To apply for Federal and State financial aid you must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are a variety of ways you can complete the FAFSA:
Go to FAFSA on the Web to file your English FAFSA online (or for Spanish FAFSA en Español and
click on Espanol). It's safe and it's fast!
Traditional Paper FAFSAs are available by calling 1-800-4-FEDAID.
FAFSA Instructions are available on-line or by contacting the Financial Aid Office at IVCC at (815)
224-0438.
When you complete the FAFSA you will be asked to specify the college(s) you are considering.
The easiest way to identify these colleges on the FAFSA is by using the school's Federal
School Code.
The Code for IVCC is: 001705.
If you have questions about the status of your FAFSA, or if you have technical questions
about submitting your FAFSA using FAFSA on the Web call 1-800-433-3243 (1-800-4-FEDAID).
Once your FAFSA is processed the results are sent to you in a Student Aid Report.
This will take about three to four weeks (sooner if you use FAFSA on the Web). The same results go to each school you identified on your FAFSA.
The IVCC Financial Aid Office will review your application data when it arrives and
determine your eligibility for assistance. Once this review is complete you will
receive a Financial Aid Award Notification detailing all aid you are eligible to receive. If your file is selected for verification the
Financial Aid Office may need additional information from you before you receive an
award notification.
Note: Your FAFSA does not guarantee that you will receive financial assistance. You are
responsible for the payment of tuition, fees, books, and supplies if, for any reason,
your financial aid is delayed or denied.
We strongly recommend you start the process as early as possible after October 1 as
it may take up to two to three months to complete.
IVCC’s Financial Aid Office recommends that students complete the FAFSA within the first 8-weeks of the Financial Aid application cycle. The financial aid
application cycle lasts 18 months. If you cease enrollment before you complete the
application you will not be eligible for assistance. (See chart below for Financial
Aid application cycles.)
Applications are processed in the order received.
If the FAFSA has not been received at least six weeks prior to the payment due date, you may need to make payment arrangements with the Cashier’s Office prior to the payment due date.
Once your FAFSA results have been received by the IVCC Financial Aid Office, you will
be notified by mail if any additional documents are needed to complete your application.
It is best to apply as soon as possible after October 1st at the start of the application
cycle.
NOTE: Be sure you have applied to the college. If you have not yet done so, contact the
Admissions Office at (815) 224-0439.
In some cases a financial aid application may not reflect a student’s or family’s
current financial situation. In some cases a family faces Special Circumstances (e.g.,
lost or reduced income, death, divorce, illness, natural disaster, etc.) which may
increase a student's eligibility for financial aid.
A Special Circumstances Form is used by the Financial Aid Office to report unusual
situations faced by applicants and/or their families. Special Circumstances reviews
are conducted on a case-by-case basis.
If you have a situation about which you are uncertain, or if you have any questions
regarding Special Circumstances, contact us to discuss the matter.
Apply early! File the FAFSA as soon as possible for the approaching school year. For
the 2020-21 school year, apply as soon as you can after October 1, 2019.
Complete forms carefully. Read all instructions before you begin. Use your name and
social security number as they appear on your social security card. Provide all information
requested.
Keep a separate financial aid file. Photocopy the forms, correspondence, and other
information you submit to the Financial Aid Office. Record the dates you submit information
and the name of any person with whom you speak.
You must re-apply every year. Your financial aid is not renewed automatically, however
you may get an e-mail reminder from FAFSA on the Web.
If you change schools, your aid doesn't transfer. Check with your new school to
find out what steps you must take to continue receiving aid.
