How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for need-based federal grants, student loans and work-study, all students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Moraine Valley’s federal school code is 007692. To sign your FAFSA online, you and a parent (if you are a dependent student) must have a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID number and FSA password. If you don't have a FSA ID number, apply for one now at fsaid.ed.gov. Tax filers are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA.
How do I apply for the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP)?
The MAP program is a limited award on a first-come, first-served basis to those who submit their FAFSA early. To increase your chances of being a recipient, file the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available on Oct. 1 each year. Visit the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for complete information on the MAP grant.
How do you determine my eligibility for need-based aid?
The process used to determine need for federal funds is the same at every public and private college in the United States. Using the information from your FAFSA, a formula known as Federal Methodology is applied to determine your "Expected Family Contribution" (EFC), which is the estimated dollar amount your family is expected to contribute toward college costs. Your FAFSA data and the calculated EFC are forwarded to the financial aid office at the colleges you indicated on the FAFSA. Your EFC is subtracted from the cost of attendance (COA) of the schools you have applied to or are currently enrolled in to determine your financial need.
What is the difference between need-based and merit-based aid?
Need-based aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need on the part of the family; merit-based awards are made on the basis of relevant credentials, talents or achievements of the student and are not influenced by the demonstrated financial need of the family.
Does the college offer scholarships?
The Moraine Valley Community College Foundation offers a variety of scholarships. Eligibility factors for these scholarships vary and are determined by the donors. The main application period is Feb. 1 through the last day of spring classes, which is usually mid-May. These scholarships are awarded for the following fall and spring semesters and award about 250 students. In addition, about 50 scholarships are offered to students before the start of the fall and spring semesters. Students may apply online at thelinktrack.com/cost-and-aid/scholarships/ One application applies the student to all scholarships offered by the Foundation from Feb. 1 to Jan. 31. Questions about scholarships should be directed to Patti Mehallick or call 708-974-5551.
When is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
Students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible to be considered for most grants. All requested documents should be submitted no later than 30 days after the end of the term (the summer deadline is Aug. 1). To be eligible for book assistance, all documents must be submitted by July 1 for fall, Dec. 1 for spring, and May 1 for summer.
What is Moraine Valley’s federal school code for the FAFSA?
Our federal school code is 007692.
Should I wait until I am accepted to Moraine Valley before applying for financial aid?
No. File the FAFSA by our priority deadline March 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. You must complete an admission application and include your social security number for the Moraine Valley Financial Aid office to receive your FASFA.
Our tax returns aren't ready. Should I wait to fill out the FAFSA?
No. The best thing to do is complete the FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline, even if you have to estimate your income tax information. You can correct your processed FAFSA once your federal tax returns are available.
Do I have to fill out the FAFSA if I only want a Direct Loan?
Yes. A Federal Direct Loan is a form of financial aid so the federal government requires you to complete the FAFSA.
What is the difference between Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans?
The government pays the interest on subsidized loans while the student is enrolled at least half-time and during periods of deferment. The student is responsible for all interest that accumulates on unsubsidized loans. Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information about federal loans.
What happens after I apply for financial aid?
A preliminary EFC (Expected Family Contribution) and SAR (Student Aid Report) will be generated after the FAFSA is filed. If you provided a valid email address and your application was processed successfully, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your electronic SAR. If you have made a mistake after submitting the FAFSA, you will have to wait until after your application has been processed to make corrections. Corrections can be made through Corrections on the Web. It can take up to 14 days for your school to receive your information.
When will I receive my financial aid award?
Assuming the deadlines are met, applicants will receive their award letters by the end of May. Log in to the portal to view this information.
When will my financial aid be disbursed to my account?
Financial aid disbursements begin four weeks after the start of the term.
My family's financial situation has changed dramatically since we filled out the FAFSA. Can the Financial Aid Office review my eligibility?
These situations usually involve changes in employment status, divorce, or the death of the primary provider. Contact the Financial Aid Office if your family has special circumstances that impact their ability to pay educational expenses. Please note: These situations are viewed on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed approval. The Reduction of Income Appeal will be used to review your case, please make sure you turn in all the required documents to ensure timely processing. Please note, any appeal missing documentation will not be reviewed.
Can I apply for financial aid as an independent student?
An independent student is eligible for federal aid if he or she meets the requirements listed on the Federal Student Aid website.
I do not meet the federal definition of an independent student, but I have not lived with my biological parents for many years. How do I fill out the FAFSA?
By federal law, the following conditions do not warrant a dependency override:
- Parents refuse to provide information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application or for verification
- Parents do not claim student as a dependent for income tax purposes
- Parents unwilling or unable to contribute to student’s education
- Student demonstrates self-sufficiency.
If you can provide documentation of exceptional circumstances to demonstrate why you should be considered independent, complete the Dependency Override Appeal. This appeal will be used to review your case. Please make sure you turn in all the required documents to ensure timely processing. Please note, any appeal missing documentation will not be reviewed.
I am an international student. What financial aid am I eligible to receive?
Federal and state financial aid is not available to international students. However, limited institutional scholarships, external scholarships and private/alternative student loans are available. Visit our International Student Affairs Office for assistance.
How many credits must I take to receive financial aid?
Students must be enrolled in eligible programs and applicable courses for the following awards:
- Pell Grant – 1 credit hour
- MAP Grant – 3 credit hours
- Loans, Federal Work-study, SEOG – 6 credit hours
- External/internal Scholarships – Based on donor requirements.
What is the difference between a drop and withdraw?
A drop occurs during the refund period and does not appear on your transcript. If you drop a course, your enrollment will be reduced and the amount you are eligible for will change. A withdrawal occurs after the refund period and will appear on your transcript as a “W” grade.
If you withdraw from a course, your enrollment is locked and will not change, unless:
- You completely withdraw officially/unofficially from the college
- You never begin attendance in the course.
What is the difference between officially and unofficially withdrawing?
Officially Withdrawing
When students stop attending or academically participating in a course, they must report this information to the Registration office immediately by officially removing themselves from the course. This can occur during the drop or withdrawal periods during the term.
For example: Abby is enrolled and begins attending COM 101 that meets from Aug. 24, 2021 to Dec. 18, 2021. On Sept. 30, 2021, Abby is in a car accident and is advised by her doctors not to return to school. Abby logs into MVConnect and “officially” withdraws from the course. Since this occurred after the refund period, a “W” grade will appear on her transcript.
Unofficially Withdrawing
When students stop attending or academically participating in a course and fail to remove themselves from the roster, the student “unofficially withdrew” from the course. This can occur during the drop or withdrawal periods during the term.
For example: Abby is enrolled and begins attending COM 101 that meets from Aug. 24, 2021 to Dec. 18, 2021. On Sept. 30, 2021, Abby is in a car accident and is advised by her doctors not to return to school. However, Abby forgets to withdraw from her COM 101 course and is still listed as enrolled. Abby’s last class attended was Sept. 26, 2021. Her professor last received a homework assignment dated Sept. 27, 2021. Since Abby didn’t notify her school she would not be returning, the school determines that Abby “unofficially withdrew” on Sept. 27, 2021 (the last log of academic activity).
Is there an easy way I can estimate the monthly repayment for a student loan or a parent loan?
Yes. For both student and parent loans, you can estimate the monthly payment amount and total interest at www.studentaid.gov. Click HERE to access the Loan Simulator.
Do I have to re-apply for financial aid every year?
Yes. To re-apply for need-based federal and state grants, student loans and work-study, all students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year. Our federal school code is 007692. Students will be notified if additional forms are needed.
If I receive an offer of financial assistance in my first year, am I guaranteed assistance in all four years?
Students may expect the same level of assistance provided they continue to meet financial eligibility and re-apply each year. The amount of assistance can change significantly when fewer children attend college or the family income increases dramatically. Students also must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Awards are for the academic year only.
I have applied for several outside scholarships. Will my award change if I receive scholarships from outside organizations?
Moraine Valley encourages students to apply for outside scholarships to supplement aid offered by the college. Students are responsible for completing the “Outside Resource Notification” form to notify the Financial Aid Office if they are awarded scholarships, grants or employer-based tuition assistance by outside organizations. A copy of the scholarship notification should be forwarded to the office as soon as possible. Unless the outside organization indicates otherwise, the scholarship will be credited 50 percent toward fall semester and 50 percent toward spring semester. Once you report your other resources, your award will be repackaged. If you continue to show unmet need, an adjustment to aid may not be necessary. Students receiving need-based assistance cannot have a total aid package that exceeds their demonstrated need.
What if the PLUS loan is denied?
You may be eligible for additional unsubsidized funds. Contact the loan coordinator about PLUS loan denial options.
What is verification? Why was I selected? Why do I have to send you extra paperwork?
Some students are selected for a review process called verification. The U.S. Department of Education uses certain criteria to select students for verification. Schools are required to collect specific information and/or documents from the student. The school then must review the documents to verify the accuracy of your FAFSA. This process must be completed before aid can be confirmed and released.
Why can't you talk to me about my child’s financial aid?
Moraine Valley is required by law to enforce FERPA, which states we can only disclose information to the student unless written consent has been provided by the student to share information with someone else. The “Authorization to Release Information (FERPA)” form is in the Records and Registration office.
Does Moraine Valley offer a monthly payment plan to help pay tuition/fees?
Full payment or partial payment must be made at the time of registration. Partial payment plans require a down payment of 25 percent plus the $25 nonrefundable partial payment fee.
Students who are dropped for nonpayment must re-register for classes. Re-registration will be permitted based on course availability. Payments must be made at the time of re-registration. All students are charged a $25 nonrefundable one-time, re-registration fee.
Students who register for summer classes must make a payment (33 percent) the same day as registration.
Students who fail to make full or partial payment will be dropped from their courses at the close of each business day.
Courses are dropped nightly if you do not have the minimum tuition payment (fall and spring—25 percent of tuition; summer—33 percent) except for two circumstances:
1. If you have a complete financial aid file and show eligibility with the Financial Aid Office.
2. Your tuition is covered by a sponsorship and your completed paperwork has been submitted to the Cashier’s Office prior to registration.
Note: The college does not mail tuition bills. For more information regarding payment options, contact the Cashier’s Office at (708) 974-5715, Building S, Room S105.
Can I receive financial aid for noncredit classes?
The Illinois Veterans Grant and Illinois National Guard Grant are available for noncredit classes. However, most other federal and/or state aid covers only credit classes applied toward a degree or certificate program.
Can I receive financial aid if I already have a bachelor’s degree?
The federal and state grants are available for undergraduate students only. Once you have a bachelor’s degree or a first professional degree, you are generally not eligible for Pell or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). Scholarships and student loans may be available to eligible students.
What should I do if I am not able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?
You can obtain a tax return transcript (summary of tax information) online from an Internal Revenue Service Office or by calling (800) 829-1040.
Is there financial aid for summer school?
Students who do not exhaust their yearly allocation may have Pell Grant eligibility left for summer.
Student loans are available if the student enrolled in at least six credit hours, is seeking a financial aid eligible program, has loan availability remaining for the year, and is within loan limits. Students can check their loan eligibility to ensure funds remain.
Note: Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements during all terms of enrollment.
Which programs and classes are ineligible for financial aid?
To be eligible for federal and state financial aid, a student must be enrolled in a program that is at least 15 weeks in length, offers 16 credit hours and no more than 25% of its course work is held at facilities not approved by the Department of Education. An example of an ineligible program is the Phlebotomy certificate because it is only nine credit hours in length. Contact Records for a list of financial aid eligible programs.
Note: All courses must be applicable to your program of study. Typically, AA and AS degrees allow electives to be a part of the program. However, certificate and AAS programs are more strict and don’t allow for electives. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their courses are financial aid eligible.
What is the next step after completing my FAFSA?
After completing your FAFSA, you must fill out an admission application if you have not already done so. You also need to activate your Moraine Valley email account and check it regularly. Once the Financial Aid Office receives your FAFSA, we will email you a notification to upload any missing documentation from the Financial Aid Self-Service Portal. Once this process is complete, you can view your award letter on the student portal.
*Tuition payment plans are not available to international students on F-1 visas.
