Financial Aid Application Procedures

Applications for financial aid are available beginning in January for the following academic year. They are available at High School Guidance Offices, Public Libraries, University, College, and Trade School Financial Aid Offices, and on the Internet. The process of applying for assistance takes approximately 4-6 weeks, therefore, it is important for students to apply early. Students who complete their application by the May 1 priority deadline increase their potential to receive the maximum aid available from each of the financial aid programs.

Please Note: Financial aid applications are not reviewed until all of the following requirements have been completed:

  1. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). CCRI requires that all students complete the initial or renewal FAFSA. The Office of Financial Aid must receive the need analysis results from this application before a student’s eligibility for aid can be determined. The CCRI code is 004916. [Go to FAFSA web site]
  2. Admittance to a Degree or Certificate Program: In order to receive Financial Aid, all students must be accepted into an eligible degree or certificate program prior to the end of the add period for the semester that they are attending. [See Programs of Study in catalog]
  3. Verification: Federal regulations require that some students verify the information submitted on the FAFSA. Applicants selected for verification, and those students with conflicting information, must complete a verification form, provide copies of income tax returns and any other pertinent documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid. You can determine whether or not you are selected for verification from the Student Aid Report (SAR) that you will receive from the Department of Education following the FAFSA application. Those students selected for verification will have an asterisk next to the EFC Index. The Cover Letter of the SAR will also indicate that you have been selected for verification.
  4. CCRI has a priority date of May 1. If you complete your file after this date, you will be financially responsible for your bill. If we determine that you are eligible for financial aid, and you complete a financial aid file with our office, you may be reimbursed later in the semester. Due to the large number of eligible students, it may not be possible to give the full consideration for all financial aid programs to those who file late applications. For example, the Rhode Island State Grant Program has a March 1 priority deadline. Any student applying after March 1 will more than likely not receive State Grant Funds.

The Office of Enrollment Services also sponsors an annual Financial Aid Awareness Week each year at the end of January or beginning of February to assist those interested in filing a new or renewal FAFSA application, as well as to provide answers to any other Financial Aid questions that you might have.