The financial aid process may look very different depending on a student’s age, high school graduation date, transfer status , degree level attainment, and numerous financial factors. Below you will find various steps involved in the financial aid process. Follow all steps and respond promptly to communications you receive from the Office of Financial Aid.

  1. Apply for a FSAID. If you are a high school graduate you will need to create an FSAID. This is your ID and password required to complete and sign all federal aid documents such as the FAFSA, Stafford Loan, and PLUS loan documents.If you are a transfer student you will already have an FSAID if you filed the FAFSA in previous years.
  2. File the FAFSA. All U.S. citizens must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families that do not qualify for federal aid may chose to waive filing the FAFSA in subsequent years.
  3. GA residents should file the application for the HOPE and GA Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG). In-state students may qualify for academic scholarships based on their high school GPA and/or SAT scores.
  4. Create a login for our campus aid management tool, NetPartner. Instructions for doing so can be accessed under the ‘Access My Financial Aid Information‘ link to your right.
  5. Complete all missing documents listed on your Financial Aid Documents tab in NetPartner. Check back routinely as additional documents may be added as you accept or decline aid.
  6. Accept or Decline aid in NetPartner. Your aid isn’t final until you accept the aid, or portions of aid, offered to you and you have completed all documents associated with each specific award. Check NetPartner regularly to see if new documents have been requested.
  1. Find your FSA ID. This is the ID and password required to complete and sign all federal aid documents such as the FAFSA, Stafford Loan, and PLUS loan documents.If you used federal financial aid as an undergraduate student you will already have an FSA ID. You can recover lost credentials by visiting the FSA ID website.
  2. File the FAFSA. If you intend to utilize the federal student loan program to assist in paying your tuition and fees, you must file the FAFSA. The FAFSA is available to all U.S. citizens. If you intend to pay your tuition and fees personally, you simply need to notify the Office of Financial Aid by signing a FAFSA Waiver. E-mail financialaid@ec.edu to have a waiver sent to you.
  3. Create a login for our campus aid management tool, NetPartner. Instructions for doing so can be accessed under the ‘Access My Financial Aid Information‘ link to your right.
  4. Complete all missing documents listed on your Financial Aid Documents tab in NetPartner. Check back routinely as additional documents may be added as you accept or decline aid.
  5. Accept or Decline aid in NetPartner. Your aid isn’t final until you accept the aid, or portions of aid, offered to you and you have completed all documents associated with each specific award. Check NetPartner regularly to see if new documents have been requested.