Applying for Aid

Filing your FAFSA

Go to the FAFSA website and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is an application used to collect information to determine your eligibility for financial aid rewards. It is the first step in the financial aid process. You use the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans. In addition, most states and colleges use information from the FAFSA to award state aid.

What information will be collected?

The FAFSA has four main sections of required information:

1. General student information (such as your name, date of birth, etc.)
2. Dependency status (Dependent or Independent)
   Am I Dependent or Independent?
3. Information about your parent (if applicable)
4. Information about you, the student (and spouse if applicable)

Additional information collected includes the college you attend and your housing plans.

Your signature is required (as is your parent's if you are dependent). Your signature for the online FAFSA is the Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID).

When can you file your FAFSA?

You can start filing your FAFSA beginning October 1. You have to fill out a FAFSA for every school year. A school year consists of Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

Why use the IRS Data Retrieval on the FAFSA?

• IRS Data Retrieval process will help simplify the verification process, if selected.
• The tool will import accurate tax data quickly to your FAFSA.
• Using this process can reduce errors and documents requested by the DMACC Financial Aid Office.

What is DMACC's Title IV school code?

004589

How long will it take the school to get your FAFSA information?

Your FAFSA will be sent to the colleges you listed when you filled out the FAFSA. It will take about 10-14 days after your FAFSA is submitted before DMACC will be provided access to your application information. When DMACC receives your FAFSA from the Department of Education, we will reach out to you via DMACC email, personal e-mail and text if you provided your cell phone number on your Application for Admission.

FAFSA Help

• You can always reach out to the Financial Aid Office at DMACC for help completing the FAFSA.
• You can also make an appointment with the Iowa College Network (ICAN) to get one-on-one help completing the FAFSA. You can make an appointment right online!

Review & Submit Financial Aid Requirements

Verification is the process the federal government uses to ensure the information you placed on the FAFSA is correct. If you are selected for verification, you must complete the verification process. DMACC will help you through this process by identifying what forms you need to complete, or what documents you need to provide to the Financial Aid Office. If you do not finish the verification process, your financial aid eligibility cannot be calculated.

» More information on our verification process

Accepting Your Award and Financial Aid Terms & Conditions

Can My Financial Aid Award Change?

Yes. Your financial aid award is based on you attending full-time for each term within the academic year (this may include summer, depending on your program of study). If you do not enroll full-time, your award will be adjusted. If at any time, before or during the semester, your enrollment changes – you add or drop a class or withdraw from all your classes – it is very important that you contact the Financial Aid Office. We can help determine if your registration changes have an impact on your financial aid. View here for reasons why your financial aid award may be adjusted.

Accepting Work-Study Award

If you are eligible and have accepted a Work-Study award, and you would like to be considered for a position on campus, don’t forget to apply for a Work-Study job. Your eligibility for college Work-Study will be shown on your award offer.