1
Become a TVCC Student
You must complete your admissions before aid can be awarded to those who qualify. You can begin here by filling out your application, or head over to TVCC's "Get Started" checklists for a more comprehensive list of admission steps.
TVCC will require some additional things from you to complete your student file before releasing you to qualify for aid, if eligible, and register for classes.
- Transcripts (GED, high school, college and/or military).
- TSI Scores (degree seeking students will be required to submit college readiness documentation).
- Bacterial Meningitis Shot Record (applies to students under the age of 22).
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2
Create an FSA ID and Fill out the FAFSA
When it is time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, the first you will need is to create an FSA ID. Both students and parents of dependent students will need an FSA ID to complete and sign the FAFSA.
Both students and parents of dependent students will need to completely fill out and sign the FAFSA. Be sure to list TVCC on your FAFSA so that we can receive your information, typically in 3-5 business days. The code for TVCC is 003572. Those applying after the priority deadline may experience delayed processing.
The FAFSA form applies to a single academic year, so you need to submit a new FAFSA form each year. At TVCC, our academic year starts in the Fall (August) and end in the Summer (July).
Need help completing the FAFSA? Visit www.studentaid.gov , or watch this instructional video using your browser or mobile app.
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3
Meet with Advising
The FAFSA will tell us if you qualify for aid, but before Financial Aid can process any aid you might qualify for, you must declare a major and register for classes. You must meet with an academic advisor to complete these steps. Financial Aid can not process your aid package until you have a valid major/degree plan.
4
Check your Financial Aid Status
A student’s financial aid status and eligibility is available online through My Cardinal Connect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are having trouble accessing your My Cardinal Connect please contact our IT Department, IT Services .
Successfully completing your FAFSA will trigger a notification to the email address you used to fill out the FAFSA. All TVCC notifications will go to your student Cardinal Email and your My Cardinal Connect student portal (TVCC has login assistance available for new users). The Financial Aid Office may have to request additional steps or information from you; prompt responses will expedite the process. In the event that you do need to provide further documents, you can find many of the appropriate forms on our Awarding Process/Forms page.
5
View and Accept your Aid Offers through My Cardinal Connect
Once your financial aid has fully processed, any aid you meet eligibility for will be offered via your My Cardinal Connect student portal. You should accept the aid you wish to receive within your portal in a timely manner. There may be more than one type of aid available to you; some types of will require further action on your part. Your My Cardinal Connect will prompt you to complete these steps within the "Financial Aid" module.
Once you have completed the process of applying for aid, you should be able to see your aid being applied to your balances on your tuition statement.
The FAFSA form applies to a single academic year. That means you need to submit a new FAFSA form each year. At TVCC, our academic year starts in the Fall (August) and end in the Summer (July). Begin the aid process early so that it is completed well before TVCC's priority processing deadlines.
Semester:
Priority Processing Deadline:
When the FAFSA is Available:
Fall
July 1
October of the previous year
Spring
November 1
October of the year prior to last
Summer
April 1
October of the year prior to last
The award year for federal student aid runs from July 1 of each year, through June 30 of the following year. Which years application you need to submit will depend on when you plan to begin your enrollment.
Fall: Students beginning enrollment during a fall semester, should fill out the application that begins with the year of that semester, and stretches into the following year. For example, if you wish to begin enrollment in the fall of 2025, you will apply for the 2025-2026 award year.
Spring: Students beginning enrollment during a spring semester, should fill out the application that began with the year prior to that semester, and stretches into the current year. For example, if you wish to begin enrollment in the spring of 2025, you will apply for the 2025-2026 award year.
Summer: Don't let this one trick you! Students beginning enrollment during a summer semester, should fill out the application that began with the year prior to that semester, and stretches into the current year. For example, if you wish to begin enrollment in the summer of 2025, you will apply for the 2024-2025 award year. This is because summer aid trails at the end of the award year.