Paying for College with Financial Aid

There are 5 basic steps to applying for and receiving any kind of financial aid (federal, state, college/university, or private scholarships).

Step 1: Get Started by Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

See what you will need to complete this step:

Learn about and apply for scholarships:

Scholarship are available all year round, so apply often.

Scholarships will reduce how much you have to borrow in loans.

You can search for...

STEP 2: Get it Right Using Required Documents and Verification

See what you will need to complete this step:

Financial aid verification is a process to validate required documents and data you provided on the application.

Know what you need to submit – Check your To Do List by going to the Online Student Center for...

  • Required forms, needed documents and instructions
  • Verification forms

*Scholarship applications will ask for additional documents, so carefully read the scholarship applications for deadlines and additional documents.

STEP 3: Get Funded by Receiving a Financial Aid Award

See what you will need to complete this step:

Your financial aid award can be made up of a combination of different funding sources.

Your Financial Aid award will hold your semester enrollment in classes as long as you have enough funding to cover your tuition and fees.

Types of Awards

Keep in Mind

  • Funding that does not have to be repaid is accepted for you (grants, scholarships and federal work-study)
  • Carefully read and complete all other requirements
  • Most awards cover the whole academic year
  • You must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester to qualify for loans
  • Pell Census is typically 10 days after the start of the term; att this time, your enrollment for financial aid eligibility is finalized and your eligibility for financial aid awards is determined
  • For loans, you do not have to borrow the total amount; only borrow what you need for education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation (not all colleges), room and board and personal expenses
  • Check to see if you award covers all of your tuition and fees
  • Tuition and fees are due 35 days prior to the start of your first class each semester/term

Explore payment options at my.maricopa.edu/paying-for-college

STEP 4: Put Your Award to Work by Receiving Financial Aid Disbursement

See what you will need to complete this step:

Financial Aid disbursement is when scholarships, grants, and loans are all applied to the balance of your tuition and fees.

Book Advance

A book advance is a pre disbursement. If your award exceeds tuition and fees amounts for the semester/term, you may be eligible for a book advance.

Remaining Financial Aid

If after your tuition, fees and a book advance are subtracted from your semester/term financial aid award, you may be eligible for the remainder of the award.

  • Be sure to complete the Enrollment process; your enrollment is reviewed before a disbursement is made
  • You must be enrolled into the Maricopa Student Refund Process (MSRP) to receive any funds
  • Book advances are available 9 day before the start of your first class
  • Returning Rio Salado students will not receive a book advance until their prior class’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is reviewed
  • *Returning students with outstanding SAP issues are NOT eligible for a book advance until their SAP issues is resolved
  • You will receive all book advance and remaining funds through the Maricopa Student Refund Process (MSRP)

STEP 5: Keep Your Aid by Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

See what you will need to complete this step:

Most, if not all, forms of financial aid have an academic eligibility requirement, so...

  • Be aware of the academic requirements to maintain funding eligibility
  • Note that evaluation of satisfactory academic progress can happen semester-by-semester
  • Review MCCCD Official SAP Policy
  • Watch the SAP video