Students apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Clark College Data Sheet. The best way to submit the FAFSA is electronically using the U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA-On-The-Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Financial Aid Office has computers that can be used to submit these applications.

Clark College's Federal School Code, which is needed on the FAFSA, is 003773. Students and parents should request and use a Personal Identification Number (PIN) as their electronic signatures for this process. Pins may be requested at www.pin.ed.gov. Data Sheets are available from the Clark College Financial Aid Office or online at: http://www.clark.edu/admissions_fin_aid/fin_aid/forms.php.

The FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible after January 1st for the academic year that begins in the summer and includes fall, winter, and spring quarters. Applicants should submit Data Sheets to the Clark College Financial Aid Office immediately after submitting the FAFSA, and respond to any requests for additional information (such as signed copies of federal income tax returns) as quickly as possible.

Students who have submitted the FAFSA and provided all required information to the Financial Aid Office by the priority date receive priority consideration for available funding. In addition, applicants who will begin attendance winter quarter must have completed applications on file the first week of October and applicants who will begin attendance spring quarter must have completed applications on file the first week of February to ensure that available funds can be awarded to them before those quarters begin.

Students' financial aid eligibility is determined through a series of standardized calculations known as Federal Methodology. Household size and composition, income, assets, and other data elements are assessed and an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated. The EFC represents the amount that a student's family is deemed to be able to contribute toward his or her education during the academic year. The EFC is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance (COA) that each school uses. The result is the student's need or eligibility for financial assistance for that academic year.

After their financial aid eligibility is determined students will receive award notifications listing the types and amounts of aid awarded per quarter, along with information on their rights and responsibilities as financial aid recipients, the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements that must be met to maintain their eligibility for financial aid, and additional information on how their aid will be disbursed.

• Federal Pell Grant awarded according to a federal formula to eligible students who have not yet earned a Bachelor's degree. Award amounts are determined by the student's EFC and the number of credits in which the student is enrolled each quarter.
  
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) awarded to Federal Pell Grant recipients who demonstrate exceptional need. Funding for this program is extremely limited.
  
• Washington State Need Grant (SNG) awarded to eligible Washington residents based on income criteria established by the State. Eligible students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits per quarter) to qualify.
  
• Tuition Waiver (TW) and Clark College Grant (CCG) awarded to eligible Washington residents enrolled at least half-time (six credits per quarter) and who have exceptional financial need. Funds in both programs are limited. Tuition Waivers cover tuition but not fees, books, or supplies costs. Clark College Grant amounts vary.
  

Clark College offers one of the best-funded community college scholarship programs in Washington. The Clark College Foundation awards scholarships to students in both transfer and professional / technical programs. Applications are available in January from the Financial Aid Office and must be submitted in early April. The Financial Aid Office also has a bulletin board with state and private scholarship information, maintains a list of scholarship web sites, and has numerous scholarship applications available.

Clark College participates in both the Federal Work-Study and State Work-Study programs. Funds in both programs are limited. Students who demonstrate federally defined need are awarded available funds that can be earned by working at jobs either on or off campus. While the offer of a work-study award does not guarantee a job, most eligible students who want to work are able to find employment. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Clark College participates in the Federal Stafford Loan and Federal Parent Loan (PLUS) programs.

Federal Stafford Loans are available up to certain annual maximums to eligible students enrolled at least half-time (six credits per quarter). Borrowers who demonstrate need that has not been met by other aid can borrow subsidized loans that do not accrue interest while the student is enrolled and for a six-month grace period afterward. Borrowers whose need has been met or who do not demonstrate need can borrow unsubsidized loans that begin to accrue interest when they are disbursed.

Federal Parent Loans are available to credit-worthy parents of dependent students. Interest on these loans begins to accrue when the funds are disbursed. Repayment begins 60 days after the last disbursement of the loan for the academic year. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits per quarter) to be eligible to receive proceeds from Federal Parent Loans.

These loans require a separate application. Federal Stafford Loans also require that the borrower successfully complete an on-line or in-person entrance counseling session and, prior to graduating or transferring, an exit counseling session.

For more information about the financial aid process or programs, please feel free to contact us. Our address is:

Clark College

Financial Aid Office MS #18
1933 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA 98663-3598

We can be reached by phone at: (360) 992-2153 (voice) and
(360) 992-2864 (fax)

We can be reached by e-mail to: finaid@clark.edu

Clark College provides opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their educational goals. The College offers accessible, comprehensive education; provides services to support student success; and fosters community partnerships that enhance student learning. The College focuses on professional/ technical training, academic transfer, pre-college and basic skills, personal development, and cultural enrichment.