If you want to apply for financial aid, you will need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The website for the application is www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please add Hillsborough Community College’s school code (007870) onto the application. Please allow 7 - 10 working days after the submission of your completed FAFSA application prior to visiting your campus Financial Aid Office.

• Financial Aid documents outstanding – Click onto "My Documents" link
• Financial Aid Awarded – Click onto "Financial by Term"

How do I get the financial aid forms requested by the Financial Aid Office?

• You may pick up the forms at your campus Financial Aid Office; or
• You may access the financial aid forms online by:
• Access the Financial Aid Forms’ webpage, www.hccfl.edu/ssem/financialaid/forms.aspx  
• Select the Academic Year for which you are seeking assistance.
• Review the listing of the FA Forms available and select the requested form for downloading.
• Complete the necessary FA forms and submit to your campus Financial Aid Office.
• You may submit the forms by scanning the document and sending by email to your campus Financial Aid Manager, Financial Aid Counselor, or Financial Aid Technician or deliver in person to the Financial Aid Office. Delivering the forms in person will require you to see a Financial Aid Staff member.

I am applying for financial aid but I do not have the money to pay for the classes before the due date. How can I prevent my classes from being purged?

• Students who completed their FAFSA application and the college received your results, may inquire to the campus Financial Aid Office for a deferment for the payment of classes. You will need to see a Financial Aid Counselor or Manager to determine if you qualify to receive a deferment.
• Students who have not completed their FAFSA Application or do not qualify for a deferment may utilize the college’s TIPS program for the payment of their classes. TIPS is an Interest Free Monthly Tuition Installment Program available to students who can not pay for their classes by the due date. Students may inquire to the campus Bursar’s Office for more information on the TIPS program.

I have a deferment, but do not have money to purchase the books. Is there any assistance available with the purchase of my books?

• Students may inquire to the campus Bookstore for lower priced used books;
• Students may want to rent books if available from the Bookstore;
• Students may check with the campus Library for the availability of books reserved for classes;
• Students who have completed 12 credit hours, have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, and applied for financial aid, may request assistance with the purchase of books from the college’s Dream Keepers Emergency Scholarship program. You may inquire for assistance from this program at your campus Dean of Student Services Office.

I have my Financial Aid Award Notice, what do I need to do next?

• Your Award Notice provides the name of the financial aid program and the amount that you qualified to receive. Review the information noted on the back of the Award Notice.
• The Federal Pell Grant amount is based upon full-time enrollment. If you enroll for less than 12 credit hours, your Pell Grant amount will be reduced accordingly.
• If you are awarded prior to the semesters drop/add date and you have available funds once tuition and fees are paid, you may purchase books at the campus Bookstore. Check with your campus Bookstore to confirm if you have a credit balance on your account to purchase books.
• Once tuition, fees, and books are paid, the remaining balance will be issued to you within 7 days from the drop/add date.
• If your Award Notice is issued after the drop/add date, your refund will be issued to you 14 days from the date the college credits your account.

I am expecting to receive a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship award. What must I do to ensure my classes are paid?

1. Students expecting to receive their Florida Bright Futures scholarship at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) must first have indicated on the State of Florida’s Bright Futures’ website Hillsborough Community College’s school code (292) as their school to attend. You may change your school code on the State of Florida’s website at (www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org).
2. The Financial Aid Office processes deferments for Bright Futures students who indicate HCC’s school code of 292 on the State of Florida’s website. The deferment prevents students from being purged from classes. The District Financial Aid Office forwards notices to Bright Futures students confirming the processing of their deferment.
3. Students receiving the Florida Bright Future’s Scholarship are required to have paid their remaining balance of tuition and fees by the semesters drop/add date unless a deferment has been given.
4. Students will need to pay their remaining balance before the deferment due date.
5. After drop/add date, the Financial Aid Office processes the payment of classes for Bright Futures students.

 How do I apply for a Federal Direct Loan?

1. All students requesting a Federal Direct Loan must first complete the academic year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.FAFSA.ed.gov  
2. You must also complete an Institutional Loan Request Form and submit it to your campus Financial Aid Office.
   You may access the Institutional Loan Request Form from the Financial Aid Forms website www.hccfl.edu/ssem/financialaid/loans.aspx  
3. You must enroll for the minimum of 6 credit hours and maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
4. First time borrowers must wait 30 days from the first day of classes to receive their first loan disbursement.
5. You may cancel the Federal Direct Loan at any time within 14 days from the date the College credits your student account.

What is the purpose of the Financial Aid Priority Awarding Date?

• The Financial Aid priority date is the date the students must have submitted all of the required financial aid documents to ensure the awarding of financial aid funds by the first date of classes.
• The Financial Aid priority due dates are listed in the College Catalog and Course Schedules.

Where can I get more Financial Aid Information?

1. HCC Financial Aid Webpage  
2. HCC Catalog
3. HCC Course Schedules