Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for financial aid?

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Renewal FAFSA and return it to the federal processor as soon as possible AFTER January 1. Be sure to submit your FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA to the federal processor in time for them to process it (about four weeks) and transmit the results to us by our priority deadline of May 1. You may prefer to apply online by using FAFSA on the Web at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. We strongly encourage this method of applying since it is faster and generally more accurate because the online version has built-in edits. Apply for financial aid at the same time, or even before, you apply for admission

What is the Title IV School Code for ABAC?

001541. This number must be used when completing the FAFSA in order for ABAC to receive your financial aid application.

When should I apply?

ABAC has a financial aid awarding deadline for each term. Please refer to the Deadlines page for additional information.

Do I need to reapply each year?

Yes. Each year you must file either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the Renewal FAFSA if you receive one from the federal processor, for the appropriate academic year and submit the documents that are requested. You must also maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to qualify for aid each year.

Can the College estimate if I am eligible?

ABAC cannot determine the amount of students' awards until the results of their FAFSAs/Renewal FAFSAs have been received from the federal processor. Your eligibility is determined by the federal processor from information you and your family supply on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA. The federal processor determines your "Expected Family Contribution" according to a formula supplied by the U.S. Congress and then forwards this information to the College. Only then can the College begin to determine the amounts of students' awards. The Office of Financial Aid begins to mail out the first student awards in March or April, so the best way to find out for how much you will qualify is to fill out the FAFSA early to get the process started.

How do I apply for scholarships at ABAC?

In January of each year, applications for the ABAC Foundation Scholarships are available in the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The deadline date for submission is March 1. A listing of the available scholarships and scholarship requirements can be found in the ABAC catalog.

Why do I need to complete a verification worksheet and submit a copy of my federal Income Tax Returns?

Each year, the Federal Processor selects 30% of the financial aid applicants to a particular school for a process called verification. The school must verify the information that the student provided on his or her FAFSA. These documents are required to verify that information.

How do I know if my financial aid application has been processed and approved?

Once your financial aid file is complete, you will receive an award notification letter. This letter will detail each financial aid award and the amount you will receive for each semester.

Can a veteran receive both VA Benefits and federal/state financial aid?

It is possible, but veterans’ benefits can greatly impact the amount of financial aid a student can receive.

How do I apply for HOPE?

A student must either complete a FAFSA or a HOPE Alternate Application and the ABAC Institutional Application for Financial Aid. If a student completes the HOPE Alternate Application, he or she is eligible for HOPE only.

Do I have to be full-time to receive HOPE?

There are not a minimum or maximum number of enrollment hours for a student to receive HOPE. A student will be paid HOPE according to the number of enrollment hours.

How many hours must I take to be classified as a full time student for financial aid?

12 hours or more is required for full-time status.

How do I apply for a student loan?

Applications for student loans are available in the Office of Financial Aid.

How many hours must I take to receive my student loan money?

6 hours or more is required for a student to receive loan funds.

How can I get a job on-campus?

First, check with the Job Placement Office to see if any on-campus jobs are available. If jobs are available, check to see if the job is a Federal Work- Study job. If so, check with the Office of Financial Aid to see if you are eligible for work- study funds.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Satisfactory academic progress is a set of federal, state and institutional guidelines for students receiving financial assistance. If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress, s/he will be placed on warning or suspension status.

Can I appeal if I am suspended from financial aid for failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress?

Students who feel they have extenuating circumstances that have contributed to their failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may petition according to the guidelines established in ABAC Standards of Academic Progress Policy. This policy can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid. It is also outlined in the ABAC Catalog.

What happens to my financial aid status if I withdraw from school?

Students who withdraw from school while on financial aid will no longer be eligible for financial aid. Depending upon when you withdraw from school, you may be required to repay a specified percentage of any aid you have received in the term in which you are withdrawing, since the funds you receive are designed to help you meet your living expenses for the entire term. Check with your financial aid adviser before withdrawing from school.

How do I get my financial aid transferred to another school?

You will need to add the school that you wish to attend to your Student Aid Report (SAR). The school can be added either via the telephone or online. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid for specific instructions.

How can I receive financial aid as a transient student to another institution?

ABAC will provide the financial aid if a student decides to be transient to another college. The student must inform the Office of Financial Aid of his/her intent to be transient by completing the Transient Permission Request Form. This form is available in the Office of Financial Aid.