OBBB Announcement
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
Learn more about expected changes to federal student aid programs with the passage of OBBBA.
Paying for College With Financial Aid
You can apply for a wide range of student aid by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many students enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program use a blend of financial aid such as student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study to fund their education.
It’s essential to understand how the various types of financial assistance differ—for example, some you have to pay back with interest while others are considered a gift.
Use the navigation menu on the left-hand side to access detailed information about each type of student aid. Our financial services staff are also available to help you sort through all the information to make financially responsible decisions.
Getting Started—The Five Steps
To be considered for federal grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
How to Complete Your FAFSA
- Create your Federal Student Aid (FSA ID) account, which you will use to access and electronically sign your FAFSA. If you are required to provide parent information, each required contributor must have their own FSA ID.
- Complete your FAFSA, the application is available for each academic year, so make sure you select the FAFSA for the year you plan to attend college.
- Have your Social Security number and other required information available when completing your FAFSA. If parent information is required, your parent or contributor may also need to provide their information. We strongly recommend providing consent to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) to securely transfer federal tax information to your FAFSA when applicable.
- Add your college to your FAFSA.
Enter the Federal School Code for the Maricopa Community College you plan to attend:- Chandler-Gilbert Community College: 030722
- Estrella Mountain Community College: 031563
- GateWay Community College: 008303
- Glendale Community College: 001076
- Mesa Community College: 001077
- Paradise Valley Community College: 026236
- Phoenix College: 001078
- Rio Salado College: 014483
- Scottsdale Community College: 008304
- South Mountain Community College: 015001
- At the end of the FAFSA, you will use your FSA ID to electronically sign and officially submit the application. Make sure you and any required contributors complete all required sections and provide the required signatures before submitting.
After You Submit Your FAFSA
Complete your admissions application with the Maricopa Community College you plan to attend and make sure your information matches your FAFSA. Visit your college’s campus and website to become familiar with the services, resources, and support available to you.
- Allow 5–7 business days for your FAFSA to be received by the college.
- New students: Attend New Student Orientation (NSO) to learn about your college, available resources, and important steps for getting started.
Need Help Completing Your FAFSA?
Once you have completed your FAFSA and college admissions application, log in to your Student Center or the My Maricopa Student Portal..
Your Student Center is where you can access important information, including your Maricopa student email, To-Do List/Tasks, Financial Aid Forms, and class schedule.
Be sure to check your To-Do List/Tasks regularly for any required financial aid items:
- Log in to your Student Center.
- Select My Student Forms.
- Select Financial Aid Forms to access and complete any required forms.
- Follow the instructions for each required form and submit any requested documentation. *Allow up to 14 business days after submitting a complete form.
- Continue checking your Student Center for updates or additional requirements.
- Monitor your Maricopa student email for important financial aid communications and next steps.
- Check your college’s financial aid web pages for important dates and deadlines.
- Register for courses that apply to your program of study to help maintain your financial aid eligibility.
Please note: Financial Aid Forms are now accessed through the Student Center.
Your financial aid may include a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans. When you receive your financial aid offer, review each type of aid and decide which options are best for you.
- Enrollment intensity: Your financial aid eligibility may vary based on the number of eligible credits you are enrolled in. Enrollment intensity is based on the number of eligible credits you are taking compared with full-time enrollment. Some types of aid, including certain grants and loans, have specific enrollment requirements.
- Student loans: To qualify for federal student loans, you generally must be enrolled in at least half-time eligible credits per semester and meet all other eligibility requirements.
- Grants and scholarships: These types of aid generally do not need to be repaid. Your eligibility and award amount may depend on your enrollment intensity and other eligibility requirements.
You may accept less than the full loan amount offered if you do not need to borrow the full amount.
If your aid eligibility is sufficient, you may opt in to the Book Advance Program and use a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies up to nine days before classes begin.
If your financial aid does not cover your full tuition and fees, consider signing up for a payment plan to pay the remaining balance and help secure your classes. Payment plans allow you to spread your remaining balance into monthly installments.
If you need additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funding, you may request additional funds up to your annual loan limit, if eligible, by completing the Award Revision Request through your Student Center under My Student Forms → Financial Aid Forms.
During the financial aid disbursement process, your eligible grants, loans, and scholarships are applied to your tuition, fees, book advance, and other eligible charges. If there is any financial aid remaining after your charges are covered, the remaining amount will be issued to you using the refund method you select through the Financial Account tile in your Student Center.
To receive your refund as quickly as possible, enroll in the Maricopa Student Refund Program and follow the enrollment instructions.
Refunds are generally processed after the third week of each semester.
Rio Salado College students: Because Rio Salado has different class start dates throughout the semester, refunds are generally processed the following Tuesday through Friday after the drop/add period for each class block begins.
To continue receiving federal financial aid, you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP measures your academic progress by looking at your cumulative GPA, completion rate, and progress toward completing your program within the Maximum Time Frame (MTF).
If you do not meet SAP requirements, you may lose your financial aid eligibility.
- Log in to your Student Center or the My Maricopa Student Portal to review your SAP status. SAP is generally evaluated at the end of each semester. Non-standard sessions are evaluated after grades are posted.
- Monitor your SAP status: You are responsible for understanding and meeting SAP requirements, including your cumulative GPA, completion rate, and Maximum Time Frame.
- Maintain a 2.0+ cumulative GPA: You must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA to meet SAP requirements.
- Maintain your completion rate: You must successfully complete at least two-thirds (66.67%) of your attempted credits. Grades of I, F, N, W, X, Y, and Z, as well as courses without a posted grade, are generally considered attempted but not successfully completed.
- Stay within your Maximum Time Frame (MTF): You must make progress toward completing your program within the required time frame to remain eligible for financial aid.
- Appeal if you have extenuating circumstances: If you lose financial aid eligibility due to circumstances beyond your control, you may be able to submit a SAP Appeal by completing the SAP Appeal through your Student Center under My Student Forms → Financial Aid Forms.
- Regain eligibility: If your SAP Appeal is not approved, you can regain financial aid eligibility by meeting the required SAP standards.
Cost of Attendance
Each year, the Financial Aid Office establishes standard student budgets based on institutional costs and estimated living costs, referred to as a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Your COA is calculated based on several factors, including your enrollment status, residency status, and living situation (with your parents or on your own).
The Financial Aid Office compares your COA to your Student Aid Index (SAI), found on your processed FAFSA form, to determine your financial need. Your SAI is a number representing your estimated level of financial need.
COA - SAI = Financial Need
- The financial aid you receive cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance.
The budgets below reflect typical expense patterns for our students. Some students spend more than the standard amounts, and some spend less, depending on individual circumstances. Eligibility for financial aid, however, is based on the standard budget allowances — not on individual spending habits.
Group 1
(Tuition costs based on students who pay less than $200 per credit hour)
This group includes Maricopa County residents, out-of-county residents, and students in the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program.
| Cost(s) | Living With Parent(s) | Living on Own |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $2,214 | $2,214 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $984 | $984 |
| Food and Housing | $6,624 | $12,240 |
| Transportation | $8,784 | $8,784 |
| Personal | $5,328 | $5,328 |
| Loan Fees | $80 | $80 |
| Total | $24,014 | $29,630 |
Group 2
(Tuition costs based on students who pay more than $200 per credit hour)
This group includes out-of-state residents, out-of-state military, and veterans.
| Cost(s) | Living With Parent(s) | Living on Own |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $3,614 | $3,614 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $984 | $984 |
| Food and Housing | $6,624 | $12,240 |
| Transportation | $8,784 | $8,784 |
| Personal | $5,328 | $5,328 |
| Loan Fees | $80 | $80 |
| Total | $25,414 | $31,030 |
These figures cover the Fall and Spring semesters for students enrolled half-time to full-time, based on a 9-month academic year (two 16-week semesters). A single-semester budget is based on 4.5 months (one 16-week Fall or Spring semester). Students enrolled in modular courses — classes that don't span the full 16 weeks — will receive a prorated budget. Summer budgets will be prorated based on the actual weeks of instruction.
For questions about one semester, summer, or modular courses, please contact your college's Financial Aid Office.
Budget Breakdown
Tuition and Fees
The estimated cost of your classes.
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
An estimated cost for your books, course materials, and equipment required for your program, including a reasonable allowance for renting or purchasing a personal computer.
Transportation
An estimated cost for travel between campus, home, and work.
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
An estimated cost for other personal expenses if you are enrolled at least half-time.
Food and Housing
An estimated cost based on you attending at least half-time, including:
- A standard food allowance that is equivalent to three meals each day.
- A housing allowance for living off campus.
- A reasonable standard allowance for living expenses if you're a dependent student living at home with your parents or guardian.
Loan Fees
A cost for fees and insurance premiums assessed on federal student loans.
Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the yearly application students and prospective students complete to determine their potential Financial Aid eligibility. Your school may have additional requirements you must complete to be eligible for financial aid.
Yes. First get admitted to Maricopa Community Colleges and enrolled in your chosen college. We cannot receive your FAFSA information if you are not in our system. Second, create your FSA ID, which is used to confirm your identity when you complete your FAFSA. Lastly, gather the documents you will need when you complete your FAFSA to make the process easier. If you’re a dependent student, your parents will also need to create an account. So have your them gather the documents they will need to complete the application.
No, completing the FAFSA is free of charge. However, be aware of certain websites that charge a fee to complete the application for you. Make sure you are on the authentic FAFSA website.
Your dependency status is based on 10 questions found in the FAFSA. If it’s been determined that you are a dependent student, you will be required to Provide your Parents’ Information.
Yes, to be eligible for financial aid you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen who meets one of the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. permanent resident with an Alien Registration Card (I-551)
- Be a conditional permanent resident with an I-551C card
- Have an Arrival Departure Record (I-94) from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) with any of the following labels: Refugee, Asylum, Parole, or Cuban-Haitian entrant.
At this time, DACA recipients are not eligible for federal student aid. However, there are private scholarships you may be eligible for.
If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, your parents’ citizenship status will not affect your eligibility for federal student aid. The FAFSA does not ask about your parents’ status. If your parent does not have a Social Security number, you may enter all zeros on the FAFSA where it asks for that information.
You will need to complete a FAFSA annually for the academic year (which starts with the fall term, includes the spring term, and ends after the summer term). The FAFSA may be completed on or after October 1 for the upcoming school year.
As long as you remain an eligible student, you will be considered for Federal Grants, Federal Stafford Student Loans and Federal Work-Study.
- Grants (i.e., Federal Pell Grants, LEAP Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) are considered to be gift aid that does not need to be repaid
- Federal Student Loan (i.e., Federal Stafford Loan and Parent PLUS Loan) do need to be repaid.
- Federal Work Study is a type of financial aid that allows you to work part-time to help pay for college.
Federal Pell Grants are usually only awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor, graduate, or professional degree. (In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Federal Pell Grant). A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Find out why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant.
To be considered for federal financial aid, you must:
- Be past the age of compulsory school attendance in Arizona (over 16 years of age) and not concurrently enrolled in high school, an elementary or secondary school program, or taking college credit to earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a high school diploma or GED (effective July 1, 2013).
- Be a U.S. citizen, national, or eligible permanent resident.
- Be enrolled at a Maricopa Community College and in a degree or certificate program that is eligible for federal aid.
- Not owe a repayment of a federal grant or be in default on a Federal Stafford Loan.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Be registered with Selective Services (males only)
Students with criminal convictions have limited eligibility for federal student aid. However, make sure you understand your status, and don’t assume you can’t get aid.
Financial aid eligibility is based on the income information provided on your FAFSA as well as other factors (such as household size, number of people in college). The FAFSA Processor will determine your family’s Student Aid Index (SAI) using that information. The school then takes the difference between the cost of attendance budget and your SAI to come up with your financial need. Most financial aid will be based on your financial need and SAI; however, some forms of aid, such as merit-based scholarships, and unsubsidized federal loans are not dependent on financial need.
Yes, students who complete the Maximum Time Frame process may be eligible for financial aid; however, it will be limited to student loans due to the fact that students who have obtained a bachelor's degree are automatically ineligible to receive a Pell Grant or State Grants. (There may be special consideration for students in the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program offered at Rio Salado and Scottsdale Community College.
Approximately three months. General eligibility is determined through your complete FAFSA application, which is processed within 3-5 business days. However, once the FAFSA is received by the school, a determination can take a variable amount of time depending on additional documentation required and the time of year.
In your Student Center—under the Task tile—is where you will see any items required to complete your Financial Aid file; if left uncompleted, these items will keep your file from being awarded. Please ensure all items are completed in a timely manner so as to not hinder completion of your file.
If you list multiple Maricopa Community Colleges on your FAFSA, each school will list To-do List items they will need to complete your file. Many times, they will be duplicates because the same documentation is required at each school.
Verification can be completed online through your To-do List in your Student Center. For detailed assistance, including step-by-step guides, visit the Financial Aid Verification support page.
Tax transcripts can be ordered through the IRS website, by mail, or by phone. You will need the tax filer's Social Security Number, date of birth, and address.
The Department of Education and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have an agreement that allows the IRS to transfer your (and your parents', if you are their dependent) tax information into your FAFSA form. Visit the Department of Education's website for more information. You can also view the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Tutorial (YouTube video) online.
You will be considered for a Pell Grant when you take 1 or more hours. For other campus-based grants or for federal student loans, you will need to take 6 or more credit hours.
Financial aid disbursement dates are determined by class start dates; whether you’re a first-time, freshman loan borrower (if receiving student loans); and the type of aid you are receiving. Check your college’s financial aid website for a list of important dates.
Being in default on a federal student loan can have the following serious consequences:
- Your credit score will reflect the default.
- You will not be able to receive additional federal student aid.
- You will not be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs, forbearances, or deferments.
- Collections fees may be added to the amount of your loan.
- Your federal tax refund may be taken and applied to your student loan debt. You may have your wages garnished.
Financial aid may cover tuition, books, and other expenses related to the cost of your education.
If you have funds left over after all tuition, fees, and any other debts have been paid, monies are sent through Maricopa Student Refund Program (MSRP). MSRP gives students options regarding receipt of funds.
Aid is not disbursed until after your classes begin. Your tuition, fees, and book advance (if eligible) will remain as a debt until after the Pell Recalculation date. (Please note for first-time loan borrowers, funds are held for 30 days after the start of the first day of school. Therefore your debt may remain in your Student Center until then).
Students cannot receive federal student aid at two schools for the same semester. However, for students attending a Maricopa Community College and attending another accredited college, we can accept a consortium agreement that will allow us to base your financial aid award on the classes you are taking at both schools.
Yes. If you did not list the specific Maricopa Community College you wish to attend on your FAFSA, you must add its school code (see main Financial Aid page) and submit it. We are unable to view or process eligibility without a valid FAFSA transaction on file. We will receive the information within three to five business days as long as you are officially admitted to the school.
No, awarded financial aid funds cannot be transferred from one school to another. If you plan to change schools mid‐academic year, you must cancel your future disbursements with your current school and then add your new school code to your online FAFSA. Once this is done, you must contact the home school’s Financial Aid Office to create a new award.
You will receive a notice in your student email when your Tuition Payment Statement (1098-T) is available.