To apply for financial aid, students must be accepted to the College, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the FHCHS Financial Aid Application. These forms are available at www.FHCHS.edu. Those unable to apply for financial aid online may obtain this information in person at the Financial Services Department.

In order to be eligible for any financial aid, the student must:

1. Be accepted on Regular, Provisional, or Probationary status.
2. Be enrolled in a program of study leading toward a degree or certificate. (The Advanced Imaging Certificate Programs are not eligible for financial aid.)
3. Be registered at least half-time (six trimester credits).
4. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
5. Not be in default or owe a refund on Title IV (federal) funds.

If a student is selected for verification, the Financial Aid Office will contact him or her regarding the additional documentation required to complete the financial aid file.

Once all documentation is received, the Financial Aid Office will send an award letter listing the types and amounts of financial aid the student is eligible to receive.

Students do not receive any aid during non-enrollment periods. Students who withdraw or drop out during a given enrollment period will fall under the Financial Aid Refund policy. A student’s continued eligibility is also based on maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Federal and state regulations require FHCHS to ascertain that the combined financial resources available to a student from all sources do not exceed the student’s documented educational need. The Financial Aid Office monitors all financial aid and adjusts the award to conform to federal, state, and institutional regulations.

For financial aid purposes, need is determined by using the following financial aid formula:

( Cost of Attendance ) - ( Expected Family Contribution ) = Educational Need

Cost of Attendance refers to the amount it costs to attend FHCHS. This cost includes tuition, an estimated book allowance, an estimated cost for uniforms, a matriculation fee, professional fees, room and board, and personal and travel allowances. The Expected Family Contribution is determined by analyzing the data the student and/or parent provide(s) on the FAFSA according to a process which has been mandated by the Congress of the United States. The difference between the above two components is considered to be the student’s Educational Need.

Students will be notified of the estimated awards they should receive for the coming year. Award letters that are sent out prior to the beginning of the trimester/enrollment period will disclose estimated awards based on the enrollment information provided by the student on the FAFSA and the FHCHS Financial Aid Application. If the student enrolls for credits that are different from what the aid was based on, the award may change. Students are not eligible for financial aid if they are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), or are in default on or owe a refund for Title IV (federal) aid. Although the estimated amount of a Federal Stafford, Federal Graduate PLUS, or PLUS Loan may appear on the award letter notifying students that they are eligible for that form of assistance, students or parents must still apply for the loan(s) by completing a Master Promissory Note, Entrance Loan Counseling, and indicating on the Financial Aid Application or the Stafford/PLUS Loan request form the amount to be borrowed. Graduate students can apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan by completing a Master Promissory Note.  Each year the graduate student needs to complete a PLUS credit decision request. Parents can apply for the PLUS Loan by completing a Master Promissory Note. Each year the parent needs to complete a PLUS credit decision request. The Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan Counseling only need to be completed once. If a student/parent changes lenders, then a new Master Promissory Note needs to be completed.