Apply for Federal Financial Aid

Apply for Federal Financial Aid at: www.fafsa.ed.gov
GBC School Code: 006977

Get Started

Step 1

Student/Parent must create a FSA ID Username and Password at: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm

All students and parents completing a FAFSA will be required to apply for a FSA ID Username and Password.

Very important: Ensure that you input your name as it appears on your social security card to avoid citizenship issues.

If a student is dependent, both the student AND the parent must apply for a FSA ID username and password to sign the FAFSA.

FSA ID (electronic signature) for student’s/parent’s will be used every year to apply for federal student aid. Student and/or Parent will be able review and correct information on the Student Aid Report (SAR) online. Access the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS) to review financial aid and student loans information.

This FSA ID will also be used to apply for a federal student/parent loans to electronically sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

• Parents will only need one FSA ID to sign the FAFSA. If parents have multiple dependent children, parents can use the same FSA ID for each child’s FAFSA.
• Keep your FSA ID in a safe place and never give your FSA ID number to anyone. Never give your FSA ID number to commercial services that offer to help you complete a FAFSA. You can instantly establish a FSA ID.

If there is a problem with your personal information that you provided when applying for a FSA ID, it will take one to three business days to be verified. The Department of Education will notify you by email. Make sure you provide a valid email address.

If you don’t have an email address the Department of Education will mail a FSA ID within 7 to 10 days.

If you have instantly established a FSA ID Username and Password, there is no need to wait for verification from the Department of Education.

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Step 2

Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Watch a 7 minute video. It will open in a new browser tab or window.

In completing the FAFSA, you will be asked for GBC’s Federal School Code: 006977.

Several Federal Student Aid Programs become available after you complete the FAFSA application:

• Grants: Student aid funds that do have to be repaid. You must comply with the GBC Academic Standards Requirements after each semester, which you need to be sure that you understand. If you have any questions, please call the GBC Student Financial Services Office at 775.753.2399.
• Work-Study: A part-time work program to earn money while you are in school.
• Student Loans: Student aid funds that you must repay with interest. There are two types of federal student loans:
  • Federal Direct Student Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized
  • Federal Direct Parent Loans: A credit check will be performed.

Apply Early!

Apply Early starting: October 1st of every year.
2017-18 FAFSA covers: Fall 2017/Spring 2018/Summer 2018
Base year Federal Tax Returns: 2015

2018-19 FAFSA covers: Fall 2018/Spring 2019/Summer 2019
Base year Federal Tax Returns: 2016

Wait for Processing

FAFSA Online: once you submit your FAFSA online, it will take approximately 5 business days (about a week) for the U.S. Department of Education to send the results to the GBC Student Financial Services Office.

After you submit the FAFSA online, the confirmation page indicates that you may be eligible for a grant. The final determination is up to the college and is based on supporting documentation provided by you.

Watch video.

What's Next

The GBC Student Financial Services Office will:

1. Notify you by email when our office has received your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) results. Approximately 3 to 5 business days after you submit online.
2. You will receive another email “GBC Missing Information Letter” with a “To Do List”. This email requires student/parent to turn in additional paperwork and/or federal tax information.

Note: If your FAFSA has been selected for a review process called verification, GBC SFSO has the authority to request copies of financial tax documents from you (and your spouse or parents).

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Step 3

Log into your MyGBC Student Self Service Center to check for Missing Documents.

• Click to enter the “MyGBC Self Service Center” button.
• Sign on with User ID and Password. Can’t log In. See instructions.
• Click on “Student Center”.
• Find the “To Do List” you will see a list of forms required. Click on “More” or “Blue Links”. This will give detailed information of what is required.
• All financial aid forms are located at the financial aid web page under
  “Forms Directory”.
• Submit “Missing Documents” on or before deadlines to ensure that you have a Financial Aid Award Notice for the 2017-18 academic year:
  • Deadline for Fall Semester: July 1, 2017
  • Deadline for Spring Semester: December 1, 2017

However, you can still turn in your Missing Documents after the deadlines, but this does not guarantee that you will have an Award Letter and/or funds before each semester begins.

Every effort will be made to expedite the financial aid process for you, but those applicants that had their paperwork submitted by the deadlines will take precedents.

Do Not Procrastinate!

At most times of the year, the Student Financial Services office requires up to 10 business days (two weeks) to review your documentation and make the final determination about your financial aid. However, during peak times of year (August and January), this process can take four to six weeks.

Set up Payment: Financial Aid recipients are required to set up a payment plan. Otherwise, you risk being dis-enrolled or accessed late fees. Reminder emails and instructions will be sent from the GBC Controller’s Office “Fees Due Soon”.

Late Applicants: Important
If you applied late, you will need to sign up for a Payment Plan at the MyGBC Student Self Service Center to help avoid late fees and prevent dis-enrollment.

Very late applicants for financial aid may incur some late charges before processing is complete.

If this is the case, you will incur a personal financial obligation by enrolling in college.

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Step 4

Log in to theMyGBC Student Self Service Center to preview your Award Letter.

1. Students will receive an email “Financial Aid Award Notice”
• Read the Important Instructions on your Award Letter.
2. You can also preview your Award letter in your MyGBC Self-Service Center:

• Click to enter the “MyGBC Self Service Center” button.
• Sign on with User ID and Password. Can’t Log In. See instructions.
• Click the Student Center button. Then click Go to Communications Center in the box at right. Your offer letter will be titled Financial Aid Award Notice. To view it, click the View/Download Link. Read the letter carefully.
• Your Offer Letter may include an offer for:
  • A Pell or state grants, and scholarships that do not have to be repaid. Federal SAP standards apply.
  • Student Loans require a separate process.

Things You Should Know

Grant Offer:

If you are offered a grant, it is accepted for you automatically. Your financial aid application will be complete when you:

1. Enroll in a minimum of 6 (six) eligible credits (remedial classes below the 095 level are not ineligible). This includes short-term and late starting classes.
2. Census dates: The GBC SFSO can only pay for courses enrolled in by these dates:
   1. Fall term is: September 3, 2017
   2. Spring Term is: January 28, 2018
3. Online Classes: If all of your classes are 100% online, expect delays in receiving Pell funds. Progress Reports will be required if students live out of state or out the GBC Service Areas, and have never taken classes at GBC. There will be a 10 delay.
4. Read the GBC Academic Standards Requirements so that you sustain your financial aid and avoid the necessity of repaying the Pell Grant and/or student loan funds. The academic standards apply for all periods of enrollment at GBC, regardless of whether or not aid was received.
5. Familiarize yourself with the GBC Financial Aid Handbook. This book has detailed information about financial aid.

Scholarship Awards:

6. Enroll in a minimum of 6 (six) eligible credits (This includes short-term and late starting classes). Every GBC or outside scholarship has different eligibility criterions. Preview Scholarship Letter in your MyGBC Self-Service Center for criterions. Under “Communication” find e-mail named “Scholarship Notification”.
7. Millennium Scholarship has separate requirements.
8. Nevada State Gear Up has separate requirements.

LOAN OFFER: Requires a separate Process. Read your Award Letter for instructions. Click on Apply for a Student Loan on the Financial Aid website menu.

You must decide whether or not to incur a student loan debt. If so, you can decide whether to borrow the whole amount offered or a lesser amount. Because a student loan is a financial obligation to repay with interest, this decision must be made carefully. Before accepting a loan, GBC recommends that you complete the Entrance Counseling.

If you do not see an Offer Letter after waiting an appropriate amount of time, then please contact the GBC Student Financial Services Office at (775) 753-2399.

Progress Reports

Submit Progress Reports

Every instructor gives a syllabus at the beginning of each semester with their contact information that will include their e-mail addresses.

Students must e-mail each one of their instructors requesting a progress report to be sent directly to the financial aid office. The progress reports must come directly from each instructor’s e-mail account to the GBC Financial Aid Office at financial-aid@gbcnv.edu. No exceptions.

Progress Reports will be required before funds can be disbursed if a student is:

• A first-time student, first-time student loan borrower. 30-day delay.
• Pell Grant- 100% online classes, first-time student GBC, and does not reside in the GBC Service Area. 10 day delay.
• 100% online classes and lives out of GBC Service Areas, with a student loan debt. 10-day delay.
• Spring semester student loans are disbursed in 2 installments. Progress report may be required for 1st disbursement and mandatory for the 2nd disbursement. The 30-day wait applies if a first-time student, first-time borrower at GBC.
• Required for students requesting loan funds AFTER October 1st/Fall term and/or March 1st/Spring term prior to the disbursal of any loan funding.
• Required for students requesting additional loan funds AFTER October 1st/Fall term and/or March 1st/Spring term prior to the disbursal of any loan funding.
  

Students whose financial aid applications are not complete prior to mid-term of any semester during an academic year will be required to submit a Progress Report with evidence of *satisfactory performance prior to the disbursal of any funding.

More Things You Should Know

• Direct Deposit is available to receive your refund faster and easier! Set up in your MyGBC Self- Service Center.
• Progress Reports may be required. Expect delays in receiving financial aid.
• Financial Aid Disbursement Dates: The anticipated disbursement date on your Student Center is not the actual date that you will receive your refund. This is an internal date (10 days before classes start) that SFSO can start disbursing the Pell Grant to pay for students classes.
• Financial aid refunds are the Friday’s before each semester begins in August and January. During the semester, the refund dates will vary.
• Official Academics Transcripts required for Unusual Enrollment by Department of Education.

  Under the discretion of the GBC Financial Aid Office, official academic transcripts may be required by the GBC from each school listed on the National Student Loans Database System (NSLDS) school history, if they are a transfer student with a loan debt over $15,000, and no degree. Also, official academic transcripts may be required at GBC’s discretion for students selected for Unusual Enrollment History either by the Department of Education or by GBC.

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For More Information Contact

Student Financial Services
Berg Hall
Great Basin College
Phone: 775-753-2399

Why Great Basin College

Great Basin College wants to be your choice for higher education. GBC offers associate and baccalaureate level instruction in career and technical education and academic areas. About 3,800 students are enrolled online from across the country and on campuses and centers across 86,500 square miles, two time zones, and ten of Nevada’s largest counties. We border Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and California. We are GBC!