General Questions
Am I eligible for financial aid through Gretna Career College?
As long as you meet the following criteria, you are eligible for financial aid through Gretna Career College:
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You must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the U.S.
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You must have a valid Social Security Number.
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If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, you must be registered with the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov for more information.
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You must have a high school diploma or a General Education Development Certificate (GED), or pass an approved “Ability to Benefit” exam.
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You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a school that participates in the federal student aid programs.
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You cannot have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, loans, or work study). Additional information provided under the
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You must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
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You must demonstrate financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans).
How soon before enrolling should I start the financial aid process?
As soon as you’ve decided that you are committed to furthering your education, begin the financial aid process by requesting your PIN. Within 3 to 4 business days your PIN will be processed and you will be ready to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . For help with filling out the FAFSA, you can go to www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/index.html
Do all of GCC’s programs qualify for financial aid?
Yes! Gretna Career College is approved by the United States Department of Education, and offers several types of Title IV Programs such as Federal Direct Stafford Loans, and Federal Pell Grants. In addition, the college is licensed through the State of Louisiana Board of Regents and adheres to the guidelines of the Louisiana Proprietary School Commission. GCC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), and is approved by the United States Department of Education.
What is GCC’s federal school code?
The federal school code for Gretna Career College is 030951. This number will need to be listed on the FAFSA to ensure that Gretna Career College receives your Application.
My FAFSA form has been processed. What is my EFC?
GCC will award you a financial package to help meet your financial need. Financial Need is the difference between the college’s cost of attendance (including living expenses) and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Based on the information you provided on your FAFSA, the government estimates that your family will be able to contribute a certain amount of money toward your education for that school year.
What is the Student Aid Report (SAR)?
If you provided all required information and signatures, your FAFSA will be processed in 3 – 5 days, and a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to you and the colleges you have listed. The SAR summarizes the data you reported on your FAFSA. You should check your SAR carefully for accuracy and keep a copy for your records. If you need to make any corrections, go to Make Corrections to a Processed FAFSA.
When do I know exactly how much financial aid I will receive?
During your Financial Aid Consultation your financial aid package will be discussed, and you will have the opportunity to accept or decline it. Your FA package is likely to include funds from the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Programs, including Pell Grant, and Federal Stafford Loans, subsidized and unsubsidized.
How and when is my financial aid money disbursed?
Once you accept your Financial Aid Award Package and begin classes, your financial aid award will be applied to your student account at Gretna Career College to cover the cost of the program you have enrolled in. You will receive an award letter which details your aid award types and amounts, which will be disbursed each quarter.
What if financial aid does not cover my full tuition amount?
You are responsible to cover any additional balance on your account.
What happens if I withdraw from the program?
Any changes to a student’s enrollment status may affect financial aid eligibility. Please speak to your Admissions Representative if you feel you may need to withdraw from the program. A Financial Aid Advisor will explain the financial aid ramifications that can occur upon your withdrawal.
According to my FAFSA form, I am considered a dependent student. What does this mean?
Depending on your age and marital status, you may be considered a dependent student and you will need your parent’s personal and financial information when completing the FAFSA. If you have questions about being declared a dependent student, or if your parents are divorced and you’re not sure which parent needs to supply information, please contact the Financial Aid Department. Generally you would supply the information of the parent with whom you are living.
What if I am a dependent student, but my parents refuse to provide their information?
Unfortunately, if your parents are unwilling to provide their information, you will likely be ineligible for federal student aid (except for unsubsidized loans). The Financial Aid Department can speak with you further about your specific situation.
What is verification?
If your FAFSA is selected for verification by either the U.S. Department of Education or by the Financial Aid Department, you will be asked to submit additional documentation to verify that you submitted accurate information on your FAFSA. If you receive federal student aid based on incorrect or fraudulent information, you will have to pay it back. The verification process is a common part of the process.
What happens if my FAFSA is selected for verification?
If selected for verification, you will be required to submit the Verification Worksheet (provided by the Financial Aid Office) and some or all of the following documents:
- 1040 Tax Form: A signed copy of your most recent federal tax filings (and your spouse’s/parents’ if applicable). If you are unable to locate a copy of these documents, you can request free Tax Transcripts from the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
- W2’s: Your most recent W2’s (and spouse’s/parents’ if applicable).
In addition, other documents may be requested:
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Child support benefits
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TANF
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Immigration documentation
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Social Security benefit letters
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Birth Certificate(s)
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Divorce/Separation documentation (must have correct, current name)
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Veteran benefits
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Ward of Court documents
I’m ready to start applying for financial aid, where do I start?
Our Financial Aid Steps will guide you step by step in starting the financial process.
