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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible for aid? To be eligible for federal student aid, you must meet several requirements. You must:

  • demonstrate financial need, except for some private loan programs.
  • have a high school diploma or GED.
  • be accepted or enrolled in an eligible program.
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  • have a valid Social Security Number.
  • meet satisfactory academic progress standards.
  • certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes and that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant.
  • comply with Selective Service registration requirements.

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How do I apply for federal student aid? To apply for federal financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You may complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or you may complete the paper version available in the Capitol College Financial Aid Office, high school guidance offices and local libraries.

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What is the FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid requires your family to submit financial information based on tax returns, bank accounts and other records to determine your eligibility for federal, state and Capitol College financial aid programs. Completing the form online will speed up the financial aid process. One of the most important steps in completing the FAFSA is to sign your application. There are three ways you (and your parents, if applicable) can sign the FAFSA:

  • You can electronically sign your FAFSA with your PIN. If you don't have a PIN, you can get on now at www.pin.ed.gov.
  • You can print a signature page from FAFSA on the Web, sign it and mail it to the provided address.

• Or you can submit your online FAFSA without signing. If you choose this option, the Department of Education will mail you a Student Aid Report that requests signatures. Sign and return the SAR immediately so Capitol College can process your FAFSA.

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What is a FAFSA PIN? A PIN is your personal identification number (and your parents', if you are a dependent). You will use this number in the future to correct your FAFSA, apply for aid and access your Department of Education records. You can get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Keep your PIN in a secure place, and don't give it out to anyone else. - top of page -

How does the FAFSA work? After you submit the FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education's Central Processing System, you will receive confirmation that your application has been received. It takes the Department of Education three to five business days to process your FAFSA, depending on whether you applied online or mailed in a paper FAFSA.

You will receive a Student Aid Report Information Acknowledgement if you applied online or a Student Aid Report if you applied using the paper FAFSA. Whether you applied online or by paper, the Department of Education will forward your data to Capitol College if you include the college's code-001436-on your FAFSA.

Many states, including the state of Maryland, use the financial information you provide on the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for state scholarship programs. Capitol College will also use your FAFSA information to assess your eligibility for our own scholarships.

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What is financial need? Most financial aid is awarded based on the financial need of the family. Need is based on a calculation that subtracts your expected family contribution from the cost of attendance.

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What is the cost of attendance? Your cost of attendance includes the following categories: tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and miscellaneous or unusual expenses.

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What is the expected family contribution? Your Expected Family Contribution, known as EFC, is calculated by the Department of Education based on the information you (and your parents, if applicable) submit on the FAFSA. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid as well as state and institutional scholarship and grant programs.

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How much financial aid will I need?

The following table gives you an idea of the possible cost to attend Capitol College as a full-time undergraduate. To determine estimated expenses for one semester, divide the budget in half.

Budget item Student living with parentStudent living on campusStudent living off campus
Tuition* $18,784 ($9,840 for business majors)$18,784 ($9,840 for business majors)$18,784 ($9,840 for business majors)
Fees*$572$620$572
Books/supplies*$1,000$1,000$1,000
Room/board$4,000#$5,998*$6,750
Transportation$1,400$1,100$1,400
Miscellaneous expenses$1,200$1,500$1,500
Total:$26,956 ($18,012 for business majors)$29,002 ($20,058 for business majors)$30,006 ($21,062 for business majors)

*The asterisk marks expenses that all enrolled students must pay to the college. Room applies only to students living in on-campus housing. # Estimated cost to parent.

Financial aid may be used to cover expenses related to your education: tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.

Non-degree certificate programs are not approved for federal, state or institutional aid. Private loans are the only aid available for these programs.

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Does Capitol College have scholarships available? Each full-time undergraduate degree applicant is considered for an institutional scholarship when applying for admission to the college. The Office of Admissions will send you notification of any awards.

A number of corporations and foundations have established scholarships at the college, which are awarded annually to continuing students who meet individual criteria and requirements. The requirements typically include academic merit, donor specifications and financial need. - top of page -

How will I receive my financial aid awards? After the last day for a 25 percent tuition refund, the financial aid staff reviews the enrollment status of each financial aid recipient. Most financial aid awards are prorated based on enrollment status. Only courses taken for a grade count toward enrollment status. After any adjustments are made, your Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Perkins Loans and institutional, corporate or foundation scholarship awards are automatically credited to your tuition and on-campus housing costs. You will receive a refund check if your financial aid is more than what you owe Capitol College.

Students receiving aid from the Federal Stafford Loan program will have funds credited to their accounts.

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What happens if I withdraw from all classes? If you withdraw from school, the amount of federal student aid assistance you've "earned" up to the day of withdrawal will be determined by a formula, as per federal regulations. If you received more assistance than you earned, the extra funds must be returned. See our Return of Aid Upon Withdrawl page.

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Can I pay my tuition in installments? Yes. The deferred payment plan, which costs a fee of $30, allows students to pay semester charges in three installments (after any financial aid has been deducted from the bill). The first payment is due at the time of registration. The second payment is due approximately 30 days after the semester begins. The third payment is due approximately 60 days after the start of the semester. Contact the Business Office for more information. Its phone numbers are 301-369-2800,

  • ext. 3007 for undergraduate billing
  • ext. 3008 for graduate billing
  • ext. 3009 for accounts payable
The email address is businessoffice {at} capitol-college.edu.