Apply for Aid

To apply for financial aid for HCC, students must first complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by submitting a FAFSA online at studentaid.gov.

Steps to Apply

  1. Create a FSA ID and password on studentaid.gov. If you are a dependent, a parent must also create a FSA ID and password. Be sure to save this
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov by the July 1 priority deadline. What you may need for student & parent (if student is <24 years of age):
    • Prior, prior year’s tax information (ex. for the 2026-27 FAFSA use 2024 tax information) for you and your parent if dependent.
    • Current bank &/or investment statements, records of untaxed income, e.g., tax-deferred pension & savings plan with payments, child support received, tax-exempt interest, etc.
    • Include HCC’s Federal School Code (#008083) on your application.
  3. After submission, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary email outlining the information provided in your FAFSA and your eligibility for federal student aid. HCC will send you a required documents letter and email to advise you of your financial aid status at HCC.
  4. Apply for scholarships on HCC's Scholarship Page. Students must complete a FAFSA to be considered for scholarships.
  5. Log into your Self Service Portal at haywood.edu to access your financial aid checklist. Submit all verification documents requested by HCC. It is important to respond in a timely manner to any HCC communications to prevent delays in your aid!
  6. When your file is complete, you will be sent an email award notification, if eligible. Log into Self Service to check your aid status, view, and accept your award letter and check your account balance.
  7. Tuition, fees, and bookstore charges will be deducted from financial aid awards. Award recipients may use their aid in the bookstore approximately 10 calendar days before the start of classes.
  8. Any remaining balance (after tuition, fees, and bookstore charges have been deducted) will be disbursed to the student by mail on Financial Aid Refund Day, approximately 6 weeks after the start of classes. Short-semester classes may increase enrollment status. Additional refunds for revised eligibility will be sent out approximately 4 weeks after courses begin.

More Details 

  • FAFSA is processed by the Department of Education (DOE). DOE determines the Student Aid Index (SAI) using Federal Methodology. SAI determines student eligibility. HCC and the student receive a product of the FAFSA called SAR/ISIR (Student Aid Report) 
  • Students with eligibility for grants (federal and/or state) who are selected for the process called Verification or who are missing information necessary to complete processing their application are sent an email directing the student to their Self Service Portal where they will find a listing the information required to complete their file. It is important to respond to this request in a timely manner to prevent delays in the processing of your financial aid. 
  • When the student’s "file" is complete, i.e., all supporting information received, verification completed, and the student is fully accepted into a qualified degree-seeking program, an award letter notification is emailed to the student. All financial aid awards may be viewed on the student's Self-Service account. 
  • Tuition, fees, and bookstore charges will automatically be deducted from the student's financial aid awards. 
  • Any remaining balance will be disbursed to the student by check and mailed to the address the school has on file approximately 6 weeks after classes begin. 

Scholarships 

Thanks to the generosity of our community members, students, employees, and HCC Foundation, HCC offers a variety of scholarships for our students.

Review Scholarships/Grants

Contact Us

Monday – Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday 8:00am -4:00pm

Phone: 828-627-4756
Email: hccaid@haywood.edu
Set an Appointment

Please use @haywood.edu if applicable