Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone has questions. Financial aid can be complicated. Here are some of the most common questions and answers. If you have more, let us know.

The FAFSA (for US citizens) and WASFA (for undocumented students) applications are available Oct. 1 of each year. It is important to complete a FAFSA or WASFA every year by April 14. This allows time for all required materials to be processed so that funds are available prior to the start of the quarter.

If you are new to Centralia College, you must be formally admitted to Centralia College before you can be awarded financial aid. You can submit an admission form for free online at any time.

Students who are returning to Centralia College after being away for less than a year (1-3 quarters) should complete the Student Update Form under the Returning Students section under Admissions. 

We encourage you to submit any requested documents as soon as possible. This reduces the chance for a delay in processing your award. Forms are available on the Financial Aid forms page. For information about your next steps to apply for financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office.

The school code is used when submitting your FAFSA or WASFA application. The school code is 003772.

Log in to your ctcLink account to view your financial aid status. You can identify any missing documents or requirements by looking at your To-Do List.
YES! You must reapply for financial aid each year by completing the renewal FAFSA or WASFA online. Applications are available Oct. 1.
You will receive an Award Letter via email and you will be able to view your awards through your ctcLink account.

A quick and easy way to complete your FAFSA, the IRS Data Retrieval tool will allow students, and parents of dependent students, who have already filed tax returns and who complete their FAFSA on the web, to securely transfer their income and tax data from the IRS to their FAFSA.

As you complete your FAFSA online, you will be asked a series of questions regarding your tax filing status. If you are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool you will enter your FSA ID and password and then link to the IRS. Your FAFSA information will be saved and you'll be linked to the IRS website. On the IRS website simply enter the required information to validate your identity. Your tax return information will be displayed and you will be given the option to transfer your tax information into your FAFSA. Once the transfer has been completed you will be taken back to FAFSA on the web to finalize your FAFSA.

Being considered an independent student is not merely a matter of being responsible for your own educational expenses. You must be able to answer YES to at least one of the following questions to be declared an independent student for the purposes of the FAFSA:

  • Will you be 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year?
  • Are you married as of the date you fill out the FAFSA?
  • Will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (MA, MBA, DVM, PhD, EdD, etc) during the award year?
  • Are you currently serving on active duty in the US Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
  • Are you a veteran of the US Armed Forces?
  • Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you during the award year?
  • Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through the award year?
  • At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
  • Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
  • Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
  • At any time on or after July 1, 2022, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  • At any time on or after July 1, 2022, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  • At any time on or after July 1, 2022, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
If you are unable to answer “yes” to any of these questions and you cannot provide parental information for an unusual reason, you may petition for a waiver to be considered independent.
When you complete a FAFSA, you are automatically considered for a Pell Grant. If you meet eligibility guidelines as established by the federal government, a Pell Grant will be included as part of your total need-based aid package. 

CONTACT FINANCIAL AID

8am-5pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-12pm Friday (fall, winter, spring)
8am-5pm Monday-Thursday (summer)
360-623-8975 
ccfinancialaid@centralia.edu