If you are planning to enroll in our February 2023 HVAC/R daytime program, be sure to complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA using your 2020 federal IRS tax return.

If you are planning to enroll in any of our Fall 2023 programs, please complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA using your 2021 federal IRS tax return. 

The following Job & Career Training programs are financial-aid-eligible for students that qualify:

Automotive Technology (600 hrs)
Building Maintenance (600 hrs)
Cosmetology Academy (900 hrs yr 1, 600 hrs yr 2)
Dental Assisting (810 hrs)
Early Child Care Education/Child Development Associate (700 hrs)
Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration (600 hrs)
Medical Assisting (946 hrs)
Medical Billing and Coding (900 hrs)
Police Academy (800 hrs)
Precision/CNC Machine Technology (600 hrs)
Welding  (600 hrs)

2022-2023 Financial Aid and Veteran's Benefits Guide
2023-2024 Financial Aid and Veteran's Benefits Guide

Student Eligibility (Federal Pell Grant/Federal Direct Loans)

To receive federal financial aid at Polaris Career Center, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Demonstrate financial need, except for some loan programs.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Enrolled as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security Number.
• Meet satisfactory academic progress standards set by the school.
• Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money on a federal student grant.
• Not be incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution.

Please see the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

 

The following Federal Student Aid and Payment Options are available to students that qualify: 

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Direct Loan
• Veterans Education Benefits
• Workforce Development
• Trade Adjustment Assistance Act
• Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Interest-Free Tuition Payment Plan
  • Balance is broken down into monthly payments with the first payment due at registration and the final payment due one month prior to the program ending. There are no fees or interest charged with our monthly payment plan. 

   

Federal Pell Grant Overview

• The Federal Pell grant is considered "gift aid" - financial aid that does not have to be repaid.
• The 2022-2023 maximum Federal Pell grant award a student may receive based on Expected Family Contribution of zero is:
  • $6,895 for a 900 clock hour program
  • $6,206 for a 810 clock hour program
  • $6,129 for a 800 clock hour program
  • $5,363 for a 700 clock hour program
  • $4,597 for a 600 clock hour program

 

• The Federal Pell grant amount awarded will depend on the student's financial need, the cost of attendance, and the number of clock hours of the program the student is attending.
• The student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution), reported on the SAR (Student Aid Report) that is calculated from the student’s prior-prior year income information submitted on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is also used to determine the amount of Federal Pell grant funds awarded.
• Federal Pell grant funds are meant to assist students with tuition and will not cover tuition costs completely. Students may consider applying for a Federal Direct Loan to supplement the cost of tuition. It is suggested that a student complete the student loan requirements at the same time they complete the FAFSA. 

2023-2024 amounts will be announced around May, 2023. 
 

Federal Direct Loan Overview

• A Federal Direct Loan must be repaid to the federal government. 

FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM	LOAN DETAILS	MAX ANNUAL AWARD
FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED LOAN	- For undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need	$3,500
	- Loans disbursed on or after 7/1/22 and before 7/1/23, interest rate is 4.99%	For total lifetime limit, visit studentaid.gov/sub-unsub
	- The U.S.Dept of Ed pays the interest while student is enrolled full-time, during grace period and deferment
	- Loan origination fee of 1.057% applies to loans disbursed on or after 10/1/22 and before 10/1/23 - For example, that is a fee of $66 on a $6365 loan.
FEDERAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED LOAN	- For undergraduate students, financial need is not required. School determines eligible amounts based on cost of attendance and other financial aid received.	$9,500
	- Loans disbursed on or after 7/1/22 and before 7/1/23, interest rate is 4.99%	For total lifetime limit, visit studentaid.gov/sub-unsub
	- Student is responsible for interest during all periods
	- Loan origination fee of 1.057% applies to loans disbursed on or after 10/1/22 and before 10/1/23 - For example, that is a fee of $66 on a $6365 loan.
Please visit studentaid.gov for more information

 

How to Apply for Federal Financial Aid (2022-2023 school year)

Students are responsible for submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is reviewed and processed by the U.S. Department of Education, and the results are then sent to each school the student lists on the application. To add Polaris Career Center to your application, you will need our school code, which is 016745. 

The FAFSA should be submitted at least one week in advance of the student coming in to register for a program. If a student plans to utilize federal aid, all federal aid requirements must be completed (and aid in place) prior to program registration. Students who originally do not intend to utilize federal financial aid may elect to apply for aid while enrolled in the program and aid will be applied to the student's account on the next scheduled disbursement date following the completion of all financial aid requirements. 

There are four easy ways to submit a FAFSA^® form:

• Electronically apply using the online FAFSA form found at studentaid.gov (see instructions below)
• Download the myStudentAid mobile app to your mobile device, then electronically complete the FAFSA application within the app
• Download a PDF FAFSA form from studentaid.gov, fill it out, sign, and submit by mail
• Download a PDF FAFSA form from studentaid.gov, fill it out, sign, then have the school electronically submit that FAFSA data using FAA Access to CPS Online or EDExpress

-There are some terms used in Financial Aid that you may have never heard before.
 Here's a helpful glossary of terms and their definitions.

-Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to Federal Financial Aid

Step 1 – Collect items that will help in completing the FAFSA, for example: 2021 federal IRS tax returns for the 23-24 FAFSA, bank statements,social security benefit statement, unemployment statement, child support documentation, etc. Students may need to include their parent's financial information in the application. 
Step 2 – Visit https://studentaid.gov and create a FSA ID account (username and password). The FSA ID replaces the Federal Student Aid PIN #. If you already have a PIN #, you can link your information to your new FSA ID by entering your PIN # while registering for your FSA ID. If parental information is required on the FAFSA, a parent must also apply for a FSA ID account (username and password).
Step 3 – Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA ) on-line at https://studentaid.gov. 
The Polaris Career Center school code is: 016745

If the student is interested in a Federal Direct Loan, follow the bulleted steps below. If the student is NOT interested in a loan, skip to Step 4 below. Please note: Completing these requirements does obligate you to accept a federal direct loan. Click here for helpful step-by-step instructions on completing the loan requirements. 

-Visit studentaid.gov
-Log in using the student’s FSA ID user name and password
-Complete and submit the Undergraduate subsidized/unsubsidized “Master Promissory Note” 
-Complete and submit the Undergraduate subsidized/unsubsidized “Entrance Counseling”
-Complete and submit the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement

Step 4 –Upon completion of the FAFSA (and loan requirements, if applicable), the student will immediately receive an email to the email address provided on the FAFSA stating that the FAFSA has been received by the U.S. Department of Education. Within 3-5 days, the student will receive another email with a link to the student’s Student Aid Report (SAR). 
Step 5 – After the student has reviewed the SAR report, the student is responsible for contacting the Financial Aid Coordinator, Allison Smith at 440-891-7668 or by email, asmith@polaris.edu, for the next steps in the process.
Step 6 – Once ALL financial aid requirements have been completed, the Financial aid Coordinator will notify the student that he/she may come in and register. All Job & Career Training program students must register in person at the Polaris Career Center Adult Education Office. Please see How to Register for items required at registration.

What's Next? 

The SAR will make the student aware of any issues that need to be resolved prior to becoming eligible for financial aid. If the student has questions related to resolving these issues, the student should contact the Financial Aid Office at 440-891-7668 or asmith@polaris.edu. If there are no unresolved issues or the student is selected for verification, we will contact the student via email to review the student's aid package or complete the verification process (see below). 

What is Verification? 

Verification is the confirmation through documentation that the information provided on a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is correct. The federal government requires colleges and universities to verify or confirm the data reported by students and their parent(s) on the FAFSA. The verification process ensures that eligible students receive all the financial aid to which they are entitled and prevents ineligible students from receiving financial aid to which they are not entitled. You may be selected for verification by the federal processor. If you are selected for verification by the federal processor, there will be an asterisk next to your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your Student Aid Report (SAR). Once you are selected for verification, the following documents may be required from you. Please contact Allison Smith at 440-891-7668 or asmith@polaris.edu for more information. 

Adult Education Student Policies and Financial Aid Consumer Handbook 2022-2023

Helpful Links:
Link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Creating and using the FSA ID
Transferring IRS Data to FAFSA (Recommended)
Requesting your IRS Tax Transcript
Requesting your IRS Verification of Nonfiling
Get more details about federal direct loans
Seven Myths About Financial Aid
Access your financial aid records and find your student loan servicer
Financial Literacy Guide
 

Verification Forms (2022-2023)

V1 Worksheet-Independent Student
V1 Worksheet-Dependent Student
V4 Worksheet
V5 Worksheet-Independent Student
V5 Worksheet-Dependent Student
Non Tax-Filer Statement
4506T Form

Other Forms

2023-2024 Professional Judgment Request (coming soon)
2022-2023 Professional Judgment Request

2023-2024 Homeless Youth Declaration Form (coming soon)
2022-2023 Homeless Youth Declaration Form

2023-2024 359-360 Unusual Enrollment History Form (coming soon)
2022-2023 359-360 Unusual Enrollment History Form

361 CC Resolution
365 CC Resolution
367 CC Resolution

Forms for Current Students

Financial Aid Loan Change Request Form