Aid Eligibility

Your first step to financial aid is complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online and to include Bennett College’s school code (002911) so that our office receives your information.  You should complete a FAFSA as early as possible every after it opens on October 1st to ensure the maximum award.

Financial Need

Financial need is determined by:

  • Cost of Attendance
  • Expected Family Contribution
  • Outside Scholarships and Other Resources
  • Need for Financial Aid

The cost of attendance is determined each year by the college and includes not only tuition and fees, but also your room and board, books and supplies, travel expenses, and cost of living — in other words, the cost of being a student. This number is only for planning purposes and for determining your financial need, which will differ from your actual Bennett bill and will vary with each student. It is important to note, however, that the total amount of financial aid a student receives cannot exceed the cost of attendance.

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by the Department of Education using your FAFSA information. This is based on both your income and assets as well as your parents’ unless you are considered independent.

Verification

Verification is the process mandated by the U.S. Department of Education to ensure the accuracy of the data submitted by applicants for federal financial aid. The Office of Student Financial Aid is charged with the responsibility of requesting various documents needed to verify the applicant’s financial information.

If you are selected for verification for the current academic year, the documents you need to complete will be available on your account in BelleNet. Please be sure to check your email regularly until verification is complete because additional information may be required.

Our office prefers the use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on FAFSA to provide your tax return information. Alternatively, you may submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript. To request the IRS Tax Return Transcript, you may go to www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript and click “Get Transcript ONLINE” or “Get Transcript by MAIL.” Mailed transcripts will arrive seven to ten days after the request has been made. Please note an IRS Account Transcript is not the same as the IRS Return Transcript and will not be accepted.