2024-2025 FAFSA Update

It's not too late to complete your FAFSA

Update 9/4/24: Complete Your FAFSA: For students who are waiting for a financial aid package, please submit requested items to enable us to complete your financial aid package. To track your status, Log into CougarWeb and review your Financial Aid Checklist for next steps. If you have already submitted requested documents, please allow up to 7-10 business days for processing. Continue to watch your Columbus State email (Log in to CState Email) for communications from CState’s Financial Aid Office.

No issues? Your Financial Aid package may be ready. For all students who completed their 2024-25 FAFSA by the July priority deadline, and had no issues with their application, aid packages are complete and Financial Aid Notifications have been sent. To track your status, Log into CougarWeb and review your Financial Aid Checklist.

Below is a guide to help you determine next steps based on your current FAFSA status:

Despite significant delays stemming from the federal government’s overhaul of its student aid processes, including simplification of the FAFSA form, Columbus State’s Financial Aid Office began notifying students whose FAFSAs were complete about their aid offers in late June. We will continue issuing notifications as we complete aid packages, so it’s important to know your FAFSA status and watch your Columbus State email for communications from CState’s Financial Aid Office.

What is Your FAFSA Status?

My FAFSA is Complete. No corrections are needed:

You’ve completed your 2024 FAFSA and entered Columbus State’s school code (006867). Next steps:

Review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) to see your preliminary federal aid eligibility. You received your FSS upon completing your FAFSA. We are preparing financial aid packages daily and will notify you through your CState student email when your aid package is ready for review.
If you’re a new Columbus State student, be sure to complete your admissions application, select your academic program of choice, complete placement, attend Orientation, and register for your classes. The semester begins Aug. 26. Call us if you have any questions at 614-287-5353.

My FAFSA is complete but there are issues that must be resolved:

Review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) to confirm your next steps. If the college must confirm the information you entered on your FAFSA, or if there is conflicting information on your aid application and your student records, processing your FAFSA will be delayed due to technical challenges with Federal Student Aid systems.

Please watch your CState email for financial aid alerts and submit requested documents as soon as possible. Don’t put it off.
Don’t let the delays keep you from choosing your academic program and registering for your classes. You have until Aug. 21 to pay tuition, which is plenty of time for your financial aid to be packaged once you submit the required documentation.
The Financial Aid Office will process your aid once all required documents are submitted. We can help you keep your registration on track while your aid is being processed.
Have questions? You can contact us at finaid@cscc.edu or 614-287-5353, visit Student Central, or chat live with a specialist online at cscc.edu/financialaid.

FAFSA? I’ve not yet completed my application:

It’s not too late to file your FAFSA. Don’t leave money for college on the table. Most students are eligible for some form of federal student aid. Don’t delay; complete your FAFSA today!

Visit www.studentaid.gov to begin your application.
Include Columbus State’s school code (006867) to allow us to receive your FAFSA data to complete your financial aid package.
It’s not too late! You have time to choose your academic program and register for classes. The semester begins Aug. 26.
Need help? Contact us at finaid@cscc.edu or 614-287-5353, visit Student Central, or chat live with a specialist online at cscc.edu/financialaid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When should I expect to receive my financial aid package from Columbus State?

We expect to notify students of their financial aid offers starting in June. After a substantial delay, we’re now receiving the FAFSA student records we need from the federal government to process and package our students’ aid. Now, we can test our system and make required updates to ensure our financial aid packages are accurate. Testing is nearly complete, and we expect to begin packaging and notifying students about their financial aid offers in June. This is later than normal, but still in plenty of time for Autumn Semester registration.

Should I register for Autumn Semester if I’m still waiting for my financial aid?

Yes! Even if your financial aid for Autumn hasn’t been confirmed, you should still register now.

There is no risk to registering now because you can make changes later. There is a risk to registering late: You may not get the classes you want.
You can register now and pay later. Key dates to keep in mind when paying tuition and fees are:
- Aug. 21 – the deadline for paying tuition and fees for Autumn Semester. Pay by this date to avoid being dropped from your classes for nonpayment before registration closes. If you can't pay by this date, you can enter into a payment plan with the college.
- Sept. 5 – the last day to drop your classes for a full refund.

What if tuition is due before I receive my financial aid?

When paying tuition, remember you have options. You can arrange with the college to pay tuition and fees in full, in part, over time after the deadline, or to defer payment (for a fee) later in the term. Know your payment options:

I haven’t filed my 2024-2025 FAFSA yet. Is it too late?

No, it’s not too late to file your 2024-2025 FAFSA. July 31 is the preferred date by which you should file your FAFSA at Columbus State to ensure we have time to process and package your aid offer. You can still submit your application after July 31. There’s just no guarantee you’ll receive your financial aid offer for Autumn 2024 before the start of classes.

How can I get help?

We’re committed to helping you navigate the FAFSA so you can get the financial aid you’re eligible for and develop a plan to graduate debt-free. There are also lots of helpful video resources on FinancialAidTV. You can contact us at finaid@cscc.edu or 614-287-5353, visit Student Central, or chat live with a specialist online at cscc.edu/financialaid.