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Have you completed your FAFSA?

Filling out the FAFSA is important because it determines your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study and scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a new or current college student, you have probably heard the term “FAFSA.” You may have some questions about what it is, how it works and why it’s important in your educational journey. We have answers.

FAFSA an acronym that stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s an online form that you fill out to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid (grants, loans, work-study) and scholarships. Many states and colleges also use the FAFSA to grant state and institutional financial aid, like the Kansas Promise Scholarship.
The FAFSA asks for basic personal, family and financial information which determines your Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. Your EFC is an index number that colleges use to determine the type and amount of financial aid you're eligible to receive.

You will need the following:

  • Tax return information including W2 forms from a previous tax year noted on the FAFSA you’re completing
  • FSA ID
  • Social Security card
  • Driver’s license
  • Dependent students will need to have the same information for their parent(s)
Yes, you need to submit a new FAFSA every year to continue applying for federal student aid. After filling it out the first time, a FAFSA renewal will simplify the process in subsequent years.

Anyone who meets the basic eligibility criteria below can qualify for federal student aid.  You won’t know exact amounts or aid types until you complete the FAFSA. But, you can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate what aid you may be eligible to receive.

Basic eligibility criteria:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Have or be on track for your high school diploma
  • Be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at a Title IV school
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college (if your GPA falls too low, you could lose eligibility)
See full eligibility criteria at StudentAid.gov.
Student and family income is just one of the factors used in determining federal financial aid eligibility. The only way to find out if you qualify is to complete it. Remember, even if you do not qualify for gift aid like the Pell Grant, many schools require the FAFSA results for their institutional scholarships and aid programs.  You do not want to miss out on all the aid you could qualify for!

Once you’ve filed your FAFSA, come see the financial aid office. Employment changes, marital status, or extreme medical expenses are examples of possible special circumstance situations where a change in FAFSA results may be warranted. Financial aid offices are able to work one-on-one with students and families for these special situations.

Yes! Financial aid is available for part-time students, so make sure you complete it.
Grants and scholarships are gifts that don’t have to be repaid. If you receive federal student loans as part of your financial aid package, those do have to be repaid.
Whether you will attend JCCC or another institution next year or remain undecided, we want to help you prepare for scholarship and priority deadlines, so you can maximize your potential eligibility. The FAFSA opens October 1st every year, and many priority deadlines for the following year fall within a couple months after it opens. Let us help you plan your best path forward!

Get FAFSA Assistance Today!

If you need assistance, our dedicated team of Financial Aid experts is here to help. Scheduling an appointment is encouraged:

  • Call 913-469-3840 during regular office hours.
  • Send an email with your name, student ID number (if applicable) and phone number to finaid@jccc.edu. 

Have a quick question? Visit the Financial Aid Zoom Room, available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.