Applying
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- Make sure you’re going to meet all of your degree requirements.
Keep your student record updated.
How do I apply?
To apply for financial aid, you need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information, please visit our website or Federal Student Aid.
When should I apply?
The FAFSA application typically opens on October 1 and closes on June 30 of every year.
Is there a deadline?
Leeward CC has a priority deadline of March 1 of every year. We encourage you to complete your FAFSA and other required documents by March 1. You may still apply after the priority deadline, but you will need to be prepared to pay for tuition and other educational expenses until you are awarded financial aid (if you qualify).
How often do I need to apply?
The FAFSA needs to be completed once for each academic year you attend. Leeward CC’s academic year includes Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
What is the FSS
The FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) replaces what is formerly known as the Student Aid Report (SAR). The FSS is a summary of the information you reported on your FAFSA and provides basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid.
What is the SAI?
The SAI is calculated from the information on your FAFSA to determine your family’s ability to pay for college and is used to determine aid eligibility. The SAI also determines your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant.
What is "verification?"
Verification is the process in which the Financial Aid Office must verify the accuracy of the information you reported on your FAFSA. It is a random selection process by the federal government. If you are selected for verification, you will be notified via email notification from the Financial Aid Office.
Can I be considered an independent student?
Unusual Circumstance (Dependency Override) is used to address a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation in which the student is unable to contact parents or where contact with parents poses a risk to such student. This would enable an otherwise dependent student to apply for financial aid without parent information. If you have an unusual circumstance and would like us to review your status to see if your situation warrants a dependency override, please visit our website and view the information in the Unusual Circumstances section.
What if my (spouse/parents) current income is different from what was reported on the current FAFSA Form?
Special Circumstances is used to address substantial changes to information collected on the FAFSA Form or components reflected in the Cost of Attendance (COA). If the financial information that you reported on your FAFSA does not reflect your current financial situation due to extenuating circumstances, or if you have costs that exceed our Cost of Attendance (e.g. child care expenses, unusual high or additional medical expenses), you may file a petition to consider these circumstances or additional costs. Please visit our website and review the information about Special Circumstances.
Eligibility
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- Make sure you’re going to meet all of your degree requirements.
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How is my eligibility determined?
Your eligibility is determined by your cost of attendance, SAI, financial need, and the availability of funds administered by our office.
What is Cost of Attendance?
Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated educational expenses that you may incur as a student. COA includes estimated costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, personal expenses, and transportation.
How is my financial need calculated?
Cost of Attendance minus Student Aid Index (SAI) equals Financial Need. External resources (e.g. scholarships, tuition assistance or stipends) is also included in this formula to calculate Financial Need.
Financial Need is used to determine your eligibility for need-based federal and institutional funds.
Do I need to be full time?
It depends on your eligibility. Students may still qualify for a prorated award at less than full-time status (less than 12 credits).
Keep in mind that if you qualify for aid, your initial offer will be based on full-time enrollment (12 credits or more), unless your financial aid timeframe is limited; see our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.
What if I am taking a course at another UH campus?
Course(s) taken at another UH campus may be considered for financial aid at Leeward CC if the following requirements are met:
- Your home campus is Leeward CC.
- Enrolled for at least ONE course at Leeward CC.
- Course(s) taken at another UH campus must apply to your Leeward CC degree.
Course(s) taken at another UH campus will be automatically evaluated to determine financial aid eligibility.
What if I am receiving a scholarship?
You must notify our office if you are receiving an external scholarship (a scholarship not awarded by our office). You must provide our office with a copy of your scholarship award notification. Your scholarship will be considered when determining your eligibility. If you have been awarded aid, your award may be revised or cancelled.
What if I withdraw from or fail my courses?
If you do not earn any of the credits you attempted in a semester, our office must apply a calculation to determine if any funds you received for the semester must be repaid. In addition, your withdrawal and/or failing grade(s) may affect your ability to receive financial aid in future semesters based on our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.
What is Satisfactory by Academic Progress Policy?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy outlines the minimum academic requirements you must meet to be considered for financial aid.
What if I need more financial aid?
If you need additional funds beyond what was awarded to you, you may want to consider applying for scholarships and/or student loans.
How do I check my status?
You can check your status via MyUH Services. For more details, visit the Check Your Status page.
Disbursement
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- Make sure you’re going to meet all of your degree requirements.
Keep your student record updated.
How will I receive my financial aid money?
If you qualify for aid, your financial aid will be electronically applied to your tuition and fee charges (if you still have a balance).
Financial aid will be released based on your financial aid enrollment. Your financial aid enrollment is your enrollment in the courses that apply to an eligible Leeward CC degree you are seeking and classified in. See our CPoS site for more information.
For more information on disbursements, view our Disbursement and Enrollment information.
How do I get my financial aid refund?
If there are financial aid funds still remaining (excess funds) after your balance has been paid, the Cashier’s Office will process a refund to you.
Excess funds will be refunded:
- Via paper check (sent through the regular mail) on the 15th and the last business day of the month. If the 15th of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, checks will be issued on the business day prior to the weekend or holiday.
- Via direct deposit into your bank account within 3 to 5 business days from the date of your disbursement, if you signed up for eRefunds.
eRefunds is a simple and secure way to receive your financial aid refund. To sign up, log in to your MyUH Services and click on Enroll in Direct Deposit eRefunds (Students Only).
When will I get my financial aid?
When your financial aid is successfully processed, the Cashier’s Office will apply your financial aid toward your student account according to the dates required by Federal Regulations.
Grants will be credited to your account no earlier than 10 days prior to the start of the semester based on your enrollment level at that time.
For first-time and first-year student loan borrowers, loans will be disbursed 30 days after the first day of school as required by Federal Regulations.
If you are enrolled in a modular program/course (s), your disbursement dates may differ.
For more information on disbursements, view our Disbursement and Enrollment information.