Applying for Financial Aid

Stepstep 1Admissions application
Stepstep 2Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Stepstep 3Check the status of your financial aid
Stepstep 4Applying for student loans online
Stepstep 5Other requirements for aid eligibility

Applications for financial aid are accepted after January 1 of the year students plan to attend college. (i.e. FAFSA is available Jan 1, 2008 for those applying for the 2008-2009 academic year).


To apply:


Step step 1 Admissions application

Complete an application for admission to the college and submit it with the one-time application fee to the Admissions Office. (Applies to first-time students only.)


Step step 2 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and indicate the Columbia College school code, 002456. Students can apply by accessing the FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To obtain a paper copy of the FAFSA, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Columbia College's priority deadline for the FAFSA is March 1 of the year students plan to attend college (i.e. the deadline is March 1, 2008 for those applying for the 2008-2009 academic year).

State aid is also awarded based on information obtained from the FAFSA. The application deadline to be considered for Missouri state aid is April 1 of the year students plan to attend college (i.e. the deadline is April 1, 2008 for those applying for the 2008-2009 academic year.)


Step step 3 Check the status of your financial aid

Activate your eServices account today and monitor your CougarMail account on a regular basis. The Financial Aid Office uses your official Columbia College CougarMail e-mail address to inform you about the status of your financial aid application, additional information that you may need to complete your aid application and upcoming deadlines and important dates. IMPORTANT: The Financial Aid Office notifies students primarily via CougarMail. Correspondence sent through e-mail will not be sent via postal mail.

"My Documents", available through eServices, will show what documents have been received and what documents are missing or incomplete. It can take up to 24 to 48 hours for a submitted document to be logged in.

For assistance, visit the eServices homepage at www.ccis.edu/eServices (available at the top of every page), or contact the Columbia College Registration and Financial Services at (800) 231-2391, ext 7390.


Step step 4 Applying for student loans online

Students borrowing student loans must complete three items in addition to their FAFSA to get a loan:

  1. Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note*
  2. Accept/decline/reduce loans with eAward Letter, available through eServices. Learn more.

Find more information on federal student loans.
* One time only as long as you stay at Columbia College and with the same lender.


Step step 5 Other eligibility requirements

Aspects of Step 5 are not required for every student. You will be notified through CougarMail if these documents are needed.  


Students must  reapply each year for financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office for annual deadlines and important dates.