Financial AidFrequently AskedQuestions

Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. Once it's submitted, it can take 7–10 days for you and Trinidad State to review your aid eligibility. Contact the financial aid office if you need help along the way.

Trinidad State's federal school code is 001368.

The SAI is a number generated from what you report on the FAFSA — income, family size, how many family members are attending college, and more. Trinidad State uses it to help determine how much aid you may be eligible for. (Source: studentaid.gov)

• Pell Grant — see the Grants page for details.
• Colorado Student Grant — see the Grants page for details.
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) — see the Grants page for details.
• Student loans — Subsidized loans are need-based and don't accrue interest while you're enrolled at least half time. Unsubsidized loans aren't need-based and accrue interest the entire time you're enrolled. Direct PLUS Loans let parents borrow toward their student's tuition, and don't accrue interest while the student is enrolled at least half time.
• Work-Study — a paid, on-campus or community position with a bi-monthly paycheck. You must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, be a resident, and have an active FAFSA for the current academic year. Contact the financial aid office or complete the Work Study Interest Form to express interest.

Yes — Trinidad State works with Sallie Mae for alternative (private) loans.

Yes. Submit a copy of your scholarship award letter to the financial aid office. Scholarship checks should be submitted to the Business Office.

Eligibility depends on what you report on the FAFSA and the Student Aid Index (SAI) it generates. Your enrolled credit hours also affect eligibility. Contact the financial aid office for details specific to your situation. (Source: studentaid.gov)

Log in to your Trinidad State Student Portal, click the "Financial Aid Award" icon, and select the academic year. All of your awards for that year are listed under "Aid Overview."

Financial aid needs additional information to verify what you reported on the FAFSA. You can find these requirements in your student portal under "Financial Aid Requirements," or contact the financial aid office. Outstanding requirements will delay your aid being awarded.

All financial aid awards are offered assuming full-time (12+ credit hour) enrollment. If you take fewer credit hours, your grant awards (Pell, CSG, and/or SEOG) will be prorated to the number of hours you're taking, which may be less than originally estimated. (Source: studentaid.gov)

Funds are disbursed after the census date of each semester. See the academic calendar for exact dates.

Aid is automatically applied toward tuition and fees after the census date of each semester.

If the financial aid you're receiving exceeds the tuition and fees you owe, you'll receive a refund for the difference to use toward other education-related expenses. (Source: studentaid.gov)

Once you become a student at Trinidad State, you'll receive instructions for setting up a BankMobile account. How and when you receive your refund depends on the option you choose. Contact the Business Office with any BankMobile questions.

Federal and state regulations require all financial aid recipients to meet specific academic standards called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), checked at the end of each term. With some exceptions for private and institutional funds, all types of financial aid (grants, loans, and work-study) are affected by this policy.

The three components of SAP are: a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above, a cumulative completion rate of 67% or above, and completing your degree or certificate within a maximum time frame — before attempting 150% of the credits needed for your program. (Source: studentaid.gov)

If you haven't met one or more SAP requirements — a 2.0 cumulative GPA, a 67% completion rate, or the maximum time frame for your program — you'll be placed on suspension, making you ineligible for aid for the semester you're attending.

You can complete an appeal, which is reviewed by the Director of Financial Aid and may be approved or denied. If approved, you'll be given terms to meet in order to keep receiving aid, and your status will be reviewed each semester to confirm those terms are being met. Find the appeal form under Forms, or contact the financial aid office for assistance.

Drop — unenrolling from a class before the census date (see the academic calendar). You won't be charged for classes you drop.

Withdraw — unenrolling from a class after the census date. You're still charged for classes you withdraw from.

As a financial aid recipient, you're expected to complete at least 67% of the classes you attempt and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Not completing a class, for any reason, can affect the aid you're currently eligible for and any future aid. Withdrawing may also require you to repay a portion of your funds to the Department of Education, known as a Return of Title IV Funds. See the Return of Title IV Funds page for details.