Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Understanding the FAFSA and the important dates associated with your enrollment at NICC is the key to your success.

2026-27 FAFSA Approximate Timeline

Understanding the FAFSA and the important dates associated with your enrollment at NICC is the key to your success.

2025-26 FAFSA Approximate Timeline

Refer to this FAFSA Help page for more tips and resources. The FAFSA has been made simpler over the last few years. Don't hesitate in completing this important first step in securing your college finances.

1. Be sure that you have applied to NICC for Admission and have been accepted into a degree program. Financial Aid eligibility can not be determined until your Admissions Application is complete.
   
   
2. Approximately one week after you submit your FAFSA, Federal Student Aid will email your estimates on the amount of federal financial aid that you may be eligible for based on your Student Aid Index (SAI).
   
   
3. NICC will notify you via your NICC email, once your FAFSA has been received by the Financial Aid Office.
   
   
4. Once you receive notification via email, you may log into Self Service for Students, accessible through MyCampus, and review your Financial Aid Checklist. The Checklist will walk you through the step by step process of completing your financial aid file.
   
   
5. If you have Required Documents to take action on, follow the links and submit the information to NICC as soon as possible. A Financial Aid Counselor is assigned to you to assist you in the enrollment process. You will find their name and contact information at the bottom of your Self Service Financial Aid page.
   
   
6. Once you have completed the steps in your Required Documents and NICC has finished reviewing and processing the information, we will notify you via email (your NICC email address) that your Financial Aid Offer is ready to review in Self Service Financial Aid.
   
   
7. Your Financial Aid Offer (Offer Letter) explains the estimated funding you may be eligible to receive based on full time enrollment (12 or more credits) for a typical academic year that includes two semesters (fall and spring). The actual amounts may vary due to:
   • Less than full-time enrollment - Enrollment level is based on the number of credits you enroll each semester and your amounts may be prorated 
   • Program of study - Certain academic programs qualify for state of Iowa Grants (Kibbie, Vo-Tech, Last Dollar Scholarship) 
   • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) - You must meet minimum GPA and completion requirements each semester
   • Other eligibility criteria - Contact Student Services for more specifics
     
     
8. Once you have registered for classes, any grant or scholarship money will be automatically applied to your tuition and fees. If students wish to use student loans to finance their education, additional steps are required to accept and receive loans.
   
   
9. View your student account balance in Self Service Student Finance in order to determine the cost per semester. Determine how much aid you have to pay towards your tuition and fees. If you do not have enough, be sure to seek out additional funding and/or sign up for the Nelnet Payment Plan. Be sure to make your payment prior to the tuition due date (approximately one week prior to the start of the semester).
   
   
10. NICC students can use extra financial aid to purchase textbooks, course materials and supplies through the NICC online bookstore. Students can also use excess financial aid for school supplies, tools, NICC apparel and Cafe giftcards at Cougar Store. You must have more accepted aid than your tuition and fee costs viewable on your account each semester