Financial Aid Office Helps with FAFSA
With the fall semester coming to an end, most students are rushing to get school over with. However, it is important for students to remember to complete their FAFSA. The FAFSA is now open for students to complete for the 2020-2021 school year.
The financial aid office, located in M126, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday evening 5-7 p.m. in the Admissions and Advising Center. To make an appointment with the financial aid office, call (434) 961-6545.
Sherry Dudley, the financial aid’s office administrative assistant said, “Many times students aren’t able to come to school without financial aid. A parent could get laid off or there could be a change in income.”
The financial aid office can work with anyone on a walk-in basis, or students can reach 24/7 financial aid support on the PVCC website under financial aid. Part-time students can receive financial aid to the same degree as a full-time student. To qualify for a loan, however, the student needs to be enrolled in at least 5 credit hours.
“Students don’t have to wait for an appointment to come in. A counselor will come and work with you. We also have student workers who will sit right with you as long as you have your documentation,” said Dudley.
The financial aid office also offers Saturday sessions for students who need to complete FAFSA with their parents. Most of the documents and paperwork needed for FAFSA can be found on PVCC’s website under paying for college and financial aid.
“It’s better to get it right the first time than to go back and correct everything,” Dudley said.
Scholarships are not awarded in the financial aid office; however, students can receive additional help with loans and grants instead.
“We don’t want you to wait until August to apply for financial aid. Start in September. On October 1st, for each year, a student can begin to apply for the fall. The earlier it is all in place, the less difficulty someone will have for coming up for funds for their tuition,” Dudley said. “It never hurts to have an extra pair of eyes.”
