at the different loan options and how to get started with a student Federal Direct Loan.
Parent Loans
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loans) are made to both the students and parents of a dependent undergraduate student to help pay for expenses not covered by other financial aid. Learn more about the PLUS program and get the information you need to apply now.
Exit Counseling
If you have used a Federal Direct Loan to help finance your education at Spokane Falls Community College, the Federal financial aid regulations require us to provide you with exit counseling information about your loan. Take a look at the steps to complete your exit counseling.
How Much Should I Borrow?
To figure out the proper amount to borrow, you will need to calculate your financial need, understand the limits of what you can borrow and create a budget so you can predict what your monthly payment will be towards your loan. Take a look at our budgeting page to get started now.
Check Loan Status
You can check your loan status in your student account in ctcLink. Login to your student account by clicking the button below. If this is your first time accessing your account, you will need your ctcLink ID that is issued to you after your application is received. Make sure to save your ID number as you will use it for many things at SFCC.
-
The financial aid office at SFCC will process loans in a timely manner. SFCC will not refuse to certify or delay certification based on choice of lender
-
The financial aid office does not contract with any lender and does not receive any staffing assistance from lenders.
-
Students are advised to borrow loans through the federal student loan programs. Private loans will not be packaged or offered from any specific lender.
-
Employees in the financial aid office are prohibited from receiving gifts from lenders, guaranty agencies or loan servicers.
-
Spokane Falls Community College does not have revenue sharing arrangements with any lender. Advisory boards will not receive compensation from any lender. SFCC prohibits the offer of funds for private loans.
Scholarship Resources
Scholarships are funds you do not repay. The money comes from local high schools, employers, and other private donors. Students can apply for as many scholarships as they qualify for.
SFCC has many scholarship opportunities specifically designated for SFCC students.
Most application deadlines are in late winter or early spring for the upcoming fall quarter.
Other Scholarship Links
FastWeb.com
TheWashBoard.org
WA College Success Foundation
WA State Opportunity Scholarship.org
ScholarshipHelp.org
Specially Funded Programs
SFCC participates in a few special programs such as WorkFirst and Opportunity Grant meant to increase access to higher education for certain marginalized groups.
Are you a veteran? Are you looking for information or assistance with the GI Bill®? The SFCC Veterans Resource Center at SFCC can help.
Waivers are available to certain groups of qualified people, allowing them to be exempt for some or all tuition. Take a look at the different kinds of waivers offered, like waivers for senior citizens to audit courses, Washington State employees, direct relatives of deceased or 100 percent disabled law enforcement or fire officers, and others.
What is Work Study?
The Student Employment Office administers the SFCC on-campus and off-campus work programs through Work Study awards. Student employment is meant to be a productive experience for everyone involved: the student, the employer, and the institution as well as the community.
How do I get Work Study?
On your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), be sure to say yes on the option asking if you're interested in work study. Work study is awarded based on your FAFSA results, your financial aid budget, other awarded aid and the SFCC financial aid packaging policy. If you are awarded work study, you will receive an award notification from the Financial Aid Office and an informational email from the Student Employment Office. If you did not receive a work study award and would like to be placed on the waitlist, please read the information below.
Work Study Waitlist
If you were not awarded work study as part of your aid package and would like to be placed on the Work Study Please sign up for the Work Study Waitlist. If you need help or have any questions, contact the Student Employment office at sfcc.studentemployment@sfcc.spokane.edu
Work Study Funds
Your work study paychecks will come as a regular paycheck. These funds cannot be used to pay tuition or fees directly. They must first be deposited into an account, then you can use your funds to pay in your student ctcLink account or at the Cashier’s Office.