Financial aid is available to those who qualify. We’re here to help you understand what you need to know to fund your education.
The following links will help you find the information you need to finance your education.
Types of Financial Aid and General Financial Aid Information
Financial aid information (including grants and loans) is published online and in printed materials. Visit our financial aid pages for information on the different types of aid offered.
Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Financial Aid
To contact a financial aid representative at the school, you can call (828) 277-5521 or come by the financial aid office.
Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
For information about eligibility requirements for federal student aid programs, please click here.
Preferred Lender Arrangements
South College - Asheville does not have preferred lender arrangements.
Private Education Loans Overview
Private alternative education loans are offered by private lending institutions and are not subsidized by a government agency. Alternative education loans are not to be used as a substitution for federal financial aid loans. Alternative education loans are intended to provide additional funding for your education after all federal loans are sought. You may check with your own lending institution about applying for a private loan. To find out more about these loans, click here.
Student Lending Code of Conduct for Education Loans
To view our student lending code of conduct for education loans, please click here.
Financial Aid Literacy
South College recommends that students prepare for college and the related expenses by attending a Financial Literacy Program.
Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Your PIN# is used for electronic signatures for federal aid. In order to ensure the most timely processing of your federal aid, it is necessary that you first register for your personal identification number online at the Department of Education's PIN registration site. If you are a dependent student, your parents will also need to apply for a PIN#. You (and your parent if necessary) may apply for a PIN# or recall a PIN# at www.pin.ed.gov.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Anyone wishing to apply for federal and state aid must complete the FAFSA. Please note:
- A FAFSA will need to be filled out for each academic year that you want to apply for financial aid.
- You may be requested to fill out multiple forms dependent on the time of year that you begin or continue classes.
- The FAFSA website may allow you to sign your FAFSA at the time of completion if you sign with your PIN#.
- A tutorial for the FAFSA is offered here.
- South College - Asheville's institution code is 010264.
- Be sure to remember to e-sign your FAFSA using your PIN#. Signing electronically will speed up the processing of your financial aid package and subsequent award acceptance.
- Be sure you have successfully completed your FAFSA submission. You will receive an e-mail confirmation if you have submitted the FAFSA correctly. You do not need to fax or email a copy of your FAFSA to South College - Asheville. It will be automatically sent to South Collge - Asheville if you enter our institution code (010264) in the section that shows which colleges you wish to receive your FAFSA.
- Those students who have previously completed a FAFSA and know their PIN number can elect to complete the abbreviated renewal FAFSA on the web. If this applies, you will have the option to sign your FAFSA electronically. If using the renewal FAFSA, please make sure to update any pertinent information.
- If you are married but filing separately, add each of your sections from your tax returns together before entering your total for each question.
- Do not go to FAFSA.com!!!! This site is not the official FAFSA site and will charge you to fill out a FAFSA. Go to www.fafsa.gov instead.
- If you have any questions regarding filling out your FAFSA, your can go to www.studentaid.ed.gov or call 800-433-3243.
Master Promissory Note for Student Loan Borrowers (MPN)
Before receiving a student loan at South College - Asheville, borrowers must complete a master promissory note. This quick and easy note is required and is the students promise to repay the government for their federal direct student loans. The MPN may be found on the student loans web site.
- A step-by-step guide on how to complete the MPN process is offered here.
Master Promissory Note for Parent PLUS Loan Borrowers (PMPN)
A PLUS loan is a loan for which parents of dependent students apply. Before receiving a parent PLUS loan, borrowers must apply for the parent PLUS loan online, and if approved, complete a a parent PLUS master promissory note. This quick and easy session is required and is where a parent promises to repay their parent PLUS direct loan that they are taking out for their student. The PMPN session may be found on the student loans web site.
- A step-by-step guide on how to apply for a parent PLUS loan and PMPN is offered here.
- If approved, and the MPN is completed, you will also be required to fill out an amount to borrow form.
Entrance (Initial) Counseling for Student Loan Borrowers
Before receiving a student loan, first-time borrowers must complete an entrance counseling session. This quick and easy interactive counseling session provides useful tips and tools to help you develop a budget for managing your educational expenses and helps you to understand your loan responsibilities. This entrance counseling session can be found on the student loans web site.
- A step-by-step guide on how to complete the entrance counseling process is offered here.
Exit Counseling for Student Loan Borrowers
If you have received federal loans and you drop below 6 credit hours per quarter, leave, or graduate, you must complete exit counseling Direct loan exit counseling will explain your rights and responsibilities as a direct loan borrower. Exit counseling information is also located on the student loans web site. You will need to have your Social Security number and your PIN number ready in order to log into this portion of the site.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
When a borrower receives federal loans, the loan provider must submit that information to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Information in NSLDS is accessible to schools, lenders, and guarantors that are authorized users of the data system. Your aid at South College - Asheville may be affected if:
- you are in a current academic year at another college,
- you are in default on a student loan,
- you are at your student loan/grant limits.
The Department of Education selects about 30% of Student Aid Reports (SARs) for verification. The Financial Aid Office may also choose a FAFSA for verification in order to resolve any questionable or conflicting information. If this happens, the financial aid office will request certain documentation, not limited to a verification worksheet, tax returns, W2's and other information.
To find out more about state grant assistance, please call the Financial Aid Office at (865) 251-1800 . Please note that state grants typically apply to undergraduate degrees at non-profit state schools.
Student Loan Information Published by the Department of Education
Additional information about financial aid can be found by visiting Department of Education Tools and Resources and the Department of Education Publications.
Information on Loan Consolidation, Repayments, Calculators, Difficulty Making Payments, Etc.
Additional information about financial aid, loan consolidation, loan repayments, loan calculators, loan discharge, difficulty making payments, loan forgiveness, etc. can be found on the student loans web site.
Certain veterans and dependents of veterans are eligible to receive financial assistance for education training from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Students or applicants may also contact the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office (800-827-1000) or go to www.gibill.va.gov for more information.
