Applying for Financial Assistance

Application for assistance must be submitted each academic year. Renewal of assistance is not automatic.  All applicants must adhere to the following procedures:

Step 1 - Apply for admission...
Applicants for financial assistance should first apply for admission to the college. No financial assistance can be awarded until a student has been accepted for admission. Students should also take any applicable skills assessment surveys and see an academic advisor to choose an eligible degree or certificate program and complete a Program Planning Sheet.

If you do not have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate, you may be required to take and pass a federally required test to show if you have the ability to benefit from the program you will pursue at the college. Contact the Financial Assistance Department for more detailed information.

Step 2 - Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)...
The FAFSA is used to determine a family's eligibility for financial assistance.  Please list CSM's, Title IV Federal code 002064, in the appropriate box on the FAFSA.  This is a yearly process. You are encouraged to apply online at:  www.fafsa.ed.gov.  

Hard copies of the FAFSA are available by download on the FAFSA website.  If you have difficulties with obtaining the form please contact the FAD office.   Please be aware, however, that completing the FAFSA in this manner will take additional time to process the form.

Step 3 - You should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR)...
The SAR is the result of the FAFSA and indicates your potential eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant and other types of assistance.  Check the SAR for accuracy, and see if CSM's Title IV Federal code is listed on it as a school who will receive your application.   

When the above three steps have been completed and all forms received, the student's application is evaluated.  Students are notified by mail of actions taken.

Important Dates
March 1 is the priority deadline for all types of financial assistance at CSM.  Applications will still be accepted after this date, but applicants meeting the deadline will be considered first.  After the priority deadline, applications are accepted continuously, and awards are made as long as funds are available.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Financial assistance at CSM is awarded without regard to sex, age, race, creed, or handicap. Eligibility for certain programs may be restricted by citizenship status, residency, or enrollment status.

The basic criteria for award selection are financial need, academic record, and/or the special skills or aptitudes of the student. Awards may be adjusted due to changes in funding or the academic status of the student. Also, financial assistance may be discontinued if the student is not making satisfactory academic progress according to the standards of the college