Who can get financial aid?

To qualify for financial aid, you’ll need to meet these basic requirements:

• Complete your FAFSA using YC’s school code 001079.
• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have earned your high school diploma or GED.
• Not be in default on previous loans or owe refunds on grants to the Department of Education.
• Be admitted to a financial aid eligible, certificate or degree-seeking program.
• Stay in good academic standing (Satisfactory Academic Progress).

How Do I Get Financial Aid?

We have open enrollment at Yavapai College. We process FAFSAs year-round. Below is our general timeline for processing FAFSAs at the start of each school year.

Follow these steps to apply for and receive financial aid at Yavapai College.

1. Apply for Admission to Yavapai College

   If you are new to Yavapai College, you must apply for admission before YC can begin processing your FAFSA.

2. Create Your StudentAid.gov Account (FSA ID)

   Whether you are a student or a parent, you will need to create your own account at StudentAid.gov. Your FSA ID is the username and password you will use to access federal student aid information.

   Important: Each person must have their own FSA ID. You will use the same FSA ID each year.

   See the FAFSA checklist for documents and information to have ready before completing your FAFSA.

3. OCTOBER: Complete the FAFSA

   FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
   The FAFSA is the first step in determining your eligibility for federal financial aid. The FAFSA typically opens on October 1 each year.

   Yavapai College's Federal School Code: 001079

   Complete the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov

   Need help completing the FAFSA?

   There are FREE resources available to help you complete your FAFSA:

   • Explore the College Ready AZ FAFSA Toolkit
   • Schedule a virtual appointment with CollegeReadyAZ for FAFSA assistance: https://calendly.com/arizona-fafsa-assistance-virtual
   • Schedule an appointment with a Yavapai College Financial Aid Advisor by calling 928-776-2152

   Never pay for help completing the FAFSA. If someone asks you to pay to complete your FAFSA, do not proceed.

   After your FAFSA is processed by the Department of Education (ED), you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary by email, typically within 3-4 days.

4. DECEMBER: YC Begins Receiving FAFSAs

   Yavapai College typically begins receiving FAFSA information from the Department of Education in late November or early December.

   After December, FAFSAs continue to be sent to YC regularly throughout the year. It may take up to two weeks for YC to receive your FAFSA after it has been processed by the Department of Education.

5. Complete Any Financial Aid Unsatisfied Requirements.

   As YC begins processing FAFSAs, you will receive an email confirming that we received your FAFSA and letting you know if there are any unsatisfied financial aid requirements that need to be completed.

   Check your financial aid account for unsatisfied requirements and complete them as soon as possible. All required items must be completed and approved before you can receive federal financial aid.

   To check your requirements, log in to yc.edu and go to: My Account > Student Financials > Financial Aid

   If you are selected for FAFSA verification, visit our FAFSA Verification page for more information

6. APRIL: View Your Financial Aid Offer

   After your FAFSA has been processed and all required eligibility items have been completed, your financial aid offer will be available to view in your YC account.

   A student’s financial aid offer is prepared based on anticipated full-time enrollment. Students enrolled at less than full-time may receive a prorated financial aid offer based on their enrollment intensity.

   To see your offer, log in to yc.edu and go to: My Account > Student Financials > Financial Aid > Offer
   
   Your offer may include grants and other types of financial aid for which you are eligible.
   
   Federal student loans are not automatically included in YC's financial aid offer. If you would like to borrow a federal student loan, you must request it separately. Visit Federal Loans vs. Private Loans for more information.

7. Apply for Scholarships

   You do not have to wait until your financial aid offer is posted to apply for scholarships.

   The YC Foundation Scholarship application is typically available in early November. May is the priority deadline for fall scholarship applications for graduating High School Seniors only.

   To access the YC Foundation Scholarship application: Log in to yc.edu and go to: Main Menu (three white lines) next to the words “MY YC Experience” > My Account > YC Scholarship Application

   Visit the YC Scholarship Resources page to explore additional scholarship opportunities.

8. AUGUST: Check Your Disbursement Information

   Before the semester begins, check the YC Academic Calendar for important financial aid and disbursement dates.

   Financial aid is not necessarily disbursed all at once. The timing of your disbursement depends on when your classes begin and whether you have completed all financial aid eligibility requirements.

   For example:

   Pell Grant: Your Pell Grant is released to pay tuition & fees based on when your classes begin. See the Disbursements & Financial Aid Refunds page for more information.

   Pell Grants and Enrollment Intensity

   Enrollment intensity is the percentage of full-time enrollment at which a student is enrolled, rounded to the nearest whole percent. For example, if full-time enrollment is 12 CPOS credit hours and the student is enrolled in 7 CPOS credit hours, the enrollment intensity would be 7 ÷ 12 × 100% = 58.3% (round to 58%).

   Federal student loans: Your loan must meet the required enrollment criteria before it can be released. If you are enrolled in classes that begin later in the semester, your loan may not disburse until you meet the enrollment requirement. See Federal Loans vs. Private Loans for more information.

   Be sure to read financial aid emails carefully and check your YC account regularly.

   For more information, see our Disbursements & Financial Aid Refunds.

9. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

   To continue receiving financial aid, you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

   This includes meeting requirements for your GPA, completing coursework successfully, and completing your program within the required timeframe.

   Read the YC Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for more information.

10. Complete a FAFSA Every Year

    The FAFSA covers one academic year which includes fall, spring, and summer.

    You must complete a new FAFSA each year you are in college to continue receiving federal financial aid.

    Remember: Your FAFSA, financial aid requirements, and eligibility can change from year to year. Check your YC account and email regularly for important financial aid information.

When should I submit the FAFSA by?

The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30 of the academic year for which you are applying. However, it’s best to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. Upon being processed, eligible financial aid will be determined.

Financial Aid Contact Information and Office Hours: