Complete the FAFSA for more financial aid opportunities.

Getting the financial assistance you need all starts with you filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.  The federal government uses the FAFSA to determine how much your family can contribute to your educational expenses.

Students enrolling in the Fall of 2025 will complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA. This uses tax information from the tax year 2023. So, make sure your 2023 taxes have been filed.

PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE Federal School Code

003445

Use this code on your FAFSA to have results sent to Presbyterian College.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Gather Required Documents

You will need to know the student’s and parent(s)’ legal name, date of birth, social security number, and valid email address.

Decide Who Will Be Contributors

Contributors are the student, student spouse (if married), parent and other parent.

The “other parent” is needed if marital status is Not Married, but Living Together or tax filing status is Married and Filing Separately.

Create Your FSA ID

All contributors described above will need to create FSA IDs to sign and submit the FAFSA online.

Keep these tips in mind when creating your FSA IDs:

  • Parent(s) will need their own, separate username and password (FSA ID). Students should make sure they’re using their own information when creating their FSA ID.
  • Only one verified phone number can be linked to an account, so students should not enter a parent’s number.
  • Students should avoid using a school email for their account. Students may need their FSA ID for loan repayment after they graduate from high school.
  • Students should link an email and phone number to their account and set the challenge questions in case they need to recover their username or reset their password.

Complete the FAFSA Form

On the FAFSA, all contributors will give consent to have their tax data automatically transferred in an IRS Direct Data Exchange to all colleges and universities listed on the FAFSA. You can list up to 20 colleges. Make sure PC is one of them!

If the student starts the FAFSA and invites the parent to be a contributor, the student will have five sections to complete:

  1. Personal circumstances
  2. Demographics
  3. Financials
  4. Colleges
  5. Signature

Your contributor will have 45 days to complete their section. If they do not, your student section will be deleted and need to be completed again. Contributors, when invited to complete the FAFSA only have three sections: demographics, financials, and signature.

If the parent starts the FAFSA and invites the student to be a contributor, the parent will complete the student’s four sections (personal circumstances, demographics, financials, colleges) and the parents sections (demographics, financials and signature). The contributor in this instance will be the student who will have 45 days to complete their section which will only include consent and signature.

On the FAFSA, all contributors will give consent to have their tax data automatically transferred in an IRS Direct Data Exchange to all colleges and universities listed on the FAFSA.

Important Note about Contributors

Without consent from all contributors, the student will not be eligible for need-based aid (Pell Grant, South Carolina Tuition Grant, PC Grant, etc.).

Contributors will have 45 days to complete their sections.

Check Your Work

Review the form for accuracy before submitting it.

Understanding the FAFSA Results

After submitting the FAFSA, you will receive a notification of processing email from the Department of Education.

At any time you are able to login to the FAFSA website to review the information you provided on your FAFSA and the results of your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is used to determine your eligibility for need-based programs.

Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid

Missing Deadlines

Submit your FAFSA as early as possible, but also pay attention to state- and school-specific FAFSA deadlines.

Incomplete Information

Confirm all of the contributors have completed their individual sections and check the FAFSA website to confirm the FAFSA has been submitted.

Tips for a Successful FAFSA Application

  • Start early and submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.
  • Keep records of your FSA ID (studentaid.gov account username and password) and FAFSA confirmation.
  • Reach out to us if your financial or family circumstances change.

Types of Financial Aid

You could be eligible for the following types of financial aid if you complete the FAFSA:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan(s)
  • Federal Work-Study
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loan
  • Federal TEACH Grant
  • South Carolina Tuition Grant
  • PC Grant
  • Some private scholarships also request FAFSA data.

Have questions about the new FAFSA?

If you have questions about the new FASFA, here’s a handy resource that might help. April Baur, the director of financial aid at PC, held a webinar about the FAFSA and covered helpful information such as changes to this year’s form and known issues with the FAFSA. This recording of the webinar can serve as a valuable resource that explains the importance of completing the FAFSA.

FAQs about the FAFSA

Is the FAFSA free to complete?

Yes, FAFSA stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid,” so there is no cost to apply.

Can I submit the FAFSA if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

Generally, the answer is no. However, some non-U.S. citizens, including eligible non-citizens, can complete the FAFSA.

What happens after I submit the FAFSA?

If you enter the PC code 003445 on the FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office at Presbyterian College will review the results and send you a complete financial aid offer electronically and by mail.

Also, make sure you check your emails regularly! The Department of Education will randomly select students for a process called Verification. This does not mean you did anything wrong. Financial aid offices are tasked with confirming the data is correct so that federal dollars are being spent appropriately. Please provide all documentation PC requests to ensure timely and accurate financial aid information.

Can I list more than one college on my FAFSA?

Yes, you can list up to 20 colleges or universities to receive your FAFSA information.

Why is the FAFSA Important?

The FAFSA is essential because it serves as the gateway to numerous financial aid opportunities. Many colleges and universities, along with state and federal government agencies, use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for financial aid.

Who Should Fill Out the FAFSA?

Any student who plans to attend college should fill out the FAFSA. This includes high school seniors and current college students. Some financial aid programs, including scholarships, may require a FAFSA as part of their application process.

When Should I Submit the FAFSA?

The FAFSA became available on January 1 for the 2024-2025 academic year. It’s best to complete your FAFSA as early as possible to maximize your eligibility for aid since some programs have limited funding. The deadline to submit the FAFSA to receive South Carolina needs-based funding is June 30, 2025.

I completed the FAFSA my freshman year. Do I have to complete it again?

Yes! You will complete the FAFSA every year if you are a recipient of any of the above Grants or Loans.

Have More Questions about the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is your ticket to financial assistance for college. Make sure to submit it on time and accurately, and explore all potential financial aid opportunities to make your higher education dreams a reality.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid at PC at 864-833-8288 or finaid@presby.edu. We’re here to help.