[Financial Aid]> [Frequently Asked Questions]
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Below you will find a list of Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ's concerning the Financial Aid Department:
  1. I have completed the FAFSA application online but how much aid could I expect to receive if I applied for a Pell Grant?

    • If you have the Family Contribution figure that came from filling out the FAFSA form then you can use our Pell Grant calculator to estimate the amount of award you could expect to receive.
  2. I had a FAFSA PIN number, but I lost or have forgotten it. Does ECTC have a copy of it, or know what it is?

    • NO. ECTC does not have access to your US Department of Education pin number. If you have lost or forgotten your pin number you must go to www.pin.ed.gov and request a duplicate pin number.
  3. I am dependent per the FAFSA instructions and my parents won't provide financial information on the FAFSA. What should I do?

    • You might want to inform them that these are federal regulations and parent information is used only to determine your aid eligibility. They would not be responsible for any loans you incur as the loans would be in your name. However, if you have a dysfunctional relationship with your parents that can be supported by third-party documentation such as a counselor, teacher, or clergy, an exception to the federal regulation may be made. If so, please contact us about a special circumstance - dependency override appeal.
  4. I am getting married in the near future. Can I say I'm married on the FAFSA?

    • NO . You must report your marital status as of the time you fill out the application and it may not be changed. It is sometimes an advantage for a student to wait until being married to file the FAFSA since the student would be independent, but each case is different.
  5. My ex-spouse has custody of our children, but I pay child support. Can I include my children on the application?

    • YES . You may include the children as part of your household on the FAFSA only if you provide more than 50 percent of the child’s support. You may be required to provide documented proof of this. In most cases, if the children do not live with the student, they are not able to include the children on the FAFSA.
  6. I am separated or divorced from my spouse now. How do I file for financial aid?

    • You do not include your spouse's income or other information on the FAFSA. If you and your spouse filed a joint federal tax return and you need help in completing the FAFSA, bring in your federal tax return to the Student Financial Aid Office along with your W-2s, and we can help you fill out or correct your FAFSA.
  7. Must I include my step-parent’s information on the FAFSA?

    • YES. If the person who is considered the parent on the FAFSA is remarried at the time of the FAFSA filing, answer the FAFSA questions about this parent and the person whom your parent married (your step-parent).
  8. What are the general requirements to receive financial aid?

    • Federal financial aid recipients must meet all general eligibility requirements: > must be a degree seeking student in an eligible program > cannot also be enrolled in elementary or secondary school > must have a high school diploma or equivalent, pass an approved ability-to benefit test, or have been home-schooled > must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements > must meet enrollment status requirements > must have resolved database match issues or problems identified on the Student Aid Report
  9. Do I need to apply for admission before I apply for Financial Aid?

    • NO . However you will need to be admitted before we are able to finalize your award.
  10. I was selected by the processing center to have my FAFSA information verified. What does "verification" mean?

    • If selected for verification, we are required to obtain certain documentation before we can complete your award. We will be requesting a signed copy of your, and your parent(s) if dependent, federal tax return (1040, etc.). In addition to a signed copy of Federal Tax returns, you must also complete a Federal Verification Worksheet.
  11. How do I sign my FAFSA?

    • If you use FAFSA on the web, which is strongly recommended, you may use your assigned PIN number as your signature (and your parent, if dependent) or print out a signature page just prior to submitting your electronic application. If you do not already have a PIN number, one can be requested at www.pin.ed.gov . If you use a paper FAFSA you (and your parent, if dependent) must sign the application.
  12. What am I applying for?

    • By submitting your FAFSA to the processing center you will be considered for federal and state financial aid. The types of aid programs include: Grants - funds that are not paid back, Work Study - employment, usually on-campus, where you a paycheck bi-monthly, and Loans - low interest loans usually repaid after leaving college. Some scholarships are also based on the FAFSA results but usually require their own application and process.
  13. Do I have to apply for Financial Aid each year?

    • YES . KCTCS award year is Fall, Spring and Summer, in that order. All students must apply for financial aid for each award year.
  14. Does it cost money to submit a FAFSA?

    • NO . The FAFSA application stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. There is no charge to apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or to mail your FAFSA information. Be careful and double check the web address that you entered. There are many websites with similar web address that confuse students and ask for a payment to file their FAFSA information. A payment is not required to apply for Federal Aid.
  15. When should I apply for Financial Aid?

    • You may not apply prior to January 1 of the upcoming award year. We suggest you complete your federal tax returns (1040, etc.) as early as possible and then immediately complete the FAFSA. Some financial aid programs are limited in funding, thus are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis The Priority Deadline is March 15, 2007 .
  16. How do I apply for Financial Aid?

    • There are two ways to apply for financial aid: 1) File it electronically (recommended) over the Internet (called FAFSA on the Web) at www.fafsa.ed.gov ; this can take two to four weeks to process. Be sure to read all the instructions; or 2) Fill out a paper FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and mail it in; this can take four to six weeks to process. The college code for ECTC is001991.
  17. What school code should I use for my FAFSA?

    • Elizabethtown Community and Technical College school code is 001991.
  18. I don't live with my parents or my parents don't claim me on their tax returns. Do I still need to use their information on the FAFSA?

    • YES . It does not matter if you live with them or not. If you do not meet the federal definition of an Independent Student, you are required to supply parent information on the FAFSA. Read the FAFSA instructions about dependency and who is considered a parent carefully.
  19. Do I have to attend class to get my Financial Aid disbursements?

    • Yes ! Yes! Yes! The faculty submits attendance information to us before we disburse the aid. If you are not attending, we may need to reduce your aid amount or hold it until you are in good status in the class.
  20. Is there someone I can contact if I still have questions or need additional assistance?

    • YES . Contact the Student Financial Aid Office at (270) 706-8802.
  21. Do I have to reapply for Financial Aid if I transfer to another school during the award year?

    • NO . You do not have to re-apply, but dollar amounts do not transfer from school to school. Check with the school you are transferring to about their process. If you are transferring to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College get your Student Aid Report (SAR) and call 1-800-433-3243. They will ask you a few questions and then send your FAFSA results to us. Our college code is 001991.
  22. Can I use my KEES money at ECTC ?

    • YES . The KEES money that you earned in high school based on your GPA and/or ACT test score can be used at ECTC.
  23. How much Federal Stafford money may I borrow?

    • If eligible, a student in the first year of their study may borrow $3,500 and then $4,500 when you become a sophomore. Independent students may also borrow up to an additional $4,000. You must attend at least half-time to be eligible for a student loan.
  24. What is the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans?

    • The subsidized loan is the type of loan where you make no payments while you are enrolled at least half-time in college. The interest and principal are deferred. The unsubsidized loan works the same way except you are responsible for paying the interest while enrolled in classes.
  25. What is Entrance Loan Counseling?

    • Entrance Loan Counseling is a federal requirement to assure that students understand the basics of taking out a Loan. If you are borrowing a Loan for the first time, you must complete this exercise before we can disburse your loan. Go to www.kheaa.com and click on the Online Student Loan Entrance Interview Counseling (Green Oval )
  26. I can't find my tax returns. What can I do?

    • If you had someone prepare your tax return, for example H&R Block you should be able to get a copy from them. If you prepared return, you can call the I.R.S. and request a copy of your tax account information. Call (800) 829-1040 .
  27. How do I accept my student loan in PeopleSoft.

    • There is also a component in People Soft to allow you to accept or decline student loans. You will find this under Learner Services> Finances>Accept/Decline.
  28. Why do I have to answer question 35 about drug convictions?

    • Under federal law, some students who have drug-related convictions may be ineligible for federal student aid. For help on answering question 35 on the FAFSA, please call 1-800-433-3243 or follow the link below for additional guidance.
  29. If I drop a class, will that affect my financial aid?

    • It often does. Financial aid disbursements are reviewed at FA Census dates and after Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation. For more information, see the Consumer Information guide, "Standards of Academic Progress" section available on the web or get a copy from the Financial Aid Office. These standards tell you what is expected academically to continue on financial aid. If you are appealing your satisfactory academic progress, while in appeal status, you must be prepared to pay your tuition and books.
  30. I'm currently in default on my student loans, or owe an overpayment of Financial Aid. Can I get Financial Aid?

    • NO. If you are in default on a federal student loan, or owe an overpayment of financial aid, you are not eligible for any federal or state financial aid. If you have a defaulted loan(s), you should contact your lender(s) to regain eligibility for aid. If you have an overpayment, you will need to contact the school were the overpayment occurred, or the U.S. Department of Education. You must present the Financial Aid office with official notification that you are no longer in default or that your overpayment has been paid, before you can regain your eligibility to receive aid.
  31. Can I charge books from the bookstore to my tuition and fees bill?

    • YES . Only if you have if you are registered for the current term and your financial aid file has been completed.
  32. What do I do about my Financial Aid and my tuition and fees bill?

    • If your Financial Aid file is complete and the aid you have been awarded is sufficient to cover your tuition, no action on your part is required. However if your Financial Aid file is not complete, you are responsible for paying your bill by the due date listed on the bill. You must also pay any balance that is not covered by your financial aid.
  33. How does my Financial Aid get credited to my tuition and fees bill?

    • Funds are divided by two terms for the academic year and disbursed approximately 30 days into each term. After your bill is paid in full, any excess funds each term will be refunded to via a check mailed directly to you.
  34. How will I find out about what Financial Aid I qualify for?

    • After we receive your FAFSA results from the processing center, collect all required documents, and correct any discrepancies your will be awarded. You may review the amounts and types of aid on your PeopleSoft account.
  35. Do I have to be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours) to receive financial aid.

    • No, you are not required to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid. Your financial aid is adjusted according to the number of hours you are enrolled:
      > 12 or more credit hours = full time enrollment *** minimum required to receive ACG
      > 9-11 credit hours = 3/4 time enrollment (take 75% of the full time award)
      > 6-8 credit hours = 1/2 time enrollment (take 50% of the full time award) ***minimum required to receive Loans, CAP grants, KEES and Federal College Work Study***
      > 1-5 credit hours = less than 1/2 time (for Pell, take 25% of the full time award)
      ***eligible for Pell and SEOG grants only***
      *Please note that if your EFC is greater than 2700 go to the Pell Calculator to determine your eligibility.
If you have other questions regarding financial aid, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to serving you!
  • Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
    Financial Aid Department
    Phone: (270) 706-8802
    Toll Free (877) 246-2322, Extension 68802


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