Frequently Asked Questions

 What forms are needed to apply for Financial Aid?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed each year and sent to the appropriate processing agency in the envelope provided, or you can submit your application electronically by using FAFSA on the web. You may contact the Financial Aid Office for a paper application.

What types of financial aid do I apply for when I complete this application?
Your eligibility for all forms of federal financial aid, including PELL Grant, SEOG Grant, Perkins Loan, Direct Loan, Work-Study are determined when you complete the FAFSA.  In addition, this form allows you to apply for the Workforce Improvement Grant (grant given by the state of Arkansas).

What is BRTC Title IV Code and why do I need it?
Our Title IV code is 011948. When you enter this code on the FAFSA, BRTC will automatically receive an electronic version of your processed Student Aid Report (SAR).

How do I apply for a Pell Grant?
When you complete the FAFSA, your eligibility for the Pell Grant is automatically determined. 

I probably don't qualify for aid. Why should I apply?
Many families mistakenly believe they don't qualify for aid, preventing themselves from receiving aid for which they may be eligible simply because they fail to apply. In addition, there are sources of aid, such as Unsubsidized Direct Loans and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), available regardless of need. The FAFSA form is free. It does not obligate the student or the parent in any way. There is no reason not to apply.

Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid?
No. You can apply for financial aid any time after January 1 each year. To be awarded federal aid you must be admitted to a degree seeking or certificate-seeking program.  To receive funds, you must be admitted and enrolled at BRTC.

I sent in my FAFSA over four weeks ago, but haven't heard anything. What should I do?
If you haven't received a Student Aid Report (SAR), call the Federal processor at 1-800-4FEDAID. You must provide them with your Social Security number and date of birth as verification.

I am independent of my parents. I don't live with them, I file my own taxes and they are not helping me with college expenses. Can I file for financial aid without using their income information?
Probably not. The federal aid programs are built on the premise that educating a child is a family responsibility. It is unfortunate that your parents do not support you in this effort. However, the FAFSA gives specific criteria for determining when a student may file for federal aid without using parental income information, and none of the circumstances you mentioned are listed as factors in that determination.

How do I transfer my financial aid to another school?
Federal aid may be transferred to any college/university in the United States.  If you are transferring in the middle of the school year, you may call (800) 4-FEDAID and request that it be transferred to the college of  your choice. You will be asked for your DRN#, which is located on your SAR (Student Aid Report), and the school code, which for BRTC is 011948.  The transfer process may also be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

How do I apply for a student loan?
When you submit the FAFSA you should indicate that you are interested in receiving a student loan. If you did not indicate your interest or have changed your mind since you filed, you can contact our office so we can note your aid preferences in your file.  Students desiring a loan must make specific requests to the Financial Aid Office.

What is the difference between a subsidized and an unsubsidized loan?
For both loans, the principal (the original amount a student borrows) is deferred until six months after the student graduates or stops attending school at least half time. As its name implies, a SUBSIDIZED loan is one where the government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school. An UNSUBSIDIZED loan is one where the government does not pay the interest while the student is in school, that is, the student is responsible for paying the interest.

What is "loan counseling," an "entrance interview" or "entrance counseling session"?
All of these terms refer to the same thing: loan counseling. The federal government requires all first-time student loan borrowers to participate in loan counseling prior to receiving a Federal Direct Loan. During this session, you will review basic facts about loans, managing your education expenses and your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. You can participate in loan counseling on the web on your computer or in our office.

Can I cancel my loan if I change my mind?
Yes. You may cancel all or a portion of your loan within ten to fifteen days from the date of the scheduled disbursement date.  To cancel a student must contact either the Financial Aid Office or the lender.

How can I find out when I can pick up my loan check at the Student Accounts Window?  It is the student's responsibility to look on the his/her Campus Connect login screen to view important announcements.   The date for which the loan checks may be picked up will be posted on each individual student's  Campus Connect screen as soon as the loan has been processed.  The dates are contingent, however, on the student having completed the Master Promissory Note and the Entrance Loan Counseling.  Also, students may receive loan disbursements at different times throughout the semester depending on when the student requested the loan.

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