Applying for Financial Aid (FAFSA)

Click here to apply for financial aid.  Use your 2020 tax information to apply for Spring/Summer 2023 with the 2022-2023 FAFSA.  To apply for Fall 2023 through Spring/Summer 2024, complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA using your 2021 tax information.

Some "free" grant money that you don't have to repay is first-come, first-served.  Apply by April 15th each year for the best chance of receiving work-study and limited grant funds. 

Deadlines for applying: The U.S. Department of Education will process your FAFSA if received before June 30 of the current academic year, but you need to complete your RRCC financial aid file at least 2 weeks before the semester begins in order to have the best chance of being awarded before the payment deadline.  This means you'll need to complete your FAFSA and have it sent to RRCC at least 1 month before classes start, to help ensure you're awarded in time for the payment deadline.

If you have not set up a payment plan, and you don't have enough accepted financial aid on file to cover your tuition and fees balance by the published payment deadline, you will be charged a $40 late fee.  You will NOT be dropped from your classes for non-payment.

The FAFSA for the upcoming school year starting in fall comes out on October 1st each year, so apply online and submit any required documentation to us as soon as possible.

The last day we can accept paperwork to request fall financial aid is December 1. 
The last day we can accept paperwork to request spring financial aid is May 1. 
For summer, the RRCC Financial Aid Office must receive your complete documents by July 15.

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

  1. Create an FSA ID username and password at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
    • You'll need your FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA and to access all Department of Education Federal Student Aid websites.
    • Parents of dependent students must also create their own FSA ID. Click here for the Parent's Guide to Important Financial Aid Information.
    • Your FSA ID will also allow you to check the status of your FAFSA or to make online changes to your FAFSA.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be submitted online here.
    • For priority consideration, RRCC must have received your FAFSA and any additional paperwork by April 15th for the upcoming fall semester. If you miss this priority date, you should still submit a FAFSA as soon as possible.
    • To send your FAFSA to RRCC, use our school code:  009543.
    • Whenever possible, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool option provided in the FAFSA to link your tax information directly to your FAFSA.  This will save you time and simplify the process.  You may report estimated tax and income information on your FAFSA if necessary, and you will be given the opportunity to make corrections after the Department of Education processes your initial application.
    • Sign your FAFSA.
    • Submit the FAFSA, even if you are in the process of applying for admission.
    • If you would like help with the FAFSA, schedule an appointment for FAFSA Assistance using Navigate, call 303-352-TRIO, or email EOC@ccd.edu
  3. Colorado Residents should be sure that they have applied for the College Opportunity Fund Stipend (COF) for an extra $40/credit hour taken off of your tuition bill.
  4. Search and apply for scholarships.  The deadline to apply for 2023-2024 scholarships is March 4th, 2023.

What happens after I apply for financial aid/complete the FAFSA?

  1. RRCC will receive your FAFSA about one week after you submit it online. You may be required to submit additional paperwork to the RRCC Financial Aid Office.  We will email you if any information is missing from your file before we can offer you financial aid. 
  2. Frequently check your email and your financial aid status online by logging into "The Rock" student portal. Check for required paperwork using the Financial Aid Requirements button in The Rock. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or documentation to avoid losing funds. Responding in a timely manner will speed up the processing of your file. If you have applied by the priority dates listed, you should receive notification of your award before your classes start.
  3. The Federal Processor will mail your Student Aid Report (SAR) to you via U.S. mail or electronically, summarizing what you submitted on your FAFSA.
  4. Verify that all the information on the SAR is correct. If you need to make corrections, do so online here.
  5. When submitting documents to the Financial Aid Office, make sure to provide your name, student ID number, and required signatures on all documents. For dependent students, make sure your parents sign tax and verification documents.  You may email most documents to us at rrcc.financialaid@rrcc.edu.
  6. Once we receive and process all documentation, we will notify you of your financial aid award by student email and under the Financial Aid Awards button in "The Rock" student portal.  Processing typically takes about two weeks. Read and accept the Terms and Conditions for receiving financial aid at RRCC so that you can view your offered aid.

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