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How to Apply?

Applying for financial aid begins with submitting a  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)..  

Para solicitar ayuda federal para estudiantes, debes someter la FAFSA (Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes) vía la página web https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid.

The FAFSA will ask for information about you and potentially about your parent(s).  Please visit https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out for information on whether you'll need to provide parental information on your FAFSA.

Depending on your circumstances (for instance, when you filed taxes or what tax form you used), you might need the following information or documents as you fill out the FAFSA:

  • Social Security number(s)
  • Your driver’s license number, if you have one
  • Your Alien Registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
  • Federal tax information, including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married) and for your parents if you are a dependent student:
    • IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ and 1099(s)
    • Foreign tax return and/or
    • Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau
  • Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student
  • Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate but not including the home in which you live; and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student

While you are not required to have an FSA ID to complete and submit a FAFSA on the Web application, it is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed.  

Visit https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing to obtain a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (i.e. username and password) for you [and your parent(s) if you're dependent].

Log in to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to start or renew your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Apply for admission to Gulf Coast State College.

Be sure to select a degree/certificate that is eligible for Federal Student Aid

Register for classes by following the steps outlined at https://www.gulfcoast.edu/tuition-aid/financial-aid/documents-forms/misc/registering-for-classes.pdf.

Regularly monitor your Gulf Coast State College student email (...@my.gulfcoast.edu) and your My Student Dashboard account by visiting https://mygcsc.gulfcoast.edu 

  • Important updates, notifications, and Financial Aid correspondence will be sent to your official Gulf Coast State College student email address
  • Requirements needed to review and process your Financial Aid will be posted to your My Student Dashboard account
When a Student is Attending College When a Student Can Submit a FAFSA What FAFSA need to be submitted? Which Year's Income/Tax Information is Required
Fall 2022, Spring 2023, or Summer 2023 semesters October 1st, 2021 till June 30th, 2023 2022-2023 2020
Fall 2023, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024 semesters From October 1st, 2022 till June 30th, 2024 2023-2024 2021
Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 semesters From December 2023 till June 30th, 2025 2024-2025 2022
Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.