FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions


Scholarship FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
I applied last academic year, do I have to reapply for this new academic year?
Yes. You must reapply for financial assistance and scholarships every academic year. Financial aid consideration does not continue from one year to the next without applying. All financial aid eligibility is determined using the prior year income. For example, your 2006-2007 eligibility was based on income received in 2005, and for 2007-2008 your eligibility will be based on income received for 2006.

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Are there any special instructions for completing the FAFSA?
For faster results, use FAFSA on the Web. Just follow the instructions. Accuracy is very important when completing the FAFSA. Mistakes can cause delays, or eliminate you from consideration from certain financial aid programs. Students often omit the items listed below. Please pay close attention to them because failure to include these items may cause a delay in the processing of your file while corrections are made to this data.
  • You must use the name that appears on your social security card. Failure to do so will cause a delay in the delivery of funds.
  • Earned income credit from tax form must be included.
  • Adjusted Gross income from IRS 1040,1040A,or 1040EZ.
  • Income tax paid from the IRS 1040, 1040A,or 1040EZ.
  • Household size should reflect those family members that are being supported by the student or the students parents. (Do not include family members that do not fit the description found in the instructions.)
  • Number of family members from the household who are in college.
  • Income received from other sources, such as gift money from family, or private sources and military housing income (BAS & BAH), should also be counted as Other Untaxed Income.
  • Cash and savings.
  • Investment and other real estate value.(Do not include the value of the house you are living in.)
  • Dependent student's income.

If you listed Del Mar College (Code 003563) on your FAFSA, we will request that you complete a Del Mar College Resource Application. Other documents may be provided or requested at that time.

The Department of Education may select your application for a process called Verification. Should this occur, a verification worksheet must be completed, along with submitting copies of your Federal Income Tax Returns, and W2s of the person(s) whose income was reported on the FAFSA. Verification of other income, such as TANF, Social Security, child support, etc., may also be required.

Academic transcripts of all college credits are required. A copy of GED scores/certificate is also needed. High school graduates should have a transcript on file in the Office of Admissions and Registrar. Transfer students must also submit a credit hour evaluation sheet that is available in the Financial Aid Office.

Del Mar College uses information received from the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS). NSLDS is a federal database that contains information on previous financial aid and attendance history. A comment will appear on your SAR indicating whether information was successfully matched with NSLDS. Students with unsuccessful matches must resolve the problem before possibly receiving finanical aid.

Midyear transfer students will be placed on a transfer monitoring list with NSLDS to ensure that they are still eligible to recieve federal financial aid funds at Del Mar College.


It is the student 's responsibility to request academic transcripts from all institutions previously attended.

Other documents that may be needed:

  • Proof of U. S. citizenship if the Central Processor cannot verify that you are a U. S. citizen with the ICE.
  • Certification of Alien Registration I-551 is needed if the Central Processor is unable to verify your status with the Social Security Administration.
  • Proof of Selective Service registration is required if the Central Processor is unable to verify your registration.
  • A copy of your Social Security card to verify your correct name if the Central Processor is unable to verify your name with the Social Security Administration.

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Do I need to have a high school diploma or GED?
Financial aid applicants must have a high school diploma or must have successfully completed the General Educational Development (GED) Test to receive student financial aid.
Students who do not have a high school diploma or GED certificate may qualify for financial aid by achieving minimum scores on the (COMPASS) test offered at the Testing Center as follows:


COMPASS: Reading (62), Writing (32), and Math (25)

Students meeting this criterion must submit copies of their test scores and the Individual Approval form signed by the appropriate dean to Financial Aid Services before financial aid can be awarded.

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What happens if the data on my SAR is incorrect?
Should the information on your Student Aid Report be incorrect return your SAR with the proper corrections. The Financial Aid Office has the capability of electronically processing the corrections.

When processed electronically, the corrected SAR can be retrieved by the Financial Aid Office within ten working days.

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What if I lost my SAR?
If you listed Del Mar College on your original application, we will receive an electronic record and will not need a copy of your SAR.

Students that did not list Del Mar College or need a duplicate SAR may call the Central Processor at 800-433-3243. This is a toll-free number.

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Can I get help filling out my application?
Students are encouraged to ask questions about the various programs they do not understand. A personal interview with a member of the Financial Aid Office staff is available upon request.

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When should I apply for financial aid?
Applications for scholarships and financial aid are accepted after January 1 of each year for the following academic year.

It is recommended that you apply at least two months before the priority deadline for the applicable enrollment period. Priority deadlines are established to allow ample time for the processing of applications and ensure you that your financial aid will be available when you register.

All applications received after the priority deadline are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and on the availability of funds.

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How will I be paid?
If you have an accepted award on file, you may charge your tuition and fees at each registration within the award period. A portion of your grant will pay for that charge. The remaining balance from your grant award will be applied to your debit card according to a disbursement schedule established by Financial Aid Services. There are no exceptions to the above disbursement schedule.

Students receiving loans only will be mailed special instructions.

Students on financial aid suspension must make arrangements to pay their own tuition and fees.

Students who turned in late paperwork should be prepared to pay for tuition and books themselves. Once their file is complete, and an accepted award on file you will be paid based on your enrollment level.

Due to the limited availability of funds the Federal Pell Grant is usually the only program left with enough funds. Should the student not qualify for a Pell Grant, there may be no other assistance available. Therefore, it is important that you meet the priority deadlines making sure that your file is both correct and complete. Should your award be completed after the semester begins, a disbursement for the entire amount of your eligibility for the semester will be processed and applied to your debit card as soon as there is an accepted award on file.

ALERT: Sometimes problems occur that keep students' from receiving their balances. These problems may be the result of the student owing funds to Del Mar College. Students will need to make arrangements with the Business Office to clear their account. Incorrect addresses may also cause a delay.

Be assured that we will do everything in our power to solve any problems as soon as we become aware of them.

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What happens if I must withdraw? Do I repay financial aid?
Tuition and fee payments made by any federal, state, or local financial aid program will be credited to the proper program fund if a student:

  • Does not register for the period of attendance for which aid was intended OR
  • Withdraws or fails to complete a period of enrollment.
Beginning in the Fall 2000 semester, students who withdraw may have to repay a portion of their federal grant funds. The Higher Education Act of 1998 modified the formula used to calculate unearned financial aid. This new amendment states that students who withdraw before completing at least 60% of an academic term may have to return unearned financial aid as determined by the new formula. See the Del Mar College Catalog for details.

In compliance with Federal regulations, Del Mar College credits refunds to the federal programs in the following order:
  1. Federal Direct Student Loan
  2. Federal Pell Grant
  3. Federal SEOG
  4. Other Title IV Programs
  5. Private Assistance Programs
  6. The Student
A repayment worksheet will be prepared on the student so that the student is aware of the amount he or she owes as a repayment.

Always notify or contact Financial Aid Services before withdrawing, or dropping below six credit hours to determine if you will owe a refund and how much may be required to be repaid.

Please refer to the Del Mar College Catalog for more details about the refund policies.

TOP What is a PIN?
The PIN serves as the students's electronic signature as well as enabling the student to access their account infomration. For more information on the PIN log on to www.pin.ed.gov .

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Who can apply for a scholarship?
Any student attending or planning to attend Del Mar College.

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How do I apply for a scholarship?
Complete a Scholarship Application and submit it along with your high school transcript and/or college transcript(s).Incoming freshmen submit a letter of recommendation from their principal and/or high school counselor.

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If I applied for the previous year, do I have to reapply for a scholarship?
Yes. Students must reapply for scholarships every academic school year.

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When should I apply?
Applications for scholarships are accepted throughout the academic year. Applying early (at least two months before the priority deadline ) allows your application maximum consideration.

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