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Applying for Financial Aid

Applying

While the academic record of a student is important for admission, to the college, and for certain scholarships, most financial aid is awarded primarily on the basis of financial need. Financial need is determined by comparing the amount a student and their family can provide toward their college education with the actual cost of attending South Carolina State University. The purpose of financial aid is to award students within the guidelines of federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

Tuition and fees are due and payable as a part of the student's registration. The need for financial assistance should be anticipated and all arrangements for aid should be made with the Financial Aid Office prior to registration.


Please follow the steps listed below to apply for financial assistance at South Carolina State University:

  1. Apply for admission to South Carolina State University by completing the Admission application online and return to the Office of Admissions.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. It is important that you fully complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Please be sure to indicate that you would like to attend South Carolina State University by including the Title IV School Code: 003446 on the FAFSA.
  3. Complete all other required financial aid forms and return them to South Carolina State University Financial Aid Office.
  4. When the Office of Financial Aid receives your Student Aid Report, we will then process your award(s), MAIL YOUR AWARD LETTER, and submit all award information via BULLDOGS CONNECTION. We will also notify you in writing of any additional changes made to your Financial Aid award package.

 

Verification
Verification is a process by which an application is selected for review by the Department of Education. Approximately 30% of all financial aid applicants are selected for verification by the U. S. Department of Education and the Office of Financial Aid. If you are selected for verification, the U. S. Department of Education will notify you. In this process, your school (South Carolina State University) will compare information from your application with other financial documents provided by the student and (or) parent(s). If there are differences between your Financial Aid application information and your actual financial documents, South Carolina State University’s Office of Financial Aid may need to make corrections electronically. These documents can be retrieved via Bulldog Connection. You will be required to submit the following documents to the Office of Financial Aid AS REQUESTED:

  1. A signed copy of your Federal Income Tax Return (and your spouse's, if applicable)
  2. A signed copy of your parent's Federal Tax Return
  3. Verification Worksheets are available in the following location:
    1. Office of Financial Aid's Website, at the Frequently Used Forms Link.
    2. Within the Financial Aid Office (Crawford Zimmerman Complex, Suite 151)

Priority Application Filing Dates
Fall or Academic Year Enrollment - May 1st
Spring Semester Enrollment - November 1st
Summer Enrollment - April 1st