FINANCIAL AID REQUIREMENTS

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure to add Rend Lake College’s Federal School Code to your application to ensure that the results of the FAFSA are available to our office. The online application is available athttp://www.fafsa.gov. We strongly encourage all students to complete the application online. However, a paper application can still be obtained by calling 1-800-433-3243.
• You must be pursuing a degree or certificate program. Degree programs include Associate of Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science Degrees and the one year Occupational Certificates. The following level classes are not eligible for financial aid: 1600, 1700, 1800, and 1900 level as well as all COMED classes. Short term training programs such as Truck Driving and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) are not eligible. Check with the office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs if you are unsure if your program of study will be covered under financial aid.
• If you are a male who is at least 18 years of age and born after December 31, 1959, you must be registered with Selective Service in order to receive financial aid. If you believe that you are not required to be registered, call the Selective Service office at 1-847-688-6888 for information regarding exemption.
• You must provide any documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office, including tax forms, if needed to complete verification.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Not in default on student loans or owe a refund on any Title IV funds.
• Use all funds received from Title IV financial aid programs for expenses related to study at Rend Lake College.
• A change in enrollment may affect your financial aid. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans' Affairs when any schedule changes are made including withdrawal from classes.
• You must be enrolled in eligible courses. The amount of aid a student is eligible to receive is adjusted for different enrollment statuses.
  • Full-time = 12 or more credit hours
  • Three-quarter time = 9-11 credit hours
  • Half-time = 6-8 credit hours
  • Part-time = 3-5 credit hours

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Eligibility to receive financial assistance is based on the previous year's income data. However, if your family's financial situation has recently changed for the worse because of a death, separation/divorce, or a loss of a job or benefits, you may meet one of the "Special Circumstances" that will allow financial aid eligibility to be based on expected gross income rather than actual prior-year income information. If you feel you may meet one of these special circumstances, you should contact the Financial Aid Office.

WHEN TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

For the 2013-2014 school year, you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1, 2013. The best time to apply is by March 1, 2013 (for the 2013-2014 school year). You can complete the FAFSA at any time during the school year, but keep in mind there are deadlines that may eliminate you from eligibility for certain grants and scholarships.

Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education

The official FAFSA is at www.FAFSA.gov – not at a .com Web site. If you go to a .com site, you will probably be asked to pay to submit the FAFSA. Remember, the first F in "FAFSA" stands for "free" – so use the official government site to submit your application.

If you have any questions, or require additional information on student financial assistance, you should contact your high school guidance counselor if you are currently in high school, the financial aid administrator at the postsecondary school you plan to attend, or the Federal Student Aid Information Center.

ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDING

The student budget for 2013-2014 used to estimate Cost of Attendance is as follows for a full-time, in-district student during the nine-month school year. Room, board, transportation, and personal expenses vary greatly with each student’s individual situation. However, for financial aid purposes, these costs are estimated as follows:

* Textbook Rental information.