Financial Aid FAQ
I want to start spring term. What do I need to do?
Complete one of the financial aid applications (FAFSA or WASFA) as soon as you can. The financial aid process may take up to eight weeks.
Submit all the required documentation as soon as you receive notification from the Financial Aid Office. Check your preferred e-mail account regularly and in ctcLink for communicatin from our office. Check or change your preferred e-mail account here: http://www.clark.edu/about/emergencies/rave/update-user.php
Register for classes that applicable to your program of study. Only classes that are applicable toward your program of study will be funded by financial aid. If you are a new student, your award will be packaged when you have registered for your classes.
Students who have completed the FAFSA or WASFA by March 12, have submitted all the required documentation (if applicable), and are registered for classes will receive a Financial Aid Hold (F02) that extends tuition payment deadlines as a courtesy while your file is being processed. If you complete one of the applications after this date, we will do the best we can to place your tuition payment on hold. We recommend that you make payment arrangement.
April 16, 2021: This is Finanical Aid CENSUS Date. Financial Aid reviews and locks enrollment on the tenth day of the term for Pell Grant, Washington College Grant (WCG) and College Bound Scholarships (CBS) recipients. Enrollment changes completed through the tenth day of the term will result in an adjustment of eligibility of funds by increasing awards for eligble credits added or reducing awards to calculate a repayment of funds for credits dropped after disbursement.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete one of the financial aid applications, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
WASFA: https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfaS
When should I apply for financial aid?
What types of financial aid are available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Eligibility for federal grants, federal work-study, and loans are determined by a completed FAFSA.
What is the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)?
If completing a FAFSA, a WASFA does not need to be completed. Eligibility for state aid is determined by a completed WASFA.
For more information, follow the link below:
http://www.readysetgrad.org/wasfa
Who do I contact for help in completing the FAFSA or WASFA?
Please come to the Financial Aid Zoom Room, M-TH, 10AM to 2PM. If you are not able to attend the Zoom Room, please e-mail finaidmail@clark.edu with a subject line: FAFSA or WASFA Help. Someone will reach out to you to arrange a time that works best for you.
How do I view my financial aid information?
Beginning summer term, all financial aid updates and information are viewable in the ctcLink Student Homepage. By clicking the “Tasks” tile a checklist may appear if further actions are required. In the Financial Aid Tile, you will be able to view your offered awards once you are packaged.
Link to Student Homepage:
https://ptprd.ctclink.us/psp/ptprd/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&
Note: For 2019-2020 financial aid students, you must use the Financial Aid Portal.
How will I receive my financial aid disbursements?
Once you have a financial aid award letter and have accepted those awards, active financial aid funds will be applied towards tuition and fee balances first. Any remaining financial aid will be disbursed through BankMobile Disbursements to your selected refund preference.
What is BankMobile Disbursements?
Clark College delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.
For more information, follow the link below:
http://bankmobiledisbursements.com/how-it-works/
Can I receive financial aid when I am part time?
Grant and tuition waiver awards are based on your eligibility at your enrollment level when you are offered your awards.
12 or more units = Full time = 100% full time grant
9-11 Units = 3/4 Time = 75% of full time grant
6-8 Units = 1/2 Time = 50% of full time grant
1-5 Units = Less than 1/2 time = 25% of full time grant
In order to be loan or Work Study eligible students must be enrolled in 6 or more eligible credits.
How do I accept and receive my loans?
Through your Student Homepage, in the Financial Aid tile, you can “accept” or “decline” the offered amounts using the drop down menu. You have the option to “reduce” the loan amounts. Once this process is completed, your loans will be scheduled for disbursement.
For more information on loans, follow the link below:
http://www.clark.edu/enroll/paying-for-college/loans/index.php
How do I accept and receive my Work Study?
Through your Student Homepage, in the Financial Aid tile, you can “accept” or “decline” the offered amounts using the drop down menu. Once this you have accepted your Work Study award you must complete additional steps to secure a job and work to earn the award.
For more information on steps to complete for Work Study, follow the link below:
http://www.clark.edu/enroll/careers/job-search/studentemploymentchecklist.pdf
What if I have received a scholarship and it is not posted yet? Where can I check to see when it will be applied? Do I submit payment, less the scholarship I received, if it is not posted yet?
If you have received a scholarship that has not been posted, it is possible that the scholarship office has not received the funds. You can contact the scholarship office at (360)- 992-2582 to inquire about the status of your scholarship.
To view posted scholarships, log into ctcLink, click student homepage>financial aid>select
aid year 2021>find corresponding term, find scholarship name and amount.
Funds are applied every Monday.
Students are advised to contact the Scholarship Office, if they wish to pay before the expected scholarship is applied, before making any payments.
Clark College Foundation scholarship for winter and spring terms is open now.
Deadline for application is October 26, 2020.
How do I submit a requested document to the Financial Aid Office?
There are multiple options for submitting documents to our office.
- Upload: You have the ability to upload documents electronically through ctcLink.
- Email: You can email documents to finaidmail@clark.edu.
Please be aware that email is not a secure method of transmitting documentation with sensitive information (i.e. SSN) - Dropbox: You can submit documents in the General Dropbox located outside the Bookstore in Gaiser Hall. Please be sure to include your name and ctcLink ID number. Please specify that the documents are for the Financial Aid Department.
- Mail: Address – Financial Aid GHL 101 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663
- Fax: 360-992-2864
How long does the financial aid process takes after I have submitted all my required documentation?
It depends on the volume, but typically, it may take up to 4 weeks for your file to be processed after you have submitted all your required documentation. Please be aware that the process is taking longer than usual, as the Financial Aid Office transitions to a new software system.
How do I contact the Financial Aid Office?
By email: finaidmail@clark.edu
Drop-In Zoom Room:
Mondays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Zoom Room link: https://zoom.us/j/4010737155
Meeting ID: 401 0737 155
How long does it take to get a response to my email from the office?
During this time, due to the high volume of inquiries, and converting to a new system, the response time may take up to 3-4 weeks. The email you sent is in the queue to be answered.
What if my income has changed since I completed FAFSA?
If a change in income or household has occurred after completing the FAFSA/WASFA, our office can re-evaluate your file based on these changes. You can submit a Change of Circumstance Request by contacting our office. However, you must have received an award letter before this process can be started.
I have not received an award notification, yet, should I still sign up for classes?
Yes. If you have submitted all the required documentation and waiting to be awarded, you can request for your tuition payment to be on hold until your financial aid is processed.
When is the scholarship open enrollment for winter and spring terms?
Open enrollment for winter and spring terms is now and the deadline is October 26, 2020. Check out this webpage for more information and to apply: http://www.clark.edu/enroll/paying-for-college/scholarships/index.php
How do I prevent my classes from being dropped for non-payment while I am waiting for my financial aid to be processed?
If you have completed a financial aid application (FAFSA/WASFA) , submitted all the required documentation and are in good standing, your tuition payment will be placed on hold.
Being on a tuition payment hold means you are still responsible for paying the balance you owe the college if after you have been awarded and you still have a balance remaining and/or you do not qualify for any type of financial aid.
If you are on a financial aid hold, you should see your hold in the "tasks" section in self-service with the information regarding this hold. This allows you to attend your courses and not have to worry about tuition notices or drop for non-payment while we work on processing your financial aid.