Finances
FAFSA,
Free Federal Student Aid
Applying for financial aid is one of the most important steps in your enrollment process. FAFSA must be completed before you can receive approval for federal grants and other aid programs available at TCR.
How It Works
Applying for FAFSA at TCR
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for federal grants, work study, and other financial aid programs. Most students who are enrolled in an eligible program at TCR and are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens can apply. You do not need to be accepted into a program before submitting your FAFSA.
To apply, visit studentaid.govand enter TCR’s school code 014050 when prompted. Your application will be processed by the U.S. Department of Education, and TCR’s financial aid office will receive your results to determine your award eligibility.
Please note: FAFSA processing can take 3–5 business days. You will also need an FSA ID to sign your application electronically. If you don’t have one, create it atstudentaid.govbefore starting your FAFSA.
What You'll Need
Required Documents
- Social Security Number (or alien registration number if applicable)
- Alien registration or permanent resident card (if not a U.S. citizen)
- Federal tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned
- Bank statements and records of investments
- Records of untaxed income
- An FSA ID (username and password) to sign your application electronically
- Dependent students will also need their parent or guardian tax and financial information
Financial Aid Office
Need Help?
If you need assistance completing your FAFSA or have questions about your financial aid eligibility, contact Tony Bowling in the TCR financial aid office. Tony can walk you through the application process, help you understand your award letter, and connect you with additional resources.
FAFSA Simplification Act
Professional Judgment
Under the FAFSA Simplification Act, financial aid administrators may use professional judgment to adjust a student’s financial aid eligibility based on documented changes in circumstances. These adjustments fall into two categories.
Category 1
Special Circumstances
Special circumstances involve changes to a student’s or family’s financial situation, such as job loss, medical expenses, or other significant changes in income. A financial aid administrator may adjust the cost of attendance (COA) or the expected family contribution (EFC) to better reflect the student’s current ability to pay for education.
Category 2
Unusual Circumstances
Unusual circumstances relate to a student’s dependency status. In cases involving human trafficking, refugee or asylee status, parental abandonment, or other situations where parental information cannot be obtained, a financial aid administrator may perform a dependency override to classify the student as independent for FAFSA purposes.
Students may qualify under both categories simultaneously. If you believe your circumstances warrant a professional judgment review, contact Tony Bowling attony.bowling@tcr.eduto discuss your situation and begin the documentation process.