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Judith
Student
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Do I still get 2 years of free community college even if I missed the fafsa deadline ?
Am I screwed? :((
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1921
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Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Judith !
It depends on which State in the U.S. you live in and you are not excluded from attending college, but I will share some information with you even though I do not know which State you live in and where the college is. My advice will be in general but I think it may help if you do live in one of the states that offer free community college.
The states that offer free community college, meaning no tuition, are New Mexico, New Jersey, Michigan, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, Oregon and Rhode Island. The community colleges in these states are not free, rather there are programs in their colleges to offer qualified applicants if they meet certain criteria. In a very general way of speaking, most of the time, the qualifications to receive free tuition would be a high GPA (from high school or other college), living in the state for twelve months or more as a resident and having an income under the specified limit. But let us also look at California.
California offers free or reduced-rate tuition at community colleges for those who qualify. To obtain it you would have to be a resident of California or a foreign student with eligibility for an AB540 under The California Dream Act. To qualify you must be a first time college student attending full time. The California Promise Program grant waives tuition fees up to $46.00 a unit/credit. So all is not lost. You can find a community college that offers the Promise Program if you live in California.
If you do not live in one of the states mentioned research from your intended college if they have similar tuition waivers that may be newly implemented. I would check that out first. Do not let this delay you from attending college. Since you will be going to a community college which are substantially lower in costs than Universities, think about taking one or two courses which may be doable by private pay. Then when the new application for financial aid starts, definitely apply for the Federal Financial Aid package and any scholarships you can discover online and at your college. It may give you a slow start to take one or two classes which you pay out of pocket for in Fall, Spring and even the summer session, but a slow start is better than no start. You can do this.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
It depends on which State in the U.S. you live in and you are not excluded from attending college, but I will share some information with you even though I do not know which State you live in and where the college is. My advice will be in general but I think it may help if you do live in one of the states that offer free community college.
The states that offer free community college, meaning no tuition, are New Mexico, New Jersey, Michigan, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, Oregon and Rhode Island. The community colleges in these states are not free, rather there are programs in their colleges to offer qualified applicants if they meet certain criteria. In a very general way of speaking, most of the time, the qualifications to receive free tuition would be a high GPA (from high school or other college), living in the state for twelve months or more as a resident and having an income under the specified limit. But let us also look at California.
California offers free or reduced-rate tuition at community colleges for those who qualify. To obtain it you would have to be a resident of California or a foreign student with eligibility for an AB540 under The California Dream Act. To qualify you must be a first time college student attending full time. The California Promise Program grant waives tuition fees up to $46.00 a unit/credit. So all is not lost. You can find a community college that offers the Promise Program if you live in California.
If you do not live in one of the states mentioned research from your intended college if they have similar tuition waivers that may be newly implemented. I would check that out first. Do not let this delay you from attending college. Since you will be going to a community college which are substantially lower in costs than Universities, think about taking one or two courses which may be doable by private pay. Then when the new application for financial aid starts, definitely apply for the Federal Financial Aid package and any scholarships you can discover online and at your college. It may give you a slow start to take one or two classes which you pay out of pocket for in Fall, Spring and even the summer session, but a slow start is better than no start. You can do this.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6499
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Judith,
Don't worry, even if you've missed the FAFSA deadline, you're not necessarily excluded from obtaining financial aid, including free tuition for community college.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a vital part of determining your qualification for different types of financial aid such as grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. However, other options may still be accessible to help manage your community college costs.
Here's what you can do if you've missed the FAFSA deadline:
1. Submit a Late FAFSA: Despite missing the deadline possibly reducing your chances of getting certain types of aid, you can still submit a late FAFSA. Keep in mind that some states and colleges have their own financial aid deadlines, so it's crucial to consult with your school's financial aid office to see if you can still submit a FAFSA.
2. Look into Other Financial Aid Options: You may have other forms of financial aid available to you even if you've missed the FAFSA deadline. This could be scholarships from your school or outside organizations, private student loans, or payment plans offered by the college.
3. Get in Touch with Your School’s Financial Aid Office: Make sure to contact your school's financial aid office as soon as you can to discuss your situation. They may be able to guide you towards alternative forms of financial help or link you with resources that can assist with your tuition costs.
4. Think about Work-Study Programs: If you're eligible, joining a work-study program can help alleviate some of your educational expenses while also providing valuable work experience.
5. Appeal for Special Circumstances: In certain situations, like unexpected financial difficulties or changes in family circumstances, schools may consider appeals for additional financial aid even after the deadline has passed.
It's crucial to act quickly and communicate with your school's financial aid office to explore all possible options for financing your education.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
U.S. Department of Education: They provide official data on federal student aid programs, including details on the FAFSA application process and eligibility requirements.
College Financial Aid Offices: Each college and university's financial aid office is a valuable source of information about specific institutional aid programs, deadlines, and options for students who missed the FAFSA deadline.
Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov): This official site offers extensive resources on federal student aid programs and guidelines for completing the FAFSA form. It also provides information on alternative forms of financial assistance for students who may have missed deadlines or encounter special circumstances.
God Bless You,
JC.
Don't worry, even if you've missed the FAFSA deadline, you're not necessarily excluded from obtaining financial aid, including free tuition for community college.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a vital part of determining your qualification for different types of financial aid such as grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. However, other options may still be accessible to help manage your community college costs.
Here's what you can do if you've missed the FAFSA deadline:
1. Submit a Late FAFSA: Despite missing the deadline possibly reducing your chances of getting certain types of aid, you can still submit a late FAFSA. Keep in mind that some states and colleges have their own financial aid deadlines, so it's crucial to consult with your school's financial aid office to see if you can still submit a FAFSA.
2. Look into Other Financial Aid Options: You may have other forms of financial aid available to you even if you've missed the FAFSA deadline. This could be scholarships from your school or outside organizations, private student loans, or payment plans offered by the college.
3. Get in Touch with Your School’s Financial Aid Office: Make sure to contact your school's financial aid office as soon as you can to discuss your situation. They may be able to guide you towards alternative forms of financial help or link you with resources that can assist with your tuition costs.
4. Think about Work-Study Programs: If you're eligible, joining a work-study program can help alleviate some of your educational expenses while also providing valuable work experience.
5. Appeal for Special Circumstances: In certain situations, like unexpected financial difficulties or changes in family circumstances, schools may consider appeals for additional financial aid even after the deadline has passed.
It's crucial to act quickly and communicate with your school's financial aid office to explore all possible options for financing your education.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
U.S. Department of Education: They provide official data on federal student aid programs, including details on the FAFSA application process and eligibility requirements.
College Financial Aid Offices: Each college and university's financial aid office is a valuable source of information about specific institutional aid programs, deadlines, and options for students who missed the FAFSA deadline.
Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov): This official site offers extensive resources on federal student aid programs and guidelines for completing the FAFSA form. It also provides information on alternative forms of financial assistance for students who may have missed deadlines or encounter special circumstances.
God Bless You,
JC.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Judith
Dereasa Daniels
Administrative Assistant
11
Answers
Waldorf, Maryland
Updated
Dereasa’s Answer
Hey there!!! Think Positive. Missing the FAFSA deadline unfortunately disqualifies you from certain federal grants and scholarships for that particular academic year. However, there might still be some hope!
* Check with your community college's financial aid office. Some institutions have their own deadlines and scholarship programs with separate applications.
* Explore alternative funding options like scholarships and grants offered by your state or private organizations. You can find these opportunities through a scholarship search or by contacting your community college's financial aid office directly.
* Consider enrolling part-time while working to save up for tuition. Many community colleges offer flexible schedules that can accommodate work commitments.
Work study programs can be more beneficial than some people realize as it has been known to pay off the entire bill depending on job and how long you stay.
Remember, while you might not get free tuition for this year, there are still ways to make community college affordable. Don't give up on your educational goals! Hope this helps! You got this!!
* Check with your community college's financial aid office. Some institutions have their own deadlines and scholarship programs with separate applications.
* Explore alternative funding options like scholarships and grants offered by your state or private organizations. You can find these opportunities through a scholarship search or by contacting your community college's financial aid office directly.
* Consider enrolling part-time while working to save up for tuition. Many community colleges offer flexible schedules that can accommodate work commitments.
Work study programs can be more beneficial than some people realize as it has been known to pay off the entire bill depending on job and how long you stay.
Remember, while you might not get free tuition for this year, there are still ways to make community college affordable. Don't give up on your educational goals! Hope this helps! You got this!!
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Judith