Steps to apply for Financial Aid at HFC
Step 1: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Submit the FAFSA online at www.studentaid.gov.
- Make every effort to submit your FAFSA by the Financial Aid Priority Date;
- Create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). Each “contributor” to the FAFSA must have their own FSA ID. For 2024-2025, a contributor may include: parent, step-parent or spouse of student.
- Anyone required to submit information on the FAFSA must have their own FSA ID in order to electronically sign the FAFSA;
- Be sure to list the HFC school code, 002270, on the FAFSA;
Step 2: Submit your official high school diploma or GED to Henry Ford College.
To receive financial aid, you must earn your high school diploma, your General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or have successfully completed an approved home-school program. You must have your official transcripts sent to the HFC Office of Admissions, and the transcripts must come directly from the school or office from which you graduated. Request that your transcript be sent to the HFC Office of Records and Registration.
Your high school transcript must specify that you have graduated from high school and earned a diploma. If you completed high school but did not earn a diploma, you will not be eligible for federal financial aid (but you may be eligible for state financial aid programs, including TIP).
Step 3: Submit additional documents, if required.
In addition to the FAFSA, sometimes you are required to submit other required documents so the Office of Admissions is able to complete your file review and award your financial aid. Other documentation that may be required includes:
- Summer Financial Aid Application: Students who will be attending the Summer semester must submit the Summer HFC Financial Aid Application. This is available beginning in late January and can be found with our other Financial Aid Forms. These applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis;
- Financial Aid Suspension Appeal: Students who are on financial aid suspension are not eligible to receive federal aid. If you are eligible and want to appeal for consideration to receive financial aid, you must submit the Financial Aid Suspension Appeal Form; and
- Verification Documentation: Once your FAFSA has been received, you may be notified that you were selected for a process called verification. Please refer to our verification section for specific information regarding this process.
Step 4: If Steps 1-4 are not complete by the Financial Aid Priority Date, make arrangements to pay for your classes or set up an installment plan so your classes are protected until your financial aid is awarded.
Be sure your FAFSA and any other required documents are submitted by the Financial Aid Priority Date. Otherwise, you will need to pay for your classes or set up a payment plan to avoid de-registration while awaiting your financial aid award letter.
Step 5: Await notification.
Once your information has been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will send an award notification to your address listed in our system.
Step 6: Accept award(s).
You can review and accept or reject your financial aid awards by viewing your Financial Aid Checklist in the Student Portal.