Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Every Year
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process for
every year that you plan to receive financial aid. The FAFSA application becomes available
October 1 and is used for the following school year, including Fall, Spring and Summer
semesters.
Complete your FAFSA as early as possible to ensure time for processing and any necessary
follow up. We offer workshops to assist you with completing your FAFSA.
FAFSA Workshops
Complete Additional Requests for Information
You may be required by the federal government to provide additional documentation
to be eligible for financial aid. Check the Financial Aid Dashboard in your MyCCRI
portal regularly to view any outstanding requirements.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The U.S. Department of Education requires us to evaluate and monitor the Satisfactory
Academic Progress of all students applying for Federal Student Aid. Satisfactory Academic
Progress is determined at the end of each semester of enrollment. Please visit our
Satisfactory Academic Progress page for detailed information about these requirements
and a schedule of our Back on Track workshops.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Make Sure Your Courses Count Toward Your Declared Academic Program
Federal regulations state that financial aid cannot be awarded for classes that do
not count towards your declared academic program. If you choose to take these courses,
your financial aid award will be reduced by the number of credit hours listed. If
your award does not fully cover your tuition, you are responsible for using self-pay
methods to pay your remaining tuition balance.
How withdrawing from your courses impacts your financial aid
The Federal Financial Aid Title IV Refund Policy requires colleges to calculate how
much federal aid a student has earned if they withdraw or stop attending prior to
completing more than 60% of the semester. Students may have to return a portion of the aid received, as well
as owe the College a portion of the tuition and fees. Title IV funds include Federal
Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Direct
Loans.
If a student unofficially withdraws (stops attending) or a student’s academic transcript
reflects unsuccessful completion of all courses in a term, the Community College of
Rhode Island (CCRI) will calculate the student’s aid based on the latter date from
one of the following: 50% completion date of the term or official documented last date of attendance, or an
academic-related activity.
