Financial Aid Checklist for Accepted Students

If you plan to apply for ANY form of financial aid (loans, scholarships, graduate assistantships, etc.), please use this checklist to guide you through the application process.

In preparation, please read all of the material on the financial aid pages. These pages include information on applying for student loans and graduate assistantships, websites for scholarship information and federal and local guidelines. Questions about what you read and the checklist can be directed to our financial aid administrator.

When you are ready to reserve your space in the program to which you have been admitted, you may do so at any time by paying the $200 Enrollment Deposit. This is your commitment to enroll and will be applied to your first quarter tuition and fees. It is fine to wait to pay the deposit until you have received your financial aid package letter. However, the sooner you pay it, the more secure your slot.

Financial Aid Checklist for Accepted Students

1. Complete the FAFSA, which is required for obtaining federal student loans as well as SWC scholarships. Completing the FAFSA online is quick and relatively easy. Southwestern College’s school code. It is 030761.
2. Explore Graduate Assistantships and apply if you wish. 
3. Choose a program planner. Program planners help you understand which classes to take when and how long it will take you to finish your program. View the M.A. in Counseling program plan options. View the M.A. in Art Therapy/Counseling program plan options. Questions? Dru Phoenix at 505-467-6815 or Brenda Cruz-Flores at 505-467-6591 can answer your questions and help you choose a program planner that matches your needs.
4. If you are awarded a graduate assistantship, Enrollment Services will generate and mail a Financial Aid Package letter to inform you. This could happen anytime between the time you submit your application to mid-June.
5. The Letter of Award is generated by the Financial Aid office and allows us to process your federal student loan, disburse your funding for tuition, and disperse funds to you, if applicable. The Letter of Award is generated in early July and will be sent to the address listed on your FAFSA. You must sign and return this letter to the Financial Aid office before registration. 
6. Disbursement of financial aid usually happens at the beginning of the first week of classes. In order for disbursement to occur, you must ACCEPT the Award in Populi before registration.