Apply for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Changes for July 6
Some important changes in financial aid take effect Autumn Semester 2026. These start July 6:
- Estimated Financial Aid: After July 6, estimated aid for the upcoming semester defaults to your actual enrolled credit hours.
- Grant Deadline: Students must register by July 6 to keep their Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.
As always, file your financial aid soon to avoid delays. More about the changes
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your key to a variety of student aid programs. When you complete the FAFSA, it helps the college to determine your eligibility for federal and state grants, scholarships, federal work study, and federal student loans.
In a nutshell: You'll log in to FAFSA.gov, create an account, enter all requested information, and be sure to sign and submit your application. If you are a dependent student, one of your parents will need to complete the parent section and sign the application. Once you complete the FAFSA, your information will be sent to CSCC for packaging of aid.
As of July 6, your financial aid eligibility appears in Workday Student – where you register for classes and access other routine ways of interacting with Columbus State as a student.
If you have not registered for classes by July 6, your Autumn financial aid will appear as $0. This does not mean you have no financial aid. Your financial aid will update after you register for your course schedule based on the number of credit hours you have selected.
It is important to remember, your aid is calculated based on your course registrations. If or when you make changes to your schedule – and you should, based on what works best for you – your aid will recalculate in Workday. This can take a business day or more to update. Please be patient and allow for a couple of business days to see your updated total.
Questions about these changes and other financial aid updates? Click here to learn more.
Check out cscc.edu/fallforward for more helpful information about navigating Autumn semester.
Need help outside of Workday how-tos? Check out our Financial Aid Help & FAQs for frequently asked questions. Assistance with the FAFSA is available in Student Central in Madison Hall during our hours of operation.
Before You Start:
- Columbus State's FAFSA School Code is 006867
Guide to Filling Out the FAFSA Form
FEDERAL DEADLINE FOR FILING THE 2026-27 FAFSA
The 2026-27 FAFSA must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2027. Any required corrections and updates to the application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on September 12, 2027 for consideration for the 2026-27 award year.
2026-27 School Year
Autumn 2026 | Spring 2027 |Summer 2027
- Complete the 2026-27 FAFSA
- Use 2024 income information
Deadlines
- 2026-27 FAFSA Priority Filing Deadline for Autumn 2026 is July 17, 2026.
- 2026-27 Verification Priority Deadline for Autumn 2026 is July 31, 2026.
Application Steps
Specific, step-by-step instructions are available online at FAFSA.gov's Filling Out the FAFSA Form webpage. In general, follow these few steps:
- The FAFSA involves filling in your household income information and then seeing what you qualify for. Make sure you have all documents on hand.
- Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password. Create an FSA ID now
- To ensure Columbus State receives your FAFSA information, include our school code, 006867, in the ‘School Section’ of the FAFSA.
- Make sure you complete the correct academic year and take your time. Mistakes made on the FAFSA can reduce the amount of financial aid you receive and delay the process.
Once you have completed the FAFSA and have been admitted to Columbus State, the next step is to ensure that your financial aid application is complete.
In some cases you may have to provide additional information on the FAFSA or submit documentation to Columbus State - be sure to check both your student and personal email frequently. Respond to any requests for additional information quickly!
- Messages from FAFSA.gov are viewed within FAFSA.gov - be sure to log in often to check for updates.
- Messages from Columbus State will come to your Columbus State email.
