Financial Aid

To apply for Federal Student Aid, visit StudentAid.gov and complete the online FAFSA application form. There, you can also get more information about the FAFSA form, how to apply, determine your dependency status, and learn next steps after submitting.

How to Fill Out a FAFSA Form

FAFSA Status

Students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can view the status of the application in their Self Service Aiken account. Sign in using your VIP ID and password.

Be sure to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for the best aid package and to allow for timely notification of your eligibility. Also, you must provide any additional information we need before awards can be made. You can check the status of your FAFSA and review any outstanding requirements on Self Service Aiken. 

You no longer have to manually apply your financial aid to your account balance. Financial aid automatically applies once disbursed to your student account if you have completed all requirements with the Office of Financial Aid.

Priority Deadline

Student aid funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Because funds are limited in the Federal Work-Study, Federal SEOG, and SC Need-based Grant programs, we urge you to plan and apply early.

The priority deadline for receipt of the FAFSA information in the USC Aiken Office of Financial Aid is March 1. Once your application is processed by the U.S. Department of Education, your information is sent electronically to the USCA Office of Financial Aid by the use of our school code (003449). The date that your FAFSA information is electronically received by our office is considered your application received date for financial aid. Applications meeting all federal and institutional requirements by the priority deadline are considered for the maximum financial aid package for which a student is eligible, including need-based aid programs with limited funding. Applications received and reviewed after this date are considered for appropriate available funds remaining. If we receive your FAFSA information after the priority deadline, you will still be eligible to receive Pell Grant and Direct Loan funds if you qualify. You may also apply for other loan funds as needed.

If your FAFSA information is received in the USCA Office of Financial Aid after July 1, you should not expect financial aid to be available before the deadline to pay your Fall semester bill.

Determining Need

The Office of Financial Aid assesses a student's financial need based on estimated expenses for a 9-month period, covering tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses, known as the total cost of attendance or student expense budgets.

To qualify for federal financial aid, completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required. The application determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on various factors such as parents' income, family size, and student's assets. An independent student's need is assessed based on their own resources, without considering parental contribution.

Financial need is calculated by subtracting the EFC from the total cost of attendance, indicating the maximum eligibility for need-based financial aid and scholarships. However, due to limited funding, a student's aid package might not cover the full financial need. In such cases, additional funding may be obtained through additional borrowing (such as external loans) or non-need-based employment.

In some instances, adjustments to aid packages may be necessary to prevent over-awards, which occur when financial aid exceeds the demonstrated need. Students may receive revised award notifications to comply with federal regulations.

Verification

In order to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on your FAFSA, you may be required to submit a copy of your parents' and/or your Tax Return Transcript and other relevant document(s) to Financial Aid. 

If your application is chosen for verification, you will be notified through your Self Service Aiken account. It is extremely important that you respond promptly to any request for additional information or documentation. Financial aid awards can only be made after all required information is received, reviewed and determined to be accurate. This includes awards for grants, student loans, federal work-study and some institutional scholarships. Even if your application is received by the priority deadline, you will not receive a financial aid award if your file is incomplete.

Veteran & Military Students

For more information about applying to USCA as a veteran or military student, visit the Office of Veteran & Military Student Success.

Summer Financial Aid

For USCA's summer sessions, you'll need to fill out the current year's FAFSA and a separate USCA summer financial aid application (for loans only), available on Self Service Aiken starting April 1. Due to the condensed time frame, it's crucial to adhere to application deadlines, with the priority deadline set for May 15.

Financial aid for summer school is limited, so it's essential to plan accordingly.

• To be eligible for aid, undergraduates must be enrolled at least half time (or six hours) over all summer sessions. For graduates, half time is three hours.

If you've used all your Federal Direct Loan eligibility for the academic year during the fall and spring, there will be no Direct Loan funds left for summer sessions. However, if you're eligible for Federal Pell Grant or private educational loans, you can explore those as options for summer enrollment. Parents of dependent students may also be eligible for Federal Parent Loan (PLUS) for summer sessions.

Remember to submit your application by the deadline to ensure timely processing.

Summer Scholarships

Summer semester scholarships offer eligible students an opportunity to fast-track their degree completion at a lower cost. To qualify, students must meet specific GPA and credit hour requirements by the end of the spring term. This information applies to Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship programs, students must maintain enrollment in at least 12 credit hours over the summer term to remain eligible. Additionally, students may be eligible for enhancement funds to their scholarships under certain conditions. It's essential to meet with a financial aid counselor before disbursement. If your summer enrollment involves concurrent or transient study, you must complete a Special Enrollment Form with the Registrar's Office.

For more information on general and eligibility requirements, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (803) 641-3476 or [email protected].