The first step in applying for a financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for Federal grants, State aid and student loans.
Occasionally we will require additional information to finalize your aid. You will be notified in writing if the College needs you to complete any additional forms.
Deadlines are listed on the Financial Aid page.
Submitting the FAFSA
When completing the FAFSA please reference RMCAD's school code: 013991. Make sure your FAFSA is complete. Don't leave blanks. Answer “0”, “N/A”, or “None” as applicable.
We strongly encourage you to complete your FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov as it will dramatically reduce the processing time by the Department of Education.
Students and parents will each need a personal identification number (PIN) to sign the FAFSA electronically. If you or your parents do not have a PIN or cannot remember what it is you may apply for or retrieve it on the PIN website: http://www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN will not expire, so be sure to keep a record of your PIN for use in upcoming years.
Printed versions of the FAFSA are also available through the RMCAD Financial Aid Office, your high school guidance office, and at public libraries.
Results
Your FAFSA results will be issued in a document called the Student Aid Report or SAR. Copies will be email or mailed to you and to RMCAD. You should also read the comment page to check for errors or other issues that may delay your aid award.
If you have any questions, please contact us. You may also stop by the Financial Aid Office on the 3rd floor of the Texas Building during regular weekday hours.
How the FAFSA Works
The FAFSA looks at the student’s, the student’s spouse’s, and/or the student’s parent’s income, assets, and family information to determine what your family can reasonably be expected to contribute to the student’s education for the academic year.
This amount is called the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC will be shown in your Student Aid Report (SAR). The EFC is not the amount you will have to pay, but is a number used by the Financial Aid Office to calculate your eligibility for various kinds of financial assistance. RMCAD will receive this information directly from the Department of Education.
The formula used is:
Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
The Cost of Attendance is set by RMCAD and is based on federal and state guidelines. It includes amounts for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation.