Q: What is your deadline?

A: The financial aid priority deadline is for Leeward Community College (LCC) is April 1^st for the next academic year. Completed applications are considered on a first come first served basis until funds are depleted. We highly recommend that you complete and submit all documents by the priority deadline to assure that funds are available on the first day of instruction. All applications are subject to the program awarding guidelines. Student whose applications are incomplete or are received after April 1^st must rely on their own resources to make the tuition payment deadlines and other expenses. There is no deferment of tuition payments. The financial aid office continues to process applications until funds are depleted or the academic year has ended.

Q: Do I return the paper FAFSA to your office?

A: NO. Your completed FAFSA must be mailed to the Federal Processor in the pre-addressed envelope provided with the application.

Q: When are applications available?

A: Applications are available the first working day of the New Year in January for the upcoming academic year. Current year applications are available on an on-going basis.

Q: How long is the application good for?

A: The FAFSA is only good for the academic year indicated on the application. You need to re-apply for the next academic year by the priority deadline if you will be continuing school.

Q: Why do I have to provide parental information?

A: Parental information is used because parents have the primary responsibility of funding a college education. Parental information is not necessary if you are independent.

Q: How do I know if I am an independent student?

A: By federal definition, you are considered independent if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are 24 years or older
• You are working on a degree beyond a Bachelor’s degree
• You are married by the date you filed your FAFSA
• You are a ward of the court or both parents are deceased and you do not have an adoptive parent. If you were a ward of the court until the age of 18, please submit documentation showing your release from court custody upon reaching age 18.
• You have legal dependents that fit the following definition:
  
  • Children, who receive more than half of their support from you, or other people living with you, who receive more than half of their support from you, and will continue to receive that support during the academic year you are applying for (do not include your spouse)
• You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. You are considered a veteran if you:
  
  • have engaged in active service in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.

  You are NOT a veteran if you:

  • were never in the U.S. Armed Forces
  • were only a ROTC student
  • were only a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies
  • were only a National Guard or Reserves enlistee and were not activated for duty
  • are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and will continue to serve through June 30 prior to the academic year you are applying for

  • If you do not meet any of the definitions above, then you are considered dependent and MUST report your parents’ information on the FAFSA. Our office may require documentation.

     

Q: What if I do not meet any of the definitions above AND my parents do not support me?

A: You are not automatically independent for financial aid purposes simply because your parents stop claiming you as a tax exemption or refuse to give you support for your college education. Unwillingness, inability, or reluctance of parents to help pay for your educational costs or becoming emancipated and/or qualifying for in-state tuition do not make you independent by federal law.

Q: My parents are separated but not legally divorced. My mother supports me. How can I get my father's tax information if I don't know how to contact him?

A: If you live with your mother, your father’s income is not needed.

Q: How do I fill out the FAFSA if my parents are divorced?

A: Provide the information of the parent with whom you lived with the majority of time. If the student lives with either parent equally, provide the information of the parent who provides more than half of the student’s support.

Q: Does it matter which parent claimed me as a dependent for tax purposes?

A: NO. IRS Rules are different, and do not apply in this case for FAFSA purposes.

Q: If you are being raised by someone other than your parent under loose verbal, rather than legal arrangements, whose income should be reported?

A: Your parents’ information goes on the FAFSA. (What if the child has no contact with the parent(s)? Contact the Financial Aid Office at (808) 455-0606 or lccfao@hawaii.edu for an appointment. The student CAN be legally dependent only on the parent and no one else. The student must check with the school to determine if they qualify for a dependency override.)

Q: What happens if taxes are not done "on time", or were not done for the past 5+ years, or my parents don't file taxes at all, etc.?

A: If you don’t file, why? Are you required to file? If you “just don’t” or “just won’t” file taxes, you CANNOT file the FAFSA. IRS will soon start matching income reported on the FAFSA.

Q: If I have an unusual circumstance – is there someone I can explain it to?

A: Yes, but you must try to complete the FAFSA with the information requested. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (808) 455-0606 or lccfao@hawaii.edu. We have procedures you can follow regarding special circumstances.

Q: How do you report homes being in the family's name that they don't live in or receive benefit from (home left to them from family member, they already own home, so they are letting extended family live there free of charge)?

A: This home is reported as real estate. You still own it so you could sell it or get a second mortgage on it. Therefore, it is considered to be an asset.

Q: What happens after I apply?

A: YOU have the responsibility to follow up on your aid package. If you submit a paper FAFSA, you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor when they have completed processing your FAFSA. This usually takes between 4-7 weeks. If your FAFSA was filed electronically, please check the status of your on-line (SAR) and make any necessary corrections.

We will receive an electronic copy of your (SAR) provided that you listed our school code (004549) on your application. After reviewing your electronic SAR, we may send you a request for additional information or forms to complete. You should submit all completed forms to our office as soon as possible. Your application is considered complete when the last document we requested is submitted. Our office reviews applications based on a chronological completion date. You will be mailed an award letter indicating the “aid package” you are eligible to receive when the awards are finalized.

Q: What is an “aid package”?

A: When you apply for financial aid, you do not have to apply for a particular type or amount of aid. Aid applicants are automatically considered for all available aid programs administered by our office. One or more types of aid are usually awarded in combination to make up a student’s financial aid package.

Q: Are private scholarships included in this “aid package”?

A: Students, who receive scholarships from outside agencies or through their departments, must inform our office. These scholarships will be included as a part of their financial aid package.

Q: When do I receive my checks?

A: If you complete and submit your application and supporting documents in on a timely basis, it is possible to receive your checks before school begins. However, you need to review the award information mailed to you with your award letter for instructions on check disbursements. Once instruction begins, documentation of attendance is required for every class you are enrolled in by the appropriate deadline for each semester or you will need to repay the funds you received.

Q: If I withdraw from my classes, will I be required to repay the funds I received?

A: Per federal regulations, our office must apply a federal formula to determine if funds need to be repaid. In addition, your withdrawal may place you in jeopardy of receiving awards for subsequent semesters based on our Academic Progress Policy.

Q: If I am on financial aid probation, can I receive any awards?

A: Yes. You can receive awards while on financial aid probation but you must adhere to the following terms of probation:

• You must enroll for at least six (6) credits AND
• You must complete all classes you are enrolled in (no withdrawals, drops or failures) AND
• You must maintain a semester grade point average of at least 2.0

Q: How can I contact the Financial Aid office?

Leeward Community College Financial Aid Office
96-045 Ala Ike Pearl City, Hawaii 96782

Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
In person: AD-210
Telephone: (808) 455-0606
Fax: (808) 454-8804
email: lccfao@hawaii.edu
Federal School Code: 004549