Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ph: (406) 771-4334
Location: Student Central
Complete the FAFSA
FAFSA School Code: 009314
Federal Student Aid Estimator
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid you may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index number used to determine federal student aid eligibility.
FAFSA Resources
Tips for filling out the FAFSA: Filling Out the FAFSA® Form | Federal Student Aid
FAFSA help – find answers to common questions: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help
FAFSA Help Videos
Check out a variety of helpful videos on the FSA/FAFSA YouTube Channel: Federal Student Aid – YouTube
Military & Veteran Education Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What steps do I take to use my GI Bill® at Great Falls College?
In order to use your GI Bill® you must:
- Be enrolled in classes
- Have an eligibility determination from the Veterans Administration.
The steps to enroll at Great Falls are described here.
To receive an eligibility determination (Certificate of Eligibility) from the Veterans Administration, the student must complete an online application at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. Contact the Veterans Coordinator for assistance in completing the application.
In making its determination, the Veterans Administration will review the veteran’s military record for dates of duty and the nature of the discharge. The veteran can expect to receive a Certificate of Eligibility in 6-8 weeks; processing is delayed during peak volume times.
What programs at Great Falls College are approved for the GI Bill®?
The Montana State Approving Agency has approved all Great Falls College credit-bearing programs for enrollment of those eligible to receive GI Bill® education benefits.
What classes can I take?
The Veterans Administration rules require a student be degree seeking. Your academic advisor at GFC will make sure you are taking courses that are required to complete the program you have chosen. If you decide to change your program of study, your academic advisor can help with that.
The VA will not pay to repeat any courses that you completed successfully (letter grades of A, B, C or D) UNLESS the course requires a specific minimum grade. The Great Falls College course descriptions specify minimum grade requirements, if any.
The VA will pay for developmental courses (lower than 100 level), so long as the student’s placement test results show the course is needed AND the course is taken in-person.
Does the VA allow online courses?
Yes, in most circumstances. The VA does require developmental courses (lower than 100 level) be taken in person. If a student enrolls in an online developmental class, that course will not be certified for VA benefit use.
Also, if a Chapter 33 Post-9/11 student is enrolled ONLY in online courses the monthly allowance is not based on the Great Falls BAH rate, but a lower national number is used
How does the Veterans Administration know I am enrolled in school?
The Great Falls College Veterans Coordinator is the certifying official. The certifying official reports enrollment information to the Veterans Administration electronically each term. The Veterans Coordinator will only report your enrollment to the VA if a Certification Request form has been submitted to the Financial Aid office for the term.
The VA will send a letter to the student after processing the “claim” each semester. The letter will specify the time period and amount of benefits for the term. It will also notify the student how many months of eligibility remain AFTER the current term.
What happens if my enrollment changes during the term?
The Veterans Coordinator monitors your enrollment throughout the term. Adding classes, dropping classes, or withdrawing from the term will be reported to the VA. Students should report any changes in enrollment to the GFC Veterans Coordinator as soon as possible.
Generally, decreasing your enrollment or withdrawing from school will result in an overpayment from the VA and require the student to repay money received. The Veterans Coordinator can advise the student of the process with the VA.
Can I receive federal financial aid even though I receive VA benefits?
Yes! Federal financial aid eligibility is determined using income and household size information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrollment status. It is not affected by the student receiving VA education benefits.
It is suggested that all students apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA process. Students always have the opportunity to decline federal aid that has been offered.
Does the amount of credits I enroll in affect my benefit amount?
Yes, the enrollment status affects the benefit amount.
For Chapter 30, 35, 31, and 1606 the VA pays at a training time rate based on your enrollment.
For Chapter 33, the housing benefit is based on the rate of pursuit which is determined by your enrollment.
Enrollment status (full time, ¾ time, ½ time) varies based on the total number of semester credits and how the credits are split between the two 8-week blocks in a 16 week semester. Summer Semester calculation varies depending on length of the summer session. Contact the Great Falls College Veterans Coordinator for questions regarding enrollment requirements with the 8 week blocks and Summer Semester.
When can I expect to receive payments?
How can I find out more information about my payment status?
You may contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551. Their hours are 6am – 5pm Mountain Time, Monday through Friday.
Financial Aid Department
Call
Call: (406) 771-4334
Business Hours
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
