The FAFSA & Applying for Financial Aid


Complete the FAFSA and apply for financial aid at the College of Charleston by following these three easy steps.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official application for federal financial aid and your first step in the financial aid process.

1. Obtain an FSA ID

All students and parents of dependent students should apply for a U.S. Department of Education FSA ID.
Your FSA ID will be used to sign your FAFSA electronically for a simpler and faster application process.

2. Complete and Submit your FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to submit a new FAFSA each year to receive aid.

File your FAFSA by Febuary 1 for College of Charleston priority consideration. 

List the College of Charleston school code of 003428 on your FAFSA. 


3. Watch for your Student Aid Report

  • Student Aid Report (SAR). Once you've been admitted, you will receive a Student Aid Report with the results of your FAFSA. When it arrives, make sure to check your SAR for accuracy and make any necessary corrections.
  • Student Aid Index (SAI). Formerly the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the Student Aid Index is used to determine how much financial aid you can receive. The amount is calculated from information provided on your FAFSA and will be listed on your Student Aid Report. 
  • Verification. Your application may be selected for verification to confirm the information submitted on your FAFSA. If you are selected, the Financial Aid Office will notify you to complete the verification form and submit any required documentation. Most verification requests will come from the U.S. Department of Education. The College of Charleston rarely selects applications to verify.
  • Notification. You will receive an email through your College of Charleston email account when your Financial Aid Award Notification becomes available. Incoming first-year students should be notified by mid-April. Follow the instructions to electronically, access, view, accept (or decline) each award, and submit your award notification through MyPortal.
Submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov

Completing the FAFSA Timelines


Plan early to complete the FAFSA and maximize your opportunities for aid and scholarships. Learn more by selecting the option that best aligns with your incoming student status.
  • First-Year Students

    If you're coming to College of Charleston with fewer than 12 college credit hours, you are considered a first-year student. 

    Before October 1

    • Begin searching for private, local, national or other scholarships. 

    • Apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. Both you and your parent or guardian will need an FSA ID.

    • Keep track of your username, password and FSA ID. You will use the same FSA ID each year you apply for aid. You only need one FSA ID and one FAFSA application even if you are applying to multiple schools. 

     
    October 1 – the FAFSA opens 


    Mid-January to Mid-March

    • You will receive your institutional scholarship award letter in your College of Charleston admit packet. Institutional scholarship awards should be available to view in MyPortal by mid-March.

    • You must be admitted to a degree-seeking program of study to be eligible for federal financial aid. 

    • Review MyPortal for more information and missing requirements. 


    Mid-March

    • First-year students should be notified of federal awards through MyPortal by mid-March. You will need to accept or decline each award not already marked as accepted, then press the submit button at the bottom of the page.

    May 1 

    • The deadline to accept your admission to College of Charleston and pay your deposit is May 1. Your deposit confirms acceptance of the scholarship award. 

    • Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-seeking program may be considered for financial assistance. Undergraduate students admitted as non-degree students are not eligible for federal or state aid. 
  • Transfer Students

    If you're coming to College of Charleston with more than 12 college credit hours, earned at a two-year or four-year institution, you are considered a transfer student.

    October 1 - FAFSA Application Opens 

    • File your FAFSA by Febuary 1 for College of Charleston priority consideration.   

    • If you have already filed a FAFSA at your current institution, you need to request that a copy of the FAFSA be sent to the College of Charleston.

    • Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-seeking program may be considered for financial assistance. Undergraduate students admitted as non-degree students are not eligible for federal or state aid. 

    Accept Your Awards 

    • View and accept your awards in MyPortal.  

    Connect with Your Previous Institution

    • Send a written notice to the financial aid office at your prior school to cancel any scheduled awards for future terms.

    • If you had student loans at your prior school, you need to complete an exit interview on those loans.

    • Contact the financial aid office at your prior school for procedures on exit interviews.

    Late Transfer Credits

    • Your federal financial aid award at the College of Charleston will be based on the academic credits that have been accepted and posted as of the day your financial aid award is made.

    • Late transfer credits may result in higher loan eligibility.

    • You may request a second loan eligibility review once all transfer credits are posted.

    S.C. State Scholarships

    • All transfer students who were legal residents of S.C. when they graduated from high school and who are seeking their first undergraduate degree, must have their high school transcript sent to the Office of Admissions (even though it may not be required for admission purposes) in order to be considered for the HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship programs. 

    • If you are currently a S.C. Palmetto Fellows recipient, you need to call the S.C. Commission on Higher Education at 803.737.2262 or visit the CHE website to request a Palmetto Fellows Transfer Form. 

    Consider Applying for a Transfer Scholarship 

    • The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship honors excellence by supporting outstanding community college students with financial need to transfer to and complete their bachelor’s degree at the nation’s top four-year colleges and universities. 
  • Returning Students

    Outside scholarships 

    • If you were awarded outside scholarships, contact the organization sponsoring that scholarship and ask about the renewal criteria. Complete all steps for renewal. 

    FAFSA application

    • File your FAFSA by Febuary 1 for College of Charleston priority consideration. 

    Satisfactory Academic Progress 

    • You need to review your satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in MyPortal
       
    • Once you have been evaluated for compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for financial aid eligibility and if you are found to be deficient, you will be placed on SAP Suspension and will not be eligible for financial aid funds.

    • You may be eligible to continue your enrollment and pay out of pocket. Under certain conditions, if you have unusual circumstances, you may file a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal (SAPA) for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. Contact the Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs for more information.  

    On or before July 1

    • Returning students should be notified of federal awards through MyPortal by July 1.

  • Families

    Families are an important resource in helping their students navigate the financial aid process. To assist your student in applying for financial aid review the following items.

    Before December 31  

    By December 31 - FAFSA application opens 

    Assist your student 

    • Your student should review MyPortal for more information and missing requirements.

    • Your student should complete verification (if necessary), and any other documents to finish the FAFSA. Document requests can be found in MyPortal under the title "Student Requirements."

    • All verification documents must be submitted before a financial aid award package will be generated.

    • Once your student is notified of federal awards through MyPortal, they will need to accept or decline each award not already marked as accepted, then press the submit button at the bottom of the page.

    • If your family chooses a Parent PLUS loan, you will need to request a Direct PLUS loan. You will need to log in using your FSA ID.

    • If the PLUS loan is approved, please complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note.

    • Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-seeking program may be considered for financial assistance. Undergraduate students admitted as non-degree students are not eligible for federal or state aid. 

MyPortal


MyPortal is the College of Charleston home for getting things done. You can locate and accept financial aid information, pay your tuition, register for classes and even find your grades. While you're at the College, you'll become very familiar with MyPortal.  

Once you've been admitted, you may see your estimated College of Charleston cost of attendance (COA) in MyPortal.

As soon as you log into MyPortal (or download the app):

  • click on the "Financial Aid Dashboard" tile.  
  • confirm you are in the correct award year.  
  • click "Award Offer" tab. 
  • This is also where you will accept or decline any awards.  

For assistance with MyPortal, please visit the IT Knowledge Base.

 

MyPortal