Financial Aid...Apply for Financial Aid

Filling out the FAFSA is easier than it looks. If you still have questions, feel free to contact the Financial Aid office.

Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Complete the FAFSA online
Obtain forms from the Financial Aid office.
Help in filling out the FAFSA

Step 2: Submit the FAFSA

If you filled it out online, it will be sent electronically.
If you fill out the FAFSA manually, send it to the address listed on the form.

Step 3: Wait

The federal government will process your application and send a copy of the results to each school listed. To include Columbus State, use this code: 006867. Online applications are usually processed about two weeks sooner than applications sent in by mail.

Columbus State's Financial Aid Office may request additional documents to verify the accuracy of your application. You must complete all forms, provide any requested information and turn it all into the Financial Aid Office in order for aid to be processed.

Step 4: Accept Your Award

Once the government has reviewed your FAFSA, the Financial Aid office will mail you an award letter that indicates what financial aid you are eligible to receive. Awards are based on a full-time class load (12 credits per quarter), and awards may be reduced if you drop below a full load.

The award letter will include:

Grants for which you qualify
Loans, which you may accept or decline
Whether you are eligible to apply for a federal work study job.

If “OIG Grant” or "OCOG Grant" appear on your award letter, remember that’s just an estimate of how much you could receive under the Ohio Instructional Grant or Ohio College Opportunity Grant programs. The awards are not final until you receive notification from the Ohio Board of Regents of your actual award. You must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours to qualify for an Ohio Instructional Grant.

Work Study

If you decide to take a work study job, you will need to meet with a work study placement assistant in the Financial Aid department. You will need to fill out the appropriate paperwork before starting your work study job.