Admissions / Financial Aid

AIC makes every effort to keep educational costs to students as low as possible. Student fees pay only a portion of the College's operating expenses each year. Supporting districts, churches, interested groups, and hundreds of individuals subsidize the operating budget of the College. This represents a sizable investment in every student's education. While the College depends largely on outside financial support, students must meet some educational costs.

Financial Aid FAQ 

What is  AIC’s FAFSA School Code?

 AIC’s FAFSA School Code is 015550. You can complete your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

How can I contact financial aid?

We are here to help, please contact us at:

Email – financialaid@aicag.edu
Phone – 602-944-3335
Fax – 602-944-1952

What is financial aid?

Financial Aid is money in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, educational tax credits or a benefit from completing community service or military service to help students pay for education after high school.

Who provides financial aid?

A major source of student aid is the U.S. Department of Education. For students who are Native American the Bureau of Indian Affairs and various Tribal agencies offer Tribal Higher Education Grants.  Other public and private sources like clubs and organizations, banks and employers also offer money to help you pay for college.  In addition, AIC makes a major commitment to its students by providing various types of institutional assistance.

How do I get financial aid?

File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — and do it as early as possible. (Jan. 1 is the earliest day you can file the FAFSA for each academic year.) It’s good to file the FAFSA based on a completed tax return. However, it’s far better to file the FAFSA early with estimates than later with exact figures. If you won’t have your taxes done by early February, estimate.

What types of assistance are there?

• Gift Aid is money that doesn't have to be paid back. These come in the form of scholarships, tuition allowances and grants. This is the most desirable type of financial assistance because it does not have to be repaid.
• Self-help Aid is money that is earned or that must be paid back.
• Work-study is money that you earn by working a part-time job while you are in school.
• A loan is money you borrow that must be paid back, usually after you leave school or drop below half-time status. There are student loans and parent loans available to help finance your education. Rarely does gift aid meet the full cost of attending college. Most students rely on part-time employment and loans to pay for school.

What's the difference in merit aid and need-based aid?

Merit aid is based on merit, such as academics, music, etc. A lot of scholarships are merit-based. Need-based aid depends on how much aid you need and how much you and your family can afford to contribute toward your education.

What is financial need?

Financial need is the difference between what it costs to attend school and what the family can reasonably be expected to contribute toward the cost of attendance.

What is included in the cost of attendance?

 College expenses include fixed costs such as tuition, fees, room & board and personal expenses such as books and supplies, transportation, off-campus room & board, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

The Department of Education requires that each college prepare 9- Month Cost of Living Budgets based on average costs of its students living at home with parents, on-campus housing, and off-campus. These Cost of Attendance budgets are adjusted depending on the number of semesters enrolled and the enrollment status (full time, 3/4 time, and 1/2 time).

Your actual fixed expenses for tuition, fees, room & board depend on the tuition pricing plan you choose and whether you live on campus or off campus. Please refer to a current price list of charges to determine what your actual charges will be. Contact the AIC Financial Aid Office if you need help in projecting your costs.

How is the expected family contribution (EFC) calculated?

Your EFC is calculated using a standard Congressional formula. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid collects the information such as family size, number in college, whether you are a dependent or independent or parents, and you and your family's income and assets. This information is used to determine what the family can reasonably be expected to contribute toward your education.

How do I know if I am dependent or independent?

For the 2013-2014 school year, the United States Department of Education determines that you are independent of your parents if:

• You were born before January 1, 1990, or you
• are an orphan;
• are a ward of the court or were until the age of 18;
• are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces;
• have legal dependents other than a spouse;
• will be enrolled in a graduate school in 2013-2014;
• are married; or
• can prove to the school unusual circumstances that show independent status.

Will I get more financial aid if I am “independent” of my parents?

Not necessarily. Sometimes you’ll get less.

Is aid available if I already have a bachelor's degree?

Federal grants are not available once you obtain your first bachelor's degree. Loans and work-study are the main types of aid available to students with bachelor's degrees. Additionally, some students may qualify for Institutional Scholarships

Is aid available to international students?

Federal and state aid is available to citizens and Permanent Resident Aliens but not for students on a Student Visa.

Do I have to be seeking a degree to get financial aid?

Yes, you must be seeking a degree at AIC to receive Financial Aid.

Can I receive aid from two schools at once?

You may be enrolled at two schools simultaneously, but you can receive government aid at only one school at a time. You must apply for aid at the school in which you are actually seeking the degree.

Where can I get more information about financial aid?

There are a lot of great web sites with excellent information.

 

Tips for Getting Money When YOU Need It

• Don’t procrastinate! File for financial aid now! Convince your parents to complete their federal income tax returns early so you can meet the priority deadline.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. For FAFSA questions call 1-800-4-FED-AID or the AIC Financial Aid Office. It’s better to do it right the first time! Errors cause delay of time and money.
• Keep copies of all your paperwork and keep them in a file. Complete your admissions file with high school and/or college transcripts. Loan limits are based on official grade level. Be sure your intended major and grade levels are correct in the Registrar’s Office.
• Explore outside scholarship sources; but think twice before laying down big bucks to a company when you can get the info free on the internet.

Plan Ahead

Become familiar with procedures, priority dates and deadlines.

Apply Early

The best time to file the FAFSA for maximum consideration is between January 1 and early March.

Keep Records

Fill out forms carefully and keep copies for your records.

Respond to Information Requests

Promptly reply to all requests from our office for additional information.

Reply on Time

The financial aid awarded to you has been temporarily reserved for you.  Failure to respond in a timely manner may result in the cancellation of your award.

Reapply Every Year

Financial aid is not automatically renewed. You must file a FAFSA to be considered for financial aid each year. Check renewal requirements on all awards.

Manage Debt Wisely

We recommend that borrowing be limited to necessary educational expenses.

Special Circumstances

If you have special or unusual circumstances that you would like the Office of Financial Aid to consider, contact us.

Determining Financial Need

What is Financial Need?

Financial need is the difference between what it costs to attend a certain school and what the family can reasonably be expected to contribute toward the cost of attendance.

What is Included in the Cost of Attendance?

The Cost of Attendance includes fixed costs such as tuition, fees, room & board and personal expenses such as books and supplies, transportation, off-campus room and board, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

The Department of Education requires that each university prepare 9-month cost of attendance budgets based on average costs of its students living at home with parents, on-campus housing, and off-campus housing.
These cost of attendance budgets are adjusted depending on the number of semesters enrolled and the enrollment status (full time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time and less than 1/2 time).

Living Arrangements	Dorm	Off Campus	With Parents
Tuition (15-18 credits)*	$11,700	$11,700	$11,700
Fees	$200	$200	$200
Books & Supplies	$800	$800	$800
Room & Board	$6,202	$8,840	$3,790
Miscellaneous	$2,900	$3,700	$2,900
Transportation	$1,440	$1,800	$1,400
Total**	$23,242	$27,040	$20,790

$390 per credit (1-14 credits) and/or (each credit over 18)

**Totals are provided for example purposes only.  Actual direct and indirect costs vary depending on enrollment status, selection of classes, living arrangements and personal lifestyle.  Students are encouraged to save and live frugally in order to limit costs as much as possible.

Investigate

What sources of financial aid are available from outside the college? Check with your employer, the public library and on the Web.

Ask Questions

Contact the Financial Aid Office Link to financialaid@aicag.edu with your questions or concerns or by phone at 602-944-3335 extension 223.

Watch for FAFSA Results

Don’t just assume that everything is okay. If you have not received a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Processor within 3 weeks, you need to call the Federal Processor at 1-800-433-3243.

Review Your Student Aid Report (SAR)

Don’t just open the SAR and lay it aside! Read it carefully for any missing or incorrect information. Make online corrections or correct the paper SAR, affix the required signatures and send the SAR to the AIC Financial Aid Office or the Federal Processor for re-processing. If the SAR is correct, you may keep it for your records.

Respond to All Requests for Additional Documents and Information

Examples of things you might be asked to supply are you and your parents’ federal income tax returns and verification worksheets. Other types of documentation that may be required are proof of registration with Selective Service, documentation to clear up discrepancies with your name and social security number, proof of citizenship or Permanent Resident Alien status. No aid offer can be made until your file is complete and correct.

Be Sure You Get Your Mail

If you are not at your home address during the summer (away on some exotic vacation or an overseas missions trip) be sure someone sends you your mail. Better yet, apply for Financial Aid early so that you get your award notification before you go away for the summer.

Watch for an Official Financial Aid Award Letter

Once your file is complete and correct, and you have been accepted for admission, the Financial Aid Office will prepare an Offer of Financial Aid. This document shows grants, scholarships, loans and work-study offered. This will be mailed to you. Review the Award Letter. Total all financial aid you wish to accept and compare your offer to the base cost of AIC to determine what portion of your school bill will be covered.

Accept your Student Loans (if you desire a student loan)

Complete a new Master Promissory Note (MPN): You will need to sign a new MPN with the federal government if you plan to borrow a loan for the 2013-2014 school year. To sign your new MPN for the Direct Loan program, please visit www.studentloans.gov as soon as possible.  You will need the same PIN you used to complete your FAFSA to login to this website.  Once you login, click on the link on the left hand side that says “Complete MPN.”

Complete Entrance Counseling if you are a first time borrower: If you are a first time borrower and have never received a student loan, then you will be required to complete loan Entrance Counseling.  You can complete your Entrance Counseling online at www.studentloans.gov.  Once your FAFSA results are processed, you will receive an Award Letter that details the financial aid that you are eligible to receive.  If you wish to receive student loans, then you are required to officially accept them.   If you wish to receive a loan but for a different amount that you have been awarded, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

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Refunds

In addition to the Federal Return Policy contained in Title IV Regulations, American Indian College has established the following refund policy.

An adjustment to the student's account will be made when a student withdraws from the College with the proper approval. In order to secure proper approval, the student must complete an official withdrawal form at the time (s)he is leaving the College. Withdrawal forms are available at the Registrar's Office. Refunds are not made until the Registrar's Office gives the Business Office a copy of the completed withdrawal from. Refunds are effective as of the date of last attendance.