Federal Aid Funding
Federal Resources (Funding)
Federal financial aid can help make college more affordable by providing financial assistance to eligible students. Aid may include grants that generally do not have to be repaid, work-study opportunities that allow students to earn money while attending school, and federal student loans that must be repaid. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in determining your eligibility for federal financial aid and other sources of assistance. Be sure to complete the FAFSA each year and meet important deadlines to maximize your opportunities for financial support.
Once your FAFSA is received at SFCC, you may be asked to submit additional documentation to verify your application. These are noted as unsatisfied requirements in Experience > Financial Aid> Check My Financial Aid. Your financial aid package cannot be offered until this verification process is complete. Financial Aid will accept documents throughout the semester; however, for timely processing of your FAFSA, the documents must be submitted by the deadline.
| Semester | Last Day to Accept Documents |
|---|---|
|
Fall Semester |
Feb. 3, 2027 |
|
Spring Semester |
June 22, 2027 |
|
Summer Semester |
Aug. 28, 2027 |
Types of Federal Resources Available
Federal Pell grants are awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree. A Federal Pell grant does not have to be repaid.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is a federal need-based grant for degree-seeking undergraduate students with exceptional need. The actual amount offered is based on funding provided to SFCC from the U.S. Department of Education. FSEOG will be offered annually and will be applied to fall and spring semesters.
As part of the student’s financial aid, a student may be able to work to pay some college expenses. SFCC offers need-based job opportunities such as on-campus positions, community service and tutoring. FWS positions pay state of Missouri minimum wage and normally provide up to 17 hours of work per week during fall and spring semester. Apply for a student job today!
The Direct Subsidized Loan is available to students who demonstrate financial need. The Department of Education pays the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled in at least half time and during some periods after school.
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not offered based on need. Interest in these loans will accrue and will be added to the principal amount of the loan. Students are responsible for paying interest during all periods.
| Academic Level | Dependent Student | Independent Student |
|---|---|---|
|
Grade Level 1 – Freshman |
$5,500 – up to $3,500 of this may be in subsidized loans |
$9,500 – up to $3,500 of this may be in subsidized loans |
|
Grade Level 2 – Sophomore |
$6,500 – up to $4,500 of this may be in subsidized loans |
$10,500 – up to $4,500 of this may be in subsidized loans |
|
Aggregate Loan Limits |
$31,000 – up to $23,000 of this may be in subsidized loans |
$57,500 – up to $23,000 of this may be in subsidized loans |
The Direct PLUS Loan is offered to parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by financial aid. Eligibility is not based on financial need and a credit check is required. Borrowers who have an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify.
To request a Direct PLUS Loan, parents must have an FSAID to complete the Direct PLUS Loan application and a Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note.
SFCC provides information about private education loan options to help students and families understand ways to pay for educational expenses that may not be fully covered by federal, state, institutional, or other financial aid.
Before borrowing a private education loan, students should carefully review their educational costs and consider all available financial aid options. Private loans are offered by banks and other private lenders and typically have different interest rates, fees, and repayment terms than federal student loans.
Students and families are encouraged to compare lenders and loan terms to find the option that best fits their individual needs. SFCC may provide information about lenders that offer private education loans, but students have the right to choose any lender, including one that is not included on an SFCC lender list.
SFCC does not require students to use a specific lender. Our goal is to provide information to help students and families make informed decisions about borrowing for college.