What is Financial Assistance?
Financial assistance is money to help you and your family cover educational expenses. It is intended to supplement (not replace) the amount you and your family can afford. Keep in mind that it is ultimately the responsibility of you and your family to finance your education. Financial assistance comes from a variety of sources, including federal, state, and local funds. Grants, scholarships, and work-study programs are the main types of assistance available to you. Bevill State Community College does not participate in any federal student loan programs.

How Does It Work?
To be considered for most types of financial assistance, you must first complete a form called the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” which is available in the Office of Student Services or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is important that you complete this form as soon as possible. Remember, you must fill out a FAFSA form each year to be considered for financial assistance. Bevill State encourages students to apply as soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year. Your need analysis form will be evaluated by a confidential aid application processor. Using a standard formula, set by the government, the processor will determine the amount that your family can afford to pay for educational expenses. They will consider income, expenses, assets, and any special circumstances. The amount of aid for which you are eligible is calculated by subtracting the amount you and your family can contribute (called your Expected Family Contribution, or EFC) from the annual cost of your education, which includes tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. The difference between your education expenses and your EFC is called “need.”

What is Next?
Upon receipt of the Student Aid Report (a form sent to you from the financial aid processing center), you should

1) Submit the Student Aid Report to Financial Assistance personnel in the Office of Student Services on any of the four main Bevill State Campuses.

Once the form is received, you may be required to provide other information to verify what you have reported on the forms. You may be asked to bring in your tax returns, non-taxable income documentation, financial aid transcript from previously attended institutions and possibly other information. Once your financial aid and admission files are complete, an official award letter will be mailed to you indicating the types and amounts of financial assistance you will receive.