FAQs
- How do I apply?
- When do I apply?
- What happens after I submit the FAFSA?
- I received an email from Department of Education saying my FAFSA was processed and sent to the school, but when I called the Financial Aid Office they said they didn't have it?
- What is Allan Hancock's Title IV code?
- Are tax forms submitted to AHC or to the FAFSA processor?
- What is California College Promise Grant (formerly BOG)?
- Do I have to submit a FAFSA if I want to apply for the California College Promise Grant?
- Do I have to submit a FAFSA if I want to apply for scholarships?
- What if I have questions or problems filling out the FAFSA?
- Why is federal financial aid based on both my parents' and my income if I don't live with them?
- Why is financial aid not based on current income?
- What if my circumstances have changed?
- How much financial aid can I receive once my file is complete, and how is my eligibility determined?
- I sometimes hear "freeze date", what does that mean?
- How Does My Enrollment Affect My Award Amounts?
- What Is the School’s Return of Title IV Policy?
- What Is the School’s Disbursement/Overpayment Policy?
- If I add a class after the date, will I be paid for that added class?
- If I enroll in 12 units by the freeze date, and then later I drop a 3 unit class that I attended after the freeze date, what will my financial aid payment be based upon?
- If I enroll in 12 units by the freeze date, and then later I drop a 3 unit class before the class begins, what will my financial aid payment be based upon?
- If I enroll in 12 units by the freeze date, attend all the classes, and then decide I need to withdraw from all classes, what happens to the financial aid funds I received?
- What if AHC receives my FAFSA/Dream Act application before the freeze date but I don't register for classes until after the freeze date?
- What if I'm enrolled and currently attending classes, but decide to apply and submit my FAFSA/Dream Act application after the freeze date?
- If AHC receives my FAFSA/Dream Act application before the freeze date and I registered in my classes by the freeze date, but I have not finished my financial aid file until after the semester ends, what will my financial aid be based upon?
- Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?
- How many units are considered full time for financial aid?
- I need a copy of my award notification, how do I go about getting one?
- What is Federal Work Study (FWS)?
- How do I apply for Federal Work Study (FWS)?
- What are the requirements to be eligible to receive Federal Work Study (FWS)?
- What happens if I drop a class/es?
- Do I have to pay a student loan back?
- Why do I have to fill out so many forms?
- What is verification?
- The Financial Aid Office is asking for additional documents, can I fax those?
- Do I reapply for financial aid every year?
- What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?
- What do I do if I am canceled from financial aid?
- How do I check my financial aid eligibility?
- Will financial aid pay for all of my expenses so I will be able to quit my job while going to school?
- Where do I get information about BankMobile Disbursements?
How do I apply?
Apply NO EARLIER than October 1 for financial aid for the next school year. You may
apply after that date but should complete your financial aid file by your last day
of enrollment to ensure payment eligibility. REMEMBER! The earlier you apply and complete
your file, the sooner you could be paid.
What happens after I submit the FAFSA?
About 2-4 weeks after you submit the FAFSA online you will be mailed a Student Aid
Report (SAR). This is a summary of the information you provided on the FAFSA. (If
you don't receive a SAR within 6 weeks, phone the processor at (319) 337-5665.) You
will be notified by AHC by logging into myHancock of what is needed to complete your
Financial Aid file. When all requested documents are received, and information is
confirmed, you will receive an award notification posted on myHancock indicating your
financial aid eligibility with payment information. The entire process takes approximately
8-10 weeks.
I received an email from Department of Education saying my FAFSA was processed and
sent to the school, but when I called the Financial Aid Office they said they didn't
have it?
Once you submit your FAFSA, it will be processed and the Department of Education will
send you an email stating that your application has been sent to the school. The Financial
Aid Office will download weekly, so it may take about a week- week and a half for
the office to receive your application. Once your application is received at Allan
Hancock College, the Financial Aid Office will send you an email stating that your
application has been received and instructions to check your unsatisfied requirements
by logging into myHancock. It is your responsibility to submit any requested information
necessary to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Once all information has
been submitted, the Financial Aid Office will review your file and submit corrections
if necessary. You will receive an email when your award notification is available
on myHancock.
What is Allan Hancock College's Title IV code?
AHC's TITLE IV Code is 001111
Are tax forms submitted to AHC or to the FAFSA processor?
DO NOT submit tax forms with your FAFSA. If tax information is needed, it will be
requested by the Financial Aid Office.
What financial aid programs are covered by the FAFSA?
You will be considered for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grants (FSEOG), California College Promise Grant (CCPG), and Federal Work Study (FWS).
The FAFSA is also used to determine your eligibility for Cal Grants (if the GPA verification
and FAFSA are mailed by March 2 for the next academic year). To be considered for
loan eligibility, the FAFSA is also required.
What is California College Promise Grant (CCPG)?
It is a State financial aid program administered by the Chancellor's Office of the
community college system. It will waive the enrollment fees for California residents
attending a California community college. Students can apply by completing the California
College Promise Grant application form and/or the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) or Dream Act.
Do I have to submit a FAFSA if I want to apply for the California College Promise
Grant (CCPG)?
Submitting a FAFSA may determine your eligibility for the CCPG or a separate CCPG
application may be used.
The deadline for the California College Promise Grant:
- if you paid your fees prior to eligibility determination. There can be no reimbursements
after the last day of instruction for that academic year.
Do I have to submit a FAFSA if I want to apply for scholarships?
Applying for scholarships is a separate process which is not dependent on submitting
the FAFSA.
The deadlines for Scholarships:
Scholarship Applications - The General Scholarship Application is usually online at
www.hancockcollege.edu, each fall for the FOLLOWING academic year. Additional scholarships
are offered throughout the year and are announced in the AHC BULLETIN which is posted
in various campus locations including the Financial Aid Office.
What if I have questions or problems filling out the FAFSA?
Complete as much of the pre-application worksheet as possible. If you still have questions
or problems bring it in or call us so we can help you. You should have tax forms and
income information available (and parent's information if you are considered a dependent).
Why is federal financial aid based on both my parents' and my income if I don't live
with them?
Where you live, it does not determine independence. If you do not meet the INDEPENDENT
criteria which has been determined by Federal Regulations, both incomes must be used
to determine your financial aid eligibility. If you are unsure as to whether you are
considered an INDEPENDENT student, refer to the 'Student Status' section of the FAFSA.
Why is financial aid not based on current income?
Using a prior year's financial information allows us to accurately verify an entire
year's income.
What if my circumstances have changed?
You must complete the FAFSA using last year's accurate income information. After you
receive your Student Air Report (SAR) you may submit an income appeal found under
financial aid forms. Documentation of your changed circumstances will be required
before your financial aid eligibility can be recalculated.
How much financial aid can I receive once my file is complete, and how is my eligibility
determined?
There are varying levels of eligibility. Your award notification will be posted on
myHancock notifying you of your award amounts. The information you provided on the
FAFSA is processed through a series of calculations standardized by the federal government.
The result is your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which is on your SAR. This,
along with your enrollment status, will determine the amount of your financial aid.
I sometimes hear "freeze date", what does that mean?
Freeze date refers to a snapshot of the units enrolled in as of a certain date. For
students who have enrolled in classes and AHC has received their FAFSA/Dream Act application, the freeze date is used to determine
the amount of PELL and Cal Grant funds a student will receive for that semester.
How Your Enrollment May Affect Your Award Amount
What Is the School’s Return of Title IV Policy?
What Is the School’s Disbursement/Overpayment Policy?
If I add a class after the freeze date, will I be paid for that added class?
If you are adding a term 2 class for fall or term 4 class for spring after the freeze
date, your newly added units will be added on your total frozen units.
If I enroll in 12 units by the freeze date, and then later I drop a 3-unit class
that I attended after the freeze date, what will my financial aid payment be based
upon?
You will still be paid for 12 units.
If I enroll in 12 units by the freeze date, and then later I drop a 3-unit class
before the class begins, what will my financial aid payment be based upon?
You will be paid for 9 units. Per the Department of Education, students are not eligible
to be paid for the class they never attended.
If I enroll in 12 units by the freeze date, attend all the classes, and then decide
I need to withdraw from all classes, what happens to the financial aid funds I received?
Repayment calculations will be done to determine if you will be required to repay
funds back to the federal government. The Financial Aid Office will notify you by
mail if repayment is required.
What if AHC receives my FAFSA/Dream Act application before the freeze date but I
don't register for classes until after the freeze date?
If you are not enrolled at the time the FAFSA/Dream Act application is received, then
the units you are enrolled in on the Sunday immediately after your initial registration
will be used to calculate your financial aid payments.
What if I'm enrolled and currently attending classes but decide to apply and submit
my FAFSA/Dream Act application after the freeze date?
If any FAFSA/Dream Act application is received by AHC after the freeze date, the units
enrolled in as of the date the application was received will determine the amount
of PELL, FSEOG, and Cal Grant funds you will receive for the semester.
If AHC receives my FAFSA/Dream Act application before the freeze date and I registered
in my classes by the freeze date, but I have not finished my financial aid file until
after the semester ends, what will my financial aid be based upon?
Per the Department of Education, you will only be eligible to be paid for completed
classes. If you were frozen at 12 units but then dropped 6 units, and completed the
other 6 units, you will only be paid for the classes you completed.
Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?
Eligibility for financial aid may vary. Some students are eligible while enrolled
less than half time and others are not eligible unless enrolled full time. (California
College Promise Grants are available for any level of enrollment if you are considered
a California resident and meet eligibility requirements.)
How many units are considered full time for financial aid?
12 or more units: Full time
9-11.5 units: 3/4 time
6-8.5 units: 1/2 time
(Less than 6 units may be eligible for funding in certain cases.)
I need a copy of my award notification; how do I go about getting one?
You can obtain your award notification by logging into myHancock. Click on the Financial
Aid tab then click on Financial Aid Award. Select school year and submit. You will
click on award overview tab, and this will show your award notification.
What is Federal Work Study (FWS)?
Federal Work Study is a program that provides you with part-time employment, either
on or off campus, to help meet your financial needs.
How do I apply for Federal Work Study (FWS)?
- Complete and submit a FAFSA.
- Log in to your myHancock portal, select the correct aid year, and look under My Financial Aid to view your financial aid unsatisfied requirements under Requirements heading.
- After completing your "unsatisfied requirements", the financial aid office will send an email to inform you of your award eligibility.
- If you are still interested in Federal Work Study, you must immediately do the following:
- Complete the Request for Federal Work Study form at the financial aid office.
- The financial aid office will send an email to inform you of your FWS award.
- Contact the Career Center in Bldg. A, Student Services Building, Room A-207 regarding the job search process or contacting them by telephone at 805-922-6966, ext 3217.
- Log into your myHancock, select the Financial Aid tab, click on Financial Aid Award, select an Aid Year then submit, click on the Award Overview tab, and then print. You must bring this printout to the supervisor of the department of the job for which you are applying. The initial FWS award may be reduced if you receive additional grants or scholarships. If your award amount decreases, it is the student’s responsibility to notify their supervisor immediately.
What are the requirements to be eligible to receive Federal Work Study (FWS)?
- A completed financial aid file. Funds are limited. You must apply early.
- Enrolled in at least 6 units.
- Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards.
What happens if I drop a class/es?
If you are receiving any financial aid other than a Board of Governor's fee waiver
(BOG), dropping classes could result in the student repaying federal funds already
received or could reduce future financial aid funding. It is recommended that you
contact the financial aid office before dropping classes.
Do I have to pay a student loan back?
Yes. Payments for student loans begin once a student falls below half-time enrollment
or leaves school for six months.
Why do I have to fill out so many forms?
We have tried to eliminate as much paperwork as possible while still complying with
the federal regulations. Some students need only one or two forms to complete their
file while others may need several. It is to your advantage to complete and return
all forms promptly.
What is verification?
Verification is checking the information you reported on the FAFSA is correct. The
Department of Education randomly selects students for verification. If selected, additional
information may be requested to resolve missing or conflicting information. If the
additional information is not submitted to the Financial Aid Office, it will delay
the completion of your file.
The Financial Aid Office is asking for additional documents, can I fax those?
No. Documents requested by the Financial Aid Office can be mailed, brought into the
Santa Maria office, or taken to the Lompoc Valley Center. They may not be faxed or
emailed. If documents are received by fax or email, they will not be reviewed, and
the processing of your file will be delayed.
Do I reapply for financial aid every year?
YES! You MUST reapply by submitting a FAFSA for each academic year. You should apply
as early as possible but not before January 1 for the following academic year.
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?
Federal financial aid regulations require that a school establish satisfactory academic
progress standards for students applying for or receiving financial aid. These regulations
require that the financial aid office review all periods of a student’s enrollment
history, regardless of whether financial aid was received.
What do I do if I am canceled from financial aid?
Attend a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) workshop to understand why you are canceled
and see what options you may have for reinstatement.
How do I check my financial aid status?
Your financial aid status can be checked online through myHancock. (See Instructions
Will financial aid pay for all of my expenses so I will be able to quit my job while
going to school?
Probably not. Financial aid is intended to supplement your current income, not to
replace it. Financial aid is meant to be used for additional expenses associated with
going to school.
Where do I get information about BankMobile Disbursements?
Allan Hancock College delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit this link for more information: https://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices/.