Financial Aid
How to apply for Financial Aid and FAFSA
Before You Apply For Financial Aid
Before you start, make sure you have:
- A high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) or High School Equivalency (HSE) credential
- A valid Social Security number
- Applied for admission. Your admissions application must specify that you plan to enroll in a program to earn your associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or eligible certificate program.
Don’t have a Social Security number? If your immigration or residency status does not qualify for federal financial aid, you may still qualify for the Comet Promise.
We recommend submitting your FAFSA soon after you apply to CCC. The earlier you complete it, the sooner you can learn what aid may be available to help pay for college.
Steps to Apply for Financial Aid
1. Create Your StudentAid.gov Account (FSA ID)
Before you complete the FAFSA, create a StudentAid.gov account. This account is also known as an FSA ID. Your account confirms your identity and serves as your electronic signature for federal student aid forms.
Each person who needs to provide information on your FAFSA must have their own StudentAid.gov account. These people are called contributors and may include a parent, stepparent, or spouse.
You can begin using your account to complete the FAFSA as soon as you create it. In some cases, identity verification may take one to three days, so creating your account early can help prevent delays.
2. Gather Your Information and Documents
Having your information ready can make the FAFSA easier to complete.
You and any required contributors should have your federal income tax returns available. You may also need information about assets, child support received, and other financial information.
The FAFSA asks you and your contributors to give consent for federal tax information to be transferred directly from the IRS. This means you usually do not need to enter most tax information yourself.
If you are a dependent student, at least one parent will usually need to provide information on your FAFSA. A contributor may be your biological or adoptive parent or your parent’s spouse. Each required contributor needs their own StudentAid.gov account.
You need your contributor’s:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number, if they have one
- Email address
3. Fill Out & Submit Your FAFSA
Once you have your information ready, complete and submit the FAFSA.
At CCC, all eligible students must complete the FAFSA to receive any financial aid. This includes aid that is not directly funded by the federal government, such as outside scholarships.
Attending Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027?
Complete the 2026–27 FAFSA using 2024 tax information. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027. Apply early to have access to as much aid as possible.
Attending Fall 2027, Spring 2028, or Summer 2028?
Complete the 2027–28 FAFSA using 2025 tax information. The 2027–28 FAFSA will be available by October 1, 2026. The federal deadline is June 30, 2028. Apply early to have access to as much aid as possible.
Need help with your FAFSA? Contact Financial Aid for one-on-one help.
4. Complete Your To-dos and Monitor Your Status
After you submit the FAFSA, keep checking your financial aid status.
Log in to myCCC and select Financial Aid to check your processing status. Also check your CCC student email. The Financial Aid Office will send messages there.
Complete any admissions or financial aid requests listed on your account. Missing items may prevent you from registering for classes or receiving financial aid.
Required Verification
You may be asked to provide more information or documents to verify the information on your FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, complete the requested items as soon as possible.
5. Review and Accept Your Financial Aid Offer
Once your financial aid application file is complete, you’ll receive a financial aid package that outlines what you qualify for.
Log in to myCCC and select “Financial Aid” to review your offer.
If you need help getting into your MyCCC account, contact our ITS Help Desk by calling (928) 226-4357 or sending an email to ITS.Helpdesk@coconino.edu.
To accept your financial aid offer:
- Choose the aid year.
- Review your awards carefully and make sure you understand the requirements for accepting and keeping them. Accept, reduce, or decline the loans offered to you. You do not have to take a loan if you do not want or need one.
- If you accept a federal student loan, complete Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note. Entrance Counseling teaches you about your student loans and responsibile borrowing. The Master Promissory Note is the legal agreement between you and the government with the terms of your loan. You must complete both before your loan funds can be paid to your account.
When Financial Aid Doesn’t Cover All Costs
If your financial aid does not cover the full cost of your classes, you must make arrangements with the Student Accounts Office to pay the remaining balance. A payment plan may be available.
6. Apply for Additional Aid
CCC encourages all students to look for additional aid to help pay for college.
Scholarships can help cover costs that federal financial aid does not pay. Look for scholarships from CCC and outside organizations, including community groups, foundations, businesses, and employers.
Requirements and deadlines are different for each scholarship. Review each opportunity carefully and apply early.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I apply for financial aid?
Apply as early as possible. Financial aid processing can take time, and some types of aid have limited funding. We recommend completing your FAFSA several months before the semester you plan to attend.
- Do I need to complete the FAFSA every year?
Yes. Complete a new FAFSA for each academic year you want financial aid.
Filing every year helps CCC determine your eligibility for grants, work-study, loans, and other types of aid.
- Do I need to be admitted to CCC before applying for financial aid?
Yes. To be considered for financial aid at CCC, complete the CCC admission application and declare an eligible program of study.
You must also complete the FAFSA and include CCC’s school code: 031004.
- Can I receive financial aid and scholarships at the same time?
Yes. Many students use a combination of financial aid and scholarships to help pay for college.
- What if I need help completing the FAFSA?
CCC can help students and families complete or correct the FAFSA.
You can schedule an in-person or Zoom appointment with the Financial Aid Office for help.
