Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)
FAFSA
Q. I filled out the FAFSA, what do I do next?
Have you contacted the school to apply for our Cosmetology program? You can submit through the website or come directly to one of our Open Houses.
Due to the high volume of FAFSAs sent to us, we generally only evaluate the federal student aid eligibility of students who express a serious interest in our program and have been accepted. If you are concerned and wish to discuss your eligibility before that point, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid to schedule an appointment.
We also encourage prospective students to check out our scholarship page to see if there are any outside grants or scholarships they would like to apply for.
Q. Which FAFSA do I fill out?
If you intend to attend classes between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, you will need to complete a 2023-24 FAFSA.
Q. What’s my college grade level for the FAFSA?
Select your grade level based on your hours with Creative Hair School of Cosmetology at the start of the award year (July 1st):
1-900 hours: 1st Year Undergraduate - never attended college OR 1st Year Undergraduate - attended college before (depending on your college history)
901-1500 hours: 2nd Year Undergraduate/sophomore
Q. What college degree/certificate am I working on for the FAFSA?
Certificate or diploma (occupational, technical or education program of less than two years)
Q. I don’t live with my parents, do I need to report their information on the FAFSA?
If you are a dependent student, then yes. In some special circumstances, a dependent student may qualify for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, or for a Dependency Override, but that will require additional documentation. See https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info for more information regarding parent information, and https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency to see if you are a dependent student.
Q. My parents are divorced or separated, which parent do I report on the FAFSA?
Check here: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info. Follow the instructions for the FAFSA, even if you are claimed as a dependent on a different parent’s taxes. The IRS dependency rules are different from the U.S. Department of Education’s.
Q. I can’t log into the FAFSA.
Please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Q. I haven’t filed federal taxes for 2021. Can I still fill out a 2023-24 FAFSA?
You can fill it out, just report whether you intend to file, your income earned from work (if any) for 2021, and accurate information regarding your sources of support (read the FAFSA questions regarding additional financial income and untaxed income carefully to see if anything should be included).
If you were required to file federal taxes in the reported year and you haven’t, you will be unable to receive federal student aid until that has been resolved. (Generally, by filing your taxes. If you have an extension from the IRS, make sure you bring proof to the Office of Financial Aid, and we’ll give you instructions.
Filing Requirements for 2021
Do I Need to File a Tax Return? (2019, 2020, or 2021 tax years)
Q. I filed taxes, but can’t find a copy of my tax return. What should I do now?
You can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the FAFSA to import your data. Just make sure you remember the address and filing status you reported at that time! If you need your tax return information for other reasons, you can request an IRS Tax Return Transcript at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.
Q. I filed taxes, but I can’t use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
There are a few possibilities. First, if you can, check your taxes to make sure your name, SSN, and address were spelled correctly. Second, are you checking the filing status you reported on that year’s taxes? (For instance, if you reported Single on your taxes, and select Head of Household in the FAFSA, it will produce an error.) Third, is there a conflict between your current marital status and the marital status reported on your taxes? (For instance, are you currently Divorced, but your taxes were filed as Married Filing Jointly?) If you’ve checked, try contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at: 1-800-433-3243.
If that doesn’t work, you may have to manually enter your tax information. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for an appointment if you have trouble - bring your FSA ID, federal tax return or IRS tax return transcript, including all schedules (supplementary documents that go with the tax return), and any amended tax returns.
Defaulted Student Loans
Q. I’m in default, can I still apply for financial aid?
You cannot receive Federal Student Aid until you clear your default. Please contact the Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115 to clear your default. NEW!: You may be able to reestablish eligibility for Federal Student Aid under the Fresh Start initiative.
You may be able to receive outside grants or scholarship aid.
Q. How long does it take to clear a default?
It varies, but typically you will be required to make 9-10 monthly payments. The details will depend on terms of your arrangement with the Default Resolution Group. For more information on getting out of default, see https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/default/get-out
Having a lien placed against your tax return or other involuntary payments will probably not count!
VA, State Aid, and Other Financial Aid Programs
Q. I have VA educational benefits. Can I use them at Creative Hair School?
No, sorry! Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to locate a VA-approved school.
Q. I have TIP, Futures for Frontliners (F4F), or other State of Michigan grant or scholarship funds. Can I use them at Creative Hair School?
No, sorry! Michigan Student Aid funds can usually only be used at public universities, community colleges, and/or non-profit independent colleges. Go to the MI Student Aid Programs page and open the Fact Sheet for any program you qualify for to find a list of participating schools.
Q. I have a Segal AmeriCorps Award. Can I use it at Creative Hair School?
Yes! Contact us to let us know you want to use it to pay for all or part of your education.
Tuition & Fees
Q. What is the Cost of Attendance? Is that what I will be charged?
No. Cost of Attendance is an estimate of everything it will cost to attend our school during an award year. It includes Direct Costs (costs that Creative Hair School charges you directly, like tuition - listed on the Enrollment Agreement) and Indirect Costs (costs that we don’t charge you, but that you need to attend school, such as rent, food, and transportation).
Every school’s Cost of Attendance will be different. The Cost of Attendance generally serves as an upper limit for a student’s financial aid - you may receive less than the full Cost of Attendance in financial aid, but you won’t get more!