What is a Federal Student Loan?
A federal student loan is money borrowed from the federal government to help pay for your education, that must be repaid with interest. For more information, visit , a tool to ensure you understand your obligation to repay the loan, and sign a .
How much will my federal student loan repayment be? What repayment or forgiveness options do I have for my federal student loans?
You can calculate your Federal Student Loan repayment and review the repayment plans and loan forgiveness options under the Loan Repayment and Loan Forgiveness links on . Be sure to add the CACC’s college code (001007), so your application will be sent to the CACC Financial Aid Office. Follow up on your CACC email account, the email listed on your FAFSA, and/or OneACCS approximately 5-7 business days after completing your FAFSA to see what requirements, if any, are needed. All submitted documents requested will be reviewed and any necessary corrections made. Once all financial aid and admission requirements are complete and your award is processed, you will receive, if eligible, an Offer of Financial Aid email notification to your CACC email. You may continue to check OneACCS for your offer by clicking on Student > Student Landing Page > Financial Aid Dashboard > Award.
How do I or my parents electronically sign the FAFSA?
Each person who will sign the FAFSA electronically, will need to create an FSA ID online.
I’m not comfortable completing the FAFSA online. Can I apply another way?
The online application process has been simplified and is user-friendly. If you don’t have access to a computer, there are computers available for use on all ĂŰĚŇTV Alabama campuses or at your local public library. Paper copies are available by calling 1-800-433-3243. You must mail paper applications to the Federal Student Aid Program address provided in the paper application information. Paper applications will have an extended processing time with the US Department of Education.
My parents are divorced. Whose information do I need for the FAFSA?
The FAFSA determines which parent you should use on the FAFSA. Studentaid.gov has helpful hints and tools.
I do not live with my parents, and I pay my own living expenses. Can I apply without my parent's income?
Unless you can truthfully answer “yes” to at least one of the dependency questions on the FAFSA, the Federal Government requires you to enter your parent’s personal and tax information. Click for more information.
I do not work, and my parents do not file a tax return because they receive Social Security benefits. How do I answer the tax questions?
If there is no income earned from work and Social Security benefits are untaxed, answer tax-related questions as “Not Filing a Tax Return” with zero income.
What if I live with my grandparents or someone else who is not my parent?
If you are in this situation, please contact the CACC Financial Aid Office at financial_aid@cacc.edu to set up a meeting so that we can assist you through the financial aid process. Click for more information.
What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?
Students and parents who have completed their tax returns may be eligible to use the is from the may receive up to 50% of the initially-scheduled award (full-time amount awarded for Fall and Spring). Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6-8 credit hours) in the program of study during the Summer term to receive additional funds. If a student has not used all of the initially-scheduled offer, the rest of the scheduled offer will be used first. If less than 100% of the scheduled offer remains, then the remainder and part of the additional 50% will be used. Below are some examples for a student who is eligible for $4,000 for the year.
If a student enrolled full time ($2,000) in the fall and three-quarter time ($1,500) in the Spring, funds ($500) from the initially-scheduled award would remain. If enrolled half-time in the Summer, the student would be eligible for $1,000. The Pell payment would include the remaining amount of the initially-scheduled award ($500) plus additional year-round funds ($500).
If a student attends full time in the Fall and Spring, no Pell funds from the initial schedule award would be remaining. But, the student could receive Year-Round Pell funds so long as the student registers for at least six credit hours. Remember that aid will continue to be prorated based on enrolled and attended hours. All Pell Grant funds received, including additional funds beyond the initially-scheduled offer, must be counted towards the student’s overall lifetime eligibility limits.
What if I have funds remaining after charges (tuition, books, etc.)?
Remaining funds should begin to be direct deposited or mailed approximately two weeks after the late registration/drop/add period ends. Students may sign up for direct deposit by the deadline provided by the CACC Business Office. In most cases, it is best to sign up for direct deposit prior to the start of the term. Paper checks are mailed to the mailing address in the OneACCS system that has been listed on your admissions application. It is recommended to ensure that you have the correct mailing address prior to the start of each term. To update your address, please contact student_services@cacc.edu for instructions.
What is an Indirect Title IV Authorization?
All federal financial aid is Title IV funding. The Title IV Authorization allows you to accept or decline the authorization to allow your financial aid to apply for all charges on your student account and, if eligible, use your financial aid to pay for books in our online bookstore. Students who choose to decline the authorization will not be eligible to receive a book voucher using federal financial aid and may owe a balance to the student account after a refund has been processed. Declining the authorization of your federal aid status you do not wish for your aid to cover any non-institutional charges such as fees or bookstore charges.
I see a negative balance amount (example: -$706) on OneACCS. What does this mean?
This is the amount of your estimated credit balance that may be refunded. The Business Office begins issuing refund checks approximately two weeks after the late registration/drop/add period ends for the semester.
Can I pick up my financial aid check?
No. It is College policy that all checks are mailed or funds direct deposited.
When will Pell Grant/Loan checks be deposited or mailed?
The first credit balance checks are issued approximately two weeks after the drop/add period. After this initial disbursement, credit balance checks are typically, issued by the Business Office weekly. Per federal regulations, first time loan borrowers who meet the federal requirements for disbursement will have a 30-day disbursement delay. In addition, federal student loan borrowers who meet the federal requirements who have a one-term only loan will receive loan payment in two equal disbursements during that term.
What if I don’t receive my check?
You should wait 14 business days from the date your check was placed mailed. This is to allow sufficient time for the Post Office to deliver the check or for the check to be returned to the College if the check was undeliverable. Once 14 business days have passed, please contact the Business Office if you would like to request a stop payment on your check and have another check issued. Please note, once a stop payment has been issued, that check is null and void. We encourage students to use direct deposit rather than a mailed paper check by logging into MyCACC > Student Card> Make Payment to create a profile.
Why is the amount of my direct deposit or check different from what I was expecting?
Several factors may have led to a reduction in your check or direct deposit amount. For example, if your instructors have not yet reported your class attendance, your funds may be reduced. Enrolling in a course outside of your degree program can also result in decreased funds. Additionally, if you are enrolled in a class that begins later in the term (e.g., Mini 2), your financial aid will be temporarily reduced until you start attending that class and attendance is reported.
Does CACC accept Direct, FFELP, PLUS or Stafford Loans?
Yes, CACC participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program for students and the Federal Direct Stafford Loan PLUS program for parents, but does not participate in private loans.
Do I need to complete the FAFSA application even though I am going to get a loan?
Yes, a completed FAFSA application is important for those interested in a federal loans, scholarship or Federal Work-Study.
If I withdraw from a class, how will it affect my financial aid?
Withdrawing before the freeze/census date or fully withdrawing from the College before the 60% date can lead to a reduction in your financial aid, potentially creating a balance on your account due to unearned aid from not completing the semester/term. Additionally, withdrawing from classes may impact your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which could affect your eligibility for financial aid in future terms. To avoid these consequences, it’s important to consult with the Financial Aid Office before making any decisions to withdraw from a class or the from the entire semester.
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined as the successful completion of coursework toward an eligible certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Financial Aid Office to monitor the academic progress of students receiving financial aid. You may view the SAP policies online CACC.edu > Financial Aid > Financial Aid Forms > click the year you plan to attend. You may view your SAP status on MyCACC > Financial Aid > Financial Aid Status
Why does my eligibility status show “warning?”
If you fail to achieve the required cumulative GPA or do not successfully complete the required percentage of hours, you will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. You can still receive Pell funds in your warning semester. The warning will be lifted in a subsequent term if you attain the required cumulative GPA and successfully complete the required percentage of hours. If you do not achieve required SAP, you will lose your eligibility. However, you may appeal by the following: CACC.edu > Financial Aid > Financial Aid Forms (for the requested year) > Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Request.
I am on “warning” or financial aid academic plan. Can I register early for classes?
Your financial aid (Pell Grant or loan) cannot be applied until grades have officially posted for the classes you are currently taking and until your SAP is re-evaluated. Of course, if you want to register before grades are officially posted, you can register and make payment. If you are meeting SAP after grades post, your aid will apply to your student account charges.
Why is my eligibility (SAP) status showing MAX or MTHMX?
Per federal regulations, you have one-and-a-half times the length of your chosen program to complete it. Once you reach this maximum time frame, MAX will appear as your eligibility. If you are unable to complete your degree within the maximum time frame, MTHMX will appear as your eligibility. Students with MAX or MTHMX statuses are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.
How does the appeals process work?
If a student failed to make SAP (GPA, PACE, GPAPCE) or has reached maximum time frame (MAX or MTHMX), the student may file an appeal by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Request Form and submit any required supporting documentation to the CACC Inceptia Satisfactory Academic Progress portal. This portal is listed at CACC.edu > Financial Aid > Financial Aid Forms> (Choose the year) Forms > Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Request. You will need to select the provided link to access the SAP Advisor. If an appeal is approved, be sure to follow all instructions of the appeal decision. Incomplete appeals will not be reviewed. Please note that there is not an appeal for the Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage.
How do I find out the results of my appeal?
Appeal decisions post in OneACCS. View the decision under Student > Student Landing Page > Financial Aid Dashboard > Notifications. You can also view your current status by selecting the Satisfactory Academic Progress menu item across the top of the page. Approved students will be sent an email with information required for the approval.
Will it help my eligibility (SAP) if I bankrupt a semester?
Filing academic bankruptcy will not improve your SAP. If you are interested in academic bankruptcy, please visit the Student Services Office or reference the CACC catalog for this information.
What is Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility?
The maximum Pell Lifetime Eligibility a student is eligible to receive is limited to 12 full-time semesters (six years) or 600%.
How do I find out how much of my Lifetime Eligibility I have used?
To find out the amount you have used, visit the .
How much is tuition and fees?
The current tuition and fee rates, along with other charges, fines, and fees are located in the CACC Catalog for each year in the Tuition and Fee Rate section.
What do I owe/how much are my classes?
If you have registered, tuition and fees will show on your OneACCS account. You may also look on OneACCS to see if you have any financial aid authorized to your account. Please check OneACCS > Student > Student Landing Page > Make A Payment
How do I make a payment?
Please log into OneACCS > Student > Student Landing Page > Make a Payment
How do I see if I am getting a refund?
Please log into OneACCS > Student Landing Page > Make Payment. Once you are on the Make Payment screen, click the semester that you are wanting to view. If your balance due shows a negative amount. Example: -1000.00 or (1000.00), this may be the approximate amount of your refund. Please Note: This amount could change if all tuition and fees are not on the student account and bookstore charges have not imported in the system from the Bookstore, if applicable.
What is the Cost of Attendance at CACC?
Click here for CACC’s Cost of Attendance
Why does the Cost of Attendance show more than Tuition and Fees?
The Cost of Attendance (COA) allows for the approximate housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses in addition to your tuition and fees. Only tuition and fees are billed to your CACC student account. Housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses are not billed by CACC. Books are an exception if are purchased by using a CACC book voucher in our online bookstore, your student account will be charged. The COA allows students an approximate total budget of possible expenses associated with attending CACC.
Does CACC allow VA Benefits for veterans and dependents?
Yes! Check our veteran information page. Please note that each semester, a student who wishes to use benefits must request certification. The VA Benefit Request for Certification is located on the Financial Aid Forms webpage for the appropriate year. Contact financial_aid@cacc.edu if you have any questions.