Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the federal school code for Dakota County Technical College?
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- How do I complete the FAFSA?
- I live on my own. Why do I need to provide my parents' income and asset information on the FAFSA?
- I have completed the FAFSA. What happens next?
- How do I get a student loan?
- What if the Stafford Student Loan doesn't cover all my expenses?
- What other sources of financial aid are available?
- I have questions about Scholarships and Financial Aid that are not covered here. Who can help me?
Q: What is the federal school code for Dakota County Technical College?
A: 010402.
topQ: How do I apply for financial aid?
A: The financial aid application process begins with the student completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
topQ: How do I complete the FAFSA?
A: You may complete the FAFSA on the web at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. You may also obtain the FAFSA from the Financial Aid Office at Dakota County Technical College or your local high school counseling office. We highly recommend using the FAFSA on the web site, but you may submit the completed form to the Federal Student Aid Programs using the envelope attached to the application.
topQ: I live on my own. Why do I need to provide my parents' income and asset information on the FAFSA?
A: The answers to questions 48 through 54 on the FAFSA determine whether you will be required to provide your parents' information. If you are required to answer "no" to all seven of these questions, you are considered to be "dependent" by the U.S. Department of Education. You must then provide income and asset information from your parents, and obtain a signature from one of your parents.
If you are required to answer "Yes" to any of these seven questions, you are considered "independent" by the U.S. Department of Education. You must then provide income and asset information on the FAFSA for you, and your spouse if you are married.
Determination of whether you are "dependent" or "independent" has NOTHING to do with being claimed on parent's taxes, or the student living on their own. It is determined solely by the answers to these seven questions.
topQ: I have completed the FAFSA. What happens next?
A: After completing and submitting the FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will issue a Student Aid Report to you, either by mail, or via a secure link if you provided an email address on the FAFSA. At approximately the same time, the SAR information will be sent to the colleges you listed in Step Six of the FAFSA. If you have listed Dakota County Technical College, federal school code 010402, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will receive the results of your application. Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will then issue an award letter to you listing your grant eligibility, if any, and your student loan eligibility.
topQ: How do I get a student loan?
A: Students wishing to make use of the federal and state student loan programs must first complete the FAFSA. When the results of this application are received by the college, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will notify you of your eligibility for participation in the loan programs. You must then complete a separate loan application on the web.
topQ: What if the Stafford Student Loan doesn't cover all my expenses?
A: There are additional loan programs that may be available to you or your parents. Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for more information.
topQ: What other sources of financial aid are available?
A: In addition to applying for federal and state financial aid programs, students should be sure to complete the Dakota County Technical College and the Dakota County Technical College Foundation scholarship application. The college and the college foundation make over $110,000 in scholarships available to students each year. These applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.
Students should also periodically check the bulletin board across the hall from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for postings of scholarships made available throughout the year by outside organizations. Additional questions regarding other sources of aid should be directed to the Financial Aid Office staff.
topQ: I have questions about Scholarships and Financial Aid that are not covered here. Who can help me?
A: The staff in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will be happy to answer your questions. Stop by and visit us. We are located in room 2-202 near the main entrance. Call us at 651.423.8299. Email us at finaid@dctc.mnscu.edu.
If there is something you do not understand about scholarships or financial aid, don't struggle. Ask us. We will do our best to help you.