Apply for Financial Aid
Before beginning the application process:
- Check out the FAFSA Check List to see the documents you will need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
STEP 1
Get your PIN
Get a Federal PIN (Personal Identification Number), an electronic access code number. This is your electronic signature for the FAFSA. Go to www.pin.ed.gov.
If you are a dependent student your parent must also apply for a Federal PIN. If you applied last year, you would have been sent a Federal PIN. If you forgot your PIN, you can request a duplicate PIN online.
If you know your PIN, go directly to Step 2.
STEP 2
Complete the FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current School Year. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
If you completed a FAFSA for the previous academic year, you can complete a Renewal FAFSA.
When completing the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA, you will be asked a series of questions that determine if you are dependent or independent for financial aid purposes. If dependent, you are required to report parental income and other information. If independent and married, you are required to report all information regarding your spouse.
Important: Be sure to list Northern Essex Community College’s school code 002174 in the “Schools to Receive Information” section of the FAFSA!
STEP 3
Review your student aid report (SAR)
Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)—the result of your FAFSA application. You will receive your SAR in one of two ways:
- If you did not provide an email address on your FAFSA, you will receive a paper SAR in the mail (usually this takes a few weeks).
- If you provided an email address on your application, you’ll receive an email within several days that contains a link for you to access your SAR on the Web.
If you listed Northern Essex Community College on the FAFSA, the school will automatically receive an electronic version of your SAR.
Make sure to review and make any changes or corrections to your SAR!
STEP 4
Provide additional documentation to NECC
Check with NECC to see what information/documentation you are required to submit. All students must complete the NECC Financial Aid Application in addition to the FAFSA. If your FAFSA was selected for verification, you and your spouse/parent, if applicable, will be required to submit certain documents to verify income and other data reported on your FAFSA.
Important: Stay in touch with NECC. If you receive letters requesting additional documentation required by Federal Law respond promptly as to not delay your financial aid. Your financial aid will not be paid if you have any missing information or documents!
How will I know if I have been approved?
Once your application for financial aid is complete, a counselor will review your file and package your Financial Aid Award. You will receive a letter outlining the details of your award.
