Most forms of financial aid require you to file a FAFSA®, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The new FAFSA® is released every year on October 1. Even if you haven’t applied to Columbia College Hollywood yet, begin your FAFSA® early.

In order to help you  better prepare for your educational journey here at CCH, the Financial Aid department  would like to provide you with a road map on how to move forward so you are ready on  your first day. Following it is as easy as A-B-C GO!

Step 1: APPLY 

1. Apply for FAFSA at Federal Student Aid (FSA)
   • Use Columbia College Hollywood school code 041697.
   • File both your most recent Federal Tax Return and your parent(s)’ return, if you are “dependent” as defined in the FAFSA.
2. Veterans using benefits, submit DD-214 + Letter of Eligibility

Step 2: BOOK 

1. Schedule an appointment to review the Estimated Award Letter at: cchfinancialaid@columbiacollege.edu
2. Resolve any issues as directed by Financial Aid staff 
3. Submit your applications for CCH scholarship priority consideration. For 2022-2023, there are three scholarships available to new students: the Academic Achievement Scholarship, the Creative Contributor Scholarship, and the Opportunity Grant.

Step 3: COMPLETE 

1. Complete loan entrance counseling at: Entrance Counseling | FSA
2. Complete Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment at: Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment | FSA
3. Complete Master Promissory Note for Student Loans at: Completing a Master Promissory Note | FSA
4. Submit verification documents (if requested) 

Step 4: GAP 

1. Cover your tuition gap by doing one of the following: 
   • Dependent Students:
     • Have your parents apply for PLUS Loan at: Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan | FSA
   • Independent Students:
     • Apply for Private Loan OR
     • Set-up Installment Plan with the CCH Business Office

Step 5: ORIENTATION 

1. Submit any missing documents
2. Sign Final Financial Aid Award Letter
3. To help with budget planning while attending CCH, visit WhichWay.org

You must be accepted to Columbia College – Hollywood in order to get your estimated Financial Aid Award Letter detailing the amount and types of aid you qualify for, including grants, loans, and institutional scholarships.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you don’t have internet access or need assistance filing your FAFSA® online, we encourage you to make an appointment with a Financial Aid Officer by emailing us at cchfinancialaid@columbiacollege.edu

Federal student aid is one of the most common ways our students pay for college. Many factors—such as the size of your family, income, and your year in school—are taken into account.

In order to be eligible to receive federal student aid, applicants must meet the basic eligibility requirements as set by the Department of Education.

To receive most forms of federal financial aid, you must:

• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant
• Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
• Enroll at least half-time (6 credit hours per quarter)

Eligible non-citizen students can get detailed information on non-citizen requirements and required documentation from the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid website.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended (HEA) suspends aid eligibility for students who have been convicted under federal or state law of the sale or possession of drugs if the offense occurred during a period of enrollment for which you are receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and/or work-study).

Even if you have a conviction(s) for these offenses, you should complete the FAFSA®. You may be eligible for other forms of aid that also require a completed FAFSA®, such as scholarships and nonfederal aid from states and private institutions,

To Remain Eligible While You’re Enrolled
To remain eligible while you’re enrolled in college you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by Columbia College Hollywood.

Read the SAP Policy here.

How can I manage my federal student aid application online?StudentAid.gov is a mobile-responsive website, meaning the site’s pages fit the screen size and shape of any device, providing flexibility for accessing the website on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Studentaid.gov allows you to: 

• learn about the financial aid process, loan repayment, and loan forgiveness.
• create an FSA ID (account username and password).
• fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form using Columbia College Hollywood code 014697
• apply for a Direct PLUS Loan.
• sign a Master Promissory Note.
• complete entrance and exit counseling.
• manage your student aid account.
• identify your loan servicer.
• apply for or recertify an income-driven repayment plan.

What Is Verification?
Verification is the process by which a school confirms the accuracy of data entered on a FAFSA® by a student and/or parent. Applicants to be verified are selected by the Department of Education Centralized Processing System (CPS). Not every student will be required to complete verification; however, if selected by CPS to complete verification, the necessary steps must be taken in order for a student’s financial aid package to be finalized.

The college also reserves the right to select any application for verification it believes may contain inaccurate or conflicting information. If selected for verification, the student will be notified via email and informed about documents required to complete verification. Because the initial contact attempts will be sent via email, it is critical that all student email addresses provided to the Financial Aid Department are accurate and current.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all requested verification documents are submitted in a timely manner and with the appropriate signatures. Late verification documents will not be accepted past the published due date.

A Columbia College Hollywood Financial Aid Officer can answer questions about the verification process and required documents.

How do I report financial changes on my FAFSA®?
You must notify the Financial Aid Department in writing if there is an increase or decrease in the household number, number of family members attending college, or other changes to information reported on your FAFSA®. You should also notify the Financial Aid Department if you receive scholarships or awards from outside sources.

What is my Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?
The information you report on your FAFSA® is used to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is calculated by a formula established by law. Your EFC is not the amount of money your family must provide – it is an index that colleges use to determine how much financial aid (grants, loans or work-study) you can receive. If your EFC is below a pre-calculated number as determined by the U.S. Department of Education, you may be eligible for specified federal grants assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Grants are a form of financial aid often called gift aid because they do not require repayment. Grants are generally need-based. In addition to the federal grant programs below, students may research and apply for grant funds from outside private or nonprofit organizations.

Federal Pell Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Unlike a loan, the Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. The amount an individual student may receive is determined by factors including factual information provided on the FAFSA®. A student may receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 150% of the average program length. At Columbia College Hollywood, a BFA student may receive a Federal Pell Grant for 18 academic quarters or the equivalent (roughly six years).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded as a supplement to other sources of financial aid to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Students receiving Federal Pell Grants receive priority in FSEOG awards. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid, but funding is limited and based on institutional availability.

See the website studentaid.gov for more information.

Columbia College Hollywood students may apply for Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and parents of dependent students may apply for Direct PLUS Loans.

Both Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan limits are set according to the student’s college grade level. Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits also take the student’s dependency status into consideration. Generally, independent students will be allowed to borrow more Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds than dependent students.

You can learn more about the Federal Direct Loan program from a Financial Aid Officer or on the Federal Direct Loan webpage at studentaid.gov.

Direct Loans
Columbia College Hollywood participates in the U.S. Department of Education William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program. Unlike grants, Federal Direct Loans must be repaid. The amount a student qualifies for depends on the grade level of current enrollment. To be eligible to receive Direct and Direct PLUS Loans:

• The student must be enrolled at least half-time
• The student or parent borrower must meet the basic eligibility requirements for Federal Student Aid funds.

Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are need-based student loans made available to eligible undergraduate students to help cover the cost of tuition.

• There is no interest charged and no payment due during a 6-month grace period after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment status.
• The amount a student qualifies for depends on the enrolled grade level.
• There is no prepayment penalty.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are non need-based student loans made available to eligible students to help cover the cost of tuition. Loan amounts are determined based on the student’s current enrolled grade level, dependency status, the cost of attendance, and the amount of other financial aid received.

• Interest is charged to the student on disbursed loan amounts during all periods, including the 6-month payment grace period after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment status.
• Unpaid interest will accrue and will be added to the principal amount of the loan.
• The student may make full or interest-only payments while in school and during grace and deferment periods.
• Repayment of the loan principal begins 6 months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment status
• There is no prepayment penalty.

Direct Parent Plus Loans
Direct PLUS Loans are credit-based loans for eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students to cover remaining costs not covered by other financial aid funds. Direct PLUS Loans may also be awarded to graduate or professional students. A parent borrower with an adverse credit history may be prohibited from obtaining a Direct Parent PLUS Loan unless additional criteria are met or arrangements are made for a co-signer.

• The maximum amount a parent borrower can request is the total cost of attendance less other aid received.
• Interest is charged to the borrower beginning on the date the loan is disbursed and accrues during all periods, including during the student’s enrollment.
• The loan enters repayment 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed unless deferment is requested by the borrower.
• There is no prepayment penalty.

Private Student Loans
Private loans are designed to fill the gap after exploring federal student aid options. Unlike federal student loans, private loans are not sponsored or guaranteed by government agencies and may or may not require completion of a federal form to qualify. Private loan eligibility and credit score requirements, interest rates, and terms vary from lender to lender. Lenders may offer private loans to help cover up to 100% of the cost of attendance, less other financial aid received.

Columbia College Hollywood participates in the Federal Work Study (FWS) program, a need-based financial aid program that provides funds for part-time employment to help eligible students finance the cost of a college education.

Work Study students may be employed by the college, a federal, state, or local public agency, a private nonprofit organization, or a private for-profit organization.

The college must use at least 7 percent of its Federal Work Study allocation to support students working in community service jobs, such as:

• reading tutors for preschool age or elementary school children
• mathematics tutors for students enrolled in elementary school through ninth grade
• literacy tutors in a family literacy project performing family literacy activities
• emergency preparedness and response

To apply for Federal Work Study funds, a student must have completed and filed a FAFSA® with the Financial Aid Department. Eligibility is determined based on need, availability of open positions on campus, and institutional availability of funding.

Columbia College Hollywood is committed to cultivating, inspiring, and empowering future storytellers and content creators by offering scholarships to qualified students enrolling in a degree program for the first time.

See more information on Columbia College Hollywood scholarships here.

Columbia College Hollywood encourages students to research and apply for outside scholarships that are applicable to them. The following recommended search engines are a great place to begin:

• Big Future – Scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs totaling nearly $6 billion
• Fast Web – 1.5 million scholarships worth up to $3.4 billion
• Sallie Mae – provides free access to 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion for undergraduate students

Financial aid funds are generally disbursed in three payments, advancing a portion of the total award during three quarters in an academic year. For example, an annual Direct Subsidized loan of $4,500 has three $1,500 disbursements, one in the first few weeks of each academic quarter for three consecutive academic quarters.

All financial aid funds that are disbursed are reflected on the student recipient’s account, including:

• Loan proceeds from federal and private lending institutions
• Funds from federal and institutional scholarships and grants
• Outside scholarships or grants received by the college

Funds are disbursed to the student’s account only when the student’s enrollment is confirmed. Outside awards and loans are disbursed upon receipt of funds. A student who receives funding that exceeds the billed charges will be issued a stipend check for the excess amount. Stipends may be issued in the form of a paper check or via direct deposit by arrangement with the Business Office.

Financial Literacy
Most students come to college with limited experience living on a budget or managing their time and money wisely while on campus and after graduation. The day-to-day demands and costs of attending college can cause some students to get into financial trouble by racking up credit card debts on top of their student loans.

Columbia College Hollywood is committed to providing students with the financial literacy and tools they need to achieve their educational and post-graduation goals by offering free access to the WhichWay® financial education app online at whichway.org.

School access codes and instructions are available in the Financial Aid Department. Students who are not receiving Federal Financial Aid are not required to complete the lessons, however, it is highly recommended that all students complete financial literacy training. In addition to the WhichWay® online financial education modules, the Financial Aid Department also assists students with financial literacy via in-person counseling sessions.

Entrance Counseling
Prior to the first disbursement of funds, all Direct Loan borrowers must complete a Financial Aid appointment with a Financial Aid Officer and attend an online Direct Loan Entrance Counseling session at www.studentaid.gov.

During the entrance interview, the following information will be discussed: loan limits; loan repayment and consolidation; obligation to repay the loan with all accrued interest and deducted fees; maximum repayment period; repayment schedule; minimum monthly payment; grace period; obligation to inform the lender within ten days about any changes in the borrower’s name, address, telephone number, graduation date, withdrawal from the college, or enrollment for less than halftime; postponement of the loan payments (deferment); postponement of the loan payments (forbearance); and failure to repay the loan (default) and its consequences.

Exit Counseling
All student loan borrowers are required to complete Exit Counseling online at studentloans.gov regarding their student loans. Students must complete Exit Counseling when they graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or are withdrawn/dismissed from Columbia College Hollywood. Exit Counseling provides information regarding the rights and responsibilities of the student borrower.

It is important that students who have borrowed student loan funds know what to do if there are problems with making student loan payments and what will happen if payments are not made.
Specific elements that will be included in the Exit Counseling are as follows:

• The terms and conditions of the loan
• An example of actual monthly payments
• Available repayment plans
• Deferment and forbearance options
• Loan forgiveness and cancellation provisions
• The ability to accelerate repayment without a prepayment penalty
• The pros and cons of consolidation, such as the impact on minimum monthly payments, loan terms, and loan benefits (e.g., the loss of the grace period and forgiveness options)
• The consequences of default, including ruined credit, litigation, referral to collection agency, wage garnishment, offset of income tax refunds, deduction of collection charges of up to 25% from payments, nonrenewal of professional licenses, and the loss of deferment and forbearance options
• Availability of tax benefits, such as the student loan interest deduction

The following information will be collected during Exit Counseling: name, address, Social Security number, references, driver’s license number and state, expected permanent address, and name and address of next of kin.

Understanding the payment options, interest rates, and other terms of student loans will allow students to maintain their loans in good standing for future credit purposes. Student borrowers can complete required Exit Counseling at studentaid.gov.