Financial Aid
Federal Financial Aid
School Code: 00891900
The Financial Aid office provides information and assists students seeking financial aid. Although the major responsibility for financing a college education resides with the student, Nicolet College is able to assist students in meeting their educational expenses. Assistance may be in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, employment, or a combination of these. Many of the financial aid programs are based upon financial need and student enrollment, determined at census date (which is 14 calendar days after the beginning of the term). No changes to awards will be made for additional credits added after the census date. Financial need is the difference between: the student's established educational cost of attendance (includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and personal expenses), and resources the student and/or family should have available to meet those costs (family contribution).
- Grants are financial aid that does not have to be paid back. (Please see R2T4 Policy for exceptions)
- Work-study enables students to work and earn money to help pay for school.
- Loans are borrowed money which must be repaid with interest.
- Scholarships are similar to grants in that there is no obligation to repay them. Scholarships generally are not need based. Academic achievement and service are the main criteria.
Federal Student Aid for Adult Students (PDF)
Application Process
Students can apply for federal aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. By completing the FAFSA application, you are applying for all types of aid which include: federal and state grants, student loans and work study. Students need to apply each academic year. Students should apply as soon after January 1 as possible for the next academic year. Students will need to complete the FAFSA using prior year tax returns.
FAFSA 2012-2013 Worksheet (PDF)
Video - FAFSA 2012-2013 Tutorial
The Financial Aid Process
1. Get organized! To complete the FAFSA you will need information from your prior year federal tax return. Gather your income information from the prior year. This includes federal tax returns 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ; W-2s from each job worked; unemployment, child support, etc. If you are a dependent student, (under the age of 24, single, no dependents, not a veteran) you will also need your parents’ federal tax returns and income information. You may estimate your tax information but you must update the information on your FAFSA application after your tax return has been filed. Financial aid cannot be processed until this is completed.
2. Apply for a PIN (Personal Identification Number),which is necessary to sign your FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, one of your parents will also need to apply for a PIN. You and your parent cannot share a PIN. Apply at www.pin.ed.gov or while filing your FAFSA. When you receive your PIN, keep it in a secure place as you will use this same PIN throughout your entire education.
3. Go to www.fafsa.gov and click on Start Here.You will need to use your PIN. If you filled out a FAFSA for the previous year and select ‘renewal’, some information will already be completed. This feature can save time but you must correct answers for any questions where the information has changed. Complete every question. Use zeros instead of leaving a question blank. Use the IRS retrieval tool for ease of filing. When you click into each response box, a "Help and Hints" box displays information for that specific question to help you complete the questions with the correct answer. Be sure to enter Nicolet’s school code (008919) on your application. Remember to click the SAVE button on each screen as you fill out the FAFSA, and again when it is completed. Keep a copy of your FAFSA application for your records.
4. Sign your FAFSA application with your PIN and then submit your application by selecting the SUBMIT My FAFSA Now button. Your parents will also need to sign and submit if you are a dependent student. You should then see a page confirming that your application has been received. Print or save the confirmation page for your records.
5. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR).You’ll receive the SAR electronically if you provided your e-mail address when you completed the FAFSA. Otherwise, a paper copy will be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks. Review the SAR carefully and verify the information is correct. If you see incorrect information, make corrections on your FAFSA by returning to www.fafsa.gov . Keep the SAR for your records. A corrected SAR will be issued when changes are made. The Nicolet Financial Aid Office will receive your SAR information electronically from the U.S. Department of Education.
Financial Aid Qualifications
In order to receive financial aid, you must meet the following requirements:
- Apply and be accepted into a program that qualifies for financial aid.
- File the FAFSA for the appropriate school year. The 2012-2013 FAFSA is for fall of 2012, spring of 2013, and summer of 2013. The 2013-2014 FAFSA available after 1/1/2013 is for fall 2013, spring 2014, and summer 2014.
- Enroll in classes that are required for your program.
- To qualify for a federal direct loan, you must be enrolled in at least 6 credits.
- Be a U.S. Citizen, a National or permanent resident of the United States.
- Not be in default on any educational loan and/or owe any repayment of grants to Nicolet Area Technical College or any previously attended educational institution.
- Be in compliance with Selective Service.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the NATC's Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
What happens if I am selected for verification?
Verification is the process used to check the accuracy of the information submitted by students on their FAFSA. The federal processor randomly selects student applications for verification. Under certain circumstance Nicolet may also select you for verification. You’ll receive a letter from Nicolet requesting additional financial documentation. Financial aid processing can only continue once you have completed all paperwork and submitted all the required documentation. To avoid long delays, please respond by the requested date.
A dependent or independent student verification worksheet must be filled out for all students selected for verification. To avoid having to get an IRS transcript, use the IRS data retrieval tool when you originally file your FAFSA or at a later processing date.
What comes next?
If you qualify for financial aid, then a Financial Aid Award will be offered. When the award is made available, a notification will be sent to your home address. Please keep your address and e-mail current with Nicolet. The notification contains instructions on how to access your MyNicolet portal; how to view, accept, reduce or decline the financial aid awards, and how to complete entrance counseling and a master promissory note for the federal direct loans. If you are accepting a direct loan for the first time, you must go to www.studentloans.gov to complete both entrance counseling and a master promissory note before the loan can be processed. If not completed by the required date, the loan(s) will be rescinded. Apply for college work-study opportunities.
When will I receive my financial aid award?
The financial aid grant refund checks will be mailed each semester during the third week of classes and on Fridays thereafter. A financial aid refund check is the difference between a student’s grants and loans minus any tuition, books, or other charges on the student’s account.
Will financial aid pay for my books?
You are not able to charge tuition or books until your financial aid has been awarded and accepted. Students may charge their books at the Nicolet Bookstore against their remaining financial aid award after tuition and other fees have been deducted up until the specified deadline date.
What about my bill?
The FAFSA must be completed annually prior to July 1 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester to guarantee that your financial aid will be processed by the tuition due date. If you filed your FAFSA after these dates, we cannot guarantee that your award will be processed in time and you may be required to pay your tuition bill at the Nicolet College Business Office, on-line, or arrange a payment plan.
If your financial aid does not cover the cost of your tuition, you must pay the balance on your account by the tuition due date. Payment plans can be arranged through your MyNicolet account. Contact the Nicolet College Business Office at 715-365-4458 with any questions.
A few additional points about financial aid:
- State and federal funds are tentative at the time the awards are made.
- Financial aid awards will be amended if a student’s eligibility is based on incorrect information on the financial aid form.
- Financial aid awards will be amended if late start classes are dropped prior to their start and after financial aid has been disbursed.
- Financial aid will be amended if a student receives scholarships or any other type of educational assistance which results in an over-award.
- Students may not receive financial aid funds from more than one school at a time.
- Students should contact the Financial Aid Office if attending another college and need a consortium agreement.
Forms
2012-2013 Forms (PDFs)
Bachelors Degree Enrollment/Certification
Citizenship Verification
Default Clearance Overpayment Statement
Dependent Verification Worksheet
Discharged Loans, Bankruptcy Statement
Homeless Unaccompanied Youth
Independent Verification
Orphan, Foster, Ward of the Court
Selective Service Verification
Social Security Number and Date of Birth - Parent
Social Security Number and Date of Birth - Student