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Completing Your FAFSA

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Information About the 2025-2026 FAFSA

The FAFSA Simplification Act changed the FAFSA experience starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA. Students and families seeking federal financial aid for enrollment at Alpena Community College during the 2025 Fall, 2026 Spring, and 2026 Summer semesters should complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA.

We  anticipate a high volume of applications during January and February. The Department of Education has not released the Pell Grant information, which prevents the Financial Aid Office to provide or accurately provide award notices.

Overview of FAFSA Changes

The FAFSA Simplification Act provided a more streamlined application process, providing expanded student aid eligibility for many families.

Key changes include:

  • Individuals, now referred to as contributors, who must enter information on the student’s FAFSA include the student, the student’s spouse, the biological or adoptive parent, or the parent’s spouse (stepparent). Watch this quick video from Federal Student Aid to learn who will be considered a contributor on the FAFSA.
  • Students or parents will initiate the FAFSA and invite other contributors to complete their portion of the form. To invite a contributor, you must enter their name, date of birth, social security number, and email address. Collect this information now to simplify the process later.
  • Federal Tax Information (FTI)will be transferred directly from the IRS.
  • All contributors will be required to provide consent to their FTI being included on the FAFSA. Important! Declining consent will result in an incomplete FAFSA, and the student will be ineligible for federal student aid. Learn more about what it means to provide consent to the transfer of FTI data from FSA.
  • Students can submit their FAFSA to up to 20 schools and institutions, an increase from 10.
  • Students are able to view the status of their FAFSA via their StudentAid.gov account. If you have issues logging into your StudentAid.gov account, learn more about how to troubleshoot your StudentAid.gov account.

Once your application is submitted, the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) will generate the Student Aid Index (SAI), which will assist schools in determining the student’s eligibility for federal need-based financial aid. The SAI replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) component used in prior years.

Students will receive the results of their application via the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), formerly known as the Student Aid Report (SAR), via email.

How to Get Started

  1. All contributors can create an account on StudentAid.gov (FSA ID) now. It typically takes up to 3 days for your login to be processed. Learn how to create your FSA ID and how to access your account with this 3-minute video!
  2. Gather contact information for contributors who will need to supply information on the FAFSA. You will need full names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and email addresses for every individual required to report information on your FAFSA.

Helpful Videos from Federal Student Aid (FSA)

How-To Videos

FAQ Videos

U.S. Department of Education Resources

Current FAFSA filers will receive updates from the U.S. Department of Education.

FAFSA updates will be added to StudentAid.gov as they become available.

Information is subject to change without notice due to changes in federal, state, and/or institutional rules and regulations. Students must complete a FAFSA every year. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress to continue to receive financial aid.

Applying for Financial Aid

Alpena Community College determines and disburses financial aid in compliance with established Federal, State, and Institutional regulations and may change without notice. General eligibility requirements for aid include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent, GED certificate, or completed homeschooling
  • Be accepted for admission as a regular student and be completing a certificate or degree in an eligible program of study
  • Have financial need based upon the College’s Cost of Attendance, the student’s need as determined on the FAFSA, the program requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education or State authority
  • Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students may access the U.S. Department of Education’s website for further Federal financial aid requirements at https://studentaid.gov. In addition, the College’s Financial Aid Office can be contacted for further general information on eligibility, offer amounts, and all financial aid programs. If the student wants to know their eligibility, offer amounts, etc., the student needs to contact the Financial Aid Office using their ACC e-mail account or stop in the Financial Aid Office. It is the student’s responsibility to read and become familiar with policies and procedures and respond to all correspondence concerning financial aid. Failure to do so does not excuse a student from the requirements or policies necessary in administering aid programs.

When should I apply for Financial Aid?

You can start applying for Financial Aid on October 1 each year for the next academic year. ACC encourages students to apply for Financial Aid as soon as possible. Generally, completed applications received prior to March 1 may be given first priority for the next academic year. The deadline for Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters is the Final Registration day of the respective semester. Applications received after the deadline will be considered only if funds are still available.

Students must apply for financial aid each academic year of their college attendance.

What Year should I do my FAFSA for? For Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025, file a 2024-2025 FAFSA
For Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026, file a 2025-2026 FAFSA 

Sign Your FAFSA with Your FSA ID Using an FSA ID to sign and complete your FAFSA is the fastest way to process your FAFSA application. It is also the only way to access your data online. If you do not have an FSA ID, you will want to apply for one while completing the FAFSA.

If you are providing parent information, one parent must also sign your FAFSA. To sign electronically, your parent should also apply for an FSA ID within the FAFSA using a different phone number and e-mail address.

Who is considered my parent?

Do I have to include parental information?

It depends on whether you qualify as an independent student. Review the following information to find out:

Determining Independent Student Status »

What documents do I need? You will need records of income earned two years prior to when you will start school. You may also need records of your parent’s income information if you are a dependent student. For example, when completing your 2025-2026 FAFSA, you will need financial information from the 2023 tax year. You may need to refer to:

  • Your Social Security card. It is important that you enter your Social Security Number correctly!
  • Your state identification/driver’s license (if any)
  • Your W-2 forms and other records of money earned
  • Your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) Federal Income Tax Return
  • Your Parents’ Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
  • Your untaxed income records
  • Your current bank statements
  • Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records

Choosing a college to receive your information While completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must list at least one college to receive your information. You should list your first choice college first, second choice second, and so on; ACC’s Federal School Code: 002237 

Enter the Federal School Code for ACC in the Federal School Code box, then click the Add button.

WARNING: Families should NEVER pay to have their financial aid application processed.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at https://fafsa.gov.

View Filling Out Your FAFSA Tutorial - Seven Easy Steps to the FAFSA.

Entering ACC Freshman (first time enrolling in a college, includes dual enrolled & early college students)

  • Complete the ACC Application for Admission.
  • Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing ACC's Federal School Code (002237). Also available in Spanish. A paper FAFSA can be requested by calling 1-800-433-3243.
  • Have an official high school or GED transcript sent to ACC. If you are currently a high school senior, please submit a current transcript and then a final official transcript upon graduation.

If you have a high school diploma from another country, the transcript has to be evaluated by a third party to ensure it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma:

World Education Services (WES)
tel: 212.966.6311
fax: 212.739.6100
https://www.wes.org/

You may be required to take Accuplacer testing.

Apply for ACC Foundation Scholarships; the scholarship application will be available in January and are due on March 1st for the next academic year.

Transfer Student (attended any other college prior to enrollment at ACC)

  • Complete the ACC Application for Admission (even if you are a part-time student).
  • Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing ACC's Federal School Code (002237). Also available in Spanish. A paper FAFSA can be requested by calling 1-800-433-3243.
  • Please be aware that financial aid does not automatically transfer from one school to another. Contact the Financial Aid office if you have any questions, (989) 358-7286.
  • Have an official grade transcript sent to ACC from all college(s) you have previously attended.
  • Have an official high school or GED transcript sent to ACC.

If you have a high school diploma from another country, the transcript has to be evaluated by a third party to ensure it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma:

World Education Services (WES)
tel: 212.966.6311
fax: 212.739.6100
https://www.wes.org/

You may be required to take Accuplacer testing

Apply for ACC Foundation Scholarships; the scholarship application will be available in January and are due on March 1st for the next academic year.

Continuing Student (has completed at least one semester at ACC, excludes dual enrolled or early college students)

After completing the FAFSA, the United States Department of Education will then determine your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is an indicator of your family’s financial strength to pay for education. Your school will subtract your SAI from your total cost of attendance, which results in your financial need. This SAI determines eligibility for various federal and state financial aid programs. The federal processor will provide the applicant with a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), electronically, within 7 to 10 business days. Please review the SAR and make any necessary corrections. ACC’s Financial Aid Office will receive the Institutional Student Aid Report (ISAR) electronically within 7 to 14 business days.

VerificationVerification is the process the Central Processing Services Center, and your school uses to confirm the data reported on the FAFSA is accurate. The Central Processing Services center may select the student for verification, or the Financial Aid Office may require certain verification documents based on what was entered on the FAFSA. Schools have the authority to contact you for documentation that supports the information you reported on the FAFSA. If we need additional information, we will request this by mail through your current address on file at ACC, and will be available to view on Self-Service. You may download most required forms from the ACC website (www.alpenacc.edu) under Financial Aid Forms. Immediate responses to requests for information will help avoid delays in processing your financial aid. We may find additional information we need based on answers you have given on your FAFSA and or the previously requested documentation. The student will need to complete the verification process before an award package can be made. One school's verification documents will not satisfy ACC verification documents.

During peak times, processing may take up to 8 weeks. Remember, it is your responsibility to pay for your classes — regardless of the status of your financial aid.

How will I receive my financial aid? When the financial aid process is complete, the ACC Financial Aid Office will send an Offer Notice or Loan Only Notice to your current address on file at ACC. A Loan Only Notice tells the student they are only qualified for a student loan and how to apply for a Federal Direct Loan. Federal, State, and Institutional student aid are paid to students through the college.

Your Financial Aid information will also be available on your Self-Service account; click on “Award Letter.” The offer notice details your aid offer types and amounts as of the day it was printed, which will not include loan amounts. Your aid offers will be disbursed each semester printed on the offer notice. The college first applies your aid towards your tuition and fees.  Remaining credit balances will go toward rent at the College Park Apartments (if applicable) and then can be used at the on-campus bookstore (starting one week before classes start) to buy books and supplies. Any remaining credit balance, after tuition, fees, rent at College Park Apartments, and bookstore charges, is paid to you for other educational expenses (disbursement dates for balances will be enclosed with the offer notice). To use your credit balance at the bookstore, please provide the bookstore with your student I.D.

The FAFSA process does not always capture current circumstances. If you or your family is experiencing financial difficulties that resulted from a situation that occurred after the tax year entered on the FAFSA, we may be able to perform a special/unusual circumstance adjustment calculation for your financial aid. These situations may include loss/change of employment, separation or divorce, death (parent or spouse), unusually high medical expenses, or some other unforeseeable event that created financial hardship (including homelessness). You must write a letter to the ACC Financial Aid Office (665 Johnson Street, Alpena, MI 49707) requesting to be considered for the circumstance. You must include information describing the event/situation/hardship that led to the request and how that is different or worse than what was reported on the current FAFSA. Once the Financial Aid Office receives the letter, it will be determined if it is considered a special/unusual circumstance based on Department of Education Regulations. A special circumstance form along with other documents being requested will be sent out to be completed. The special circumstance form, documents, and any supporting documentation of the circumstance will need to be submitted back to the Financial Aid Office. Determinations will be made based on the Department of Education Regulations on a case-by-case basis and may take up to four weeks after all documents have been submitted. Results of the determination will be mailed to the student.