Applying For & Maintaining Your Financial Aid

We know the financial aid process can be confusing, so we've outlined the application process in four simple and easy to understand steps.

And remember, if at any point you have questions or concerns, the Office of Financial Aid is always available to help either virtually or on any of our five campuses.

Step 1: Create an FSA ID

An FSA ID is your username and password combination that you use to log in to certain Department of Education Websites and to electronically sign your FAFSA.

FSA ID website | FSA ID Video

If you’re a dependent student, your parents must also obtain an FSA ID.

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA as early as possible

To assist you in completing the FAFSA, The Office of Financial Aid offers FAFSA workshops to help complete the FAFSA. You can also visit our offices for assistance | View FAFSA workshops

Why is filling the FAFSA so important?

Colleges uses your FAFSA data to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid, including grants and scholarships.

The Palm Beach State College federal school code is 001512

Complete your FAFSA | FAFSA Video

Important information needed to complete FAFSA:

Date of birth
Your Social Security number (It is important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA) It should also match the SSN you provided on your Admissions application
Your parents’ Social Security numbers (if you are a dependent student)
Your driver’s license number (if you have one)
Your Alien Registration number (if you are an eligible non-citizen)
Income and Income Tax information (For the 2024-2025 academic year, you will need your 2022 tax information)
Asset information if applicable. Do not leave blank. If not applicable, enter zeroes

* It is important to apply early as some funds are limited and are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

Don’t forget to reapply each year, financial aid is not renewed automatically. The FAFSA opens on October 1 of each year.

Step 3: Check your application and award status

Check your financial aid application status through your Workday student portal.

Once you have successfully completed and submitted the FAFSA, it could take 3-5 business days to process by the federal processor.
Once your FAFSA is processed, the schools you listed will receive a copy electronically.
Be sure to check your financial aid application status through your Workday student portal.
Complete any Action Items/Verification in Workday.
Your FAFSA may be selected for a process called Verification. There will be additional information you will need to submit to complete this process. You will have Action Items in your Workday portal indicating what is needed to complete the verification process.

Step 4: Review and respond to your award

If no additional information is needed, the Office of Financial Aid will update your account with your approved financial aid in Workday.
You can view your financial aid awards by logging into your Workday student portal.
In your Workday portal, you can reduce or decline your loans. If you decide not to borrow your awarded student loans, please decline in Workday.

Maintaining Your Financial Aid

Your financial aid awards may be reduced or rescinded if you change enrollment status, withdraws during the semester, takes courses outside your degree program, never attend classes, or are not in good academic standing.

Monitor your Financial Aid status and awards in Workday.
The number of credit hours you are registered for can impact the amount of financial aid you receive.
Register for courses that apply to your current program of study.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Know the consequences of withdrawing - especially if you're receiving federal financial aid. View Return to Title IV Policy (R2T4)