Which year's FAFSA do I complete?

If you plan to attend any of the following semesters:

  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024

You should complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA.

If you plan to attend any of the following semesters:
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

You should complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA, which will be available in December 2023.

5 Steps for Applying for Financial Aid

The Financial Aid process can be completed by following a five-step process.

Step 1 - Create your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

You can create your FSA ID at studentaid.gov . You will need your FSA ID to electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a dependent student for FAFSA purposes, one of your parents will also need to create a FSA ID at studentaid.gov to electronically sign the FAFSA. This will ensure the quickest, most accurate filing process. In addition, your FSA ID will allow you to:

  • View the status and results of a processed FAFSA application on the FAFSA website.
  • Make corrections to your FAFSA online.
  • Access your Federal Student Financial Assistance information on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website.
  • Request a duplicate copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Keep your FSA ID in a safe place as you will need this information in order to access any Federal Student Aid information.

Step 2 - Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov

To be considered for any type of financial aid, all students must complete the FAFSA. Remember to include Reynolds's federal school code on the FAFSA (003759).

The FAFSA can be completed at studentaid.gov. There is no fee to apply.

Be sure to complete your FAFSA before the Reynolds' priority deadlines:
Fall semester April 15
Spring semester September 15
Summer semester March 15
Please note that you must apply once every school year. You must also be accepted into a degree program by Admissions and be in good academic standing to receive financial aid.

Step 3 - FAFSA is Processed

After your FAFSA is processed, you will receive notification of your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education.

Once you receive your SAR, you should review it for accuracy. Students who receive their SAR electronically can make any necessary corrections online at www.studentaid.gov. Please check your Reynolds email or MyReynolds SIS Student Center regularly to see if we are requesting any additional information.

Step 4 - Additional Information may be required

After your FAFSA is processed by the Department of Education, Reynolds will be sent the information electronically. For electronic filers, the FAFSA information is usually received by the college within 5 business days.

Once Reynolds receives your FAFSA, you may be required to submit additional information to the Reynolds Office of Financial Aid. Please check your To Do List in SIS to see if any additional documentation is needed to complete the processing of your financial aid application.

*Optional Special Circumstances

Step 5 - Award Notification & Additional Applications

After your FAFSA is processed and all required information has been reviewed, you will receive a notification of how to view your awards through the SIS Message Center. 

To apply for a student loan, you must complete a Federal Direct Student Loan Request Form, which can be obtained online or from the Office of Financial Aid. For specific instructions, please see Student Loans.

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for aid provided by any of Reynolds financial aid programs, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, U.S. permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen as determined by federal guidelines.
  • Have a valid Social Security Number
  • Possess a high school diploma, G.E.D., or successfully pass the Ability to Benefit (ATB) test
  • Be enrolled in a program leading to an approved certificate or degree | Financial Aid Eligible Programs
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the program of study
  • Not be in default on any federal student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant
    (To check your federal loan or grant history, visit the Federal Student Aid website www.studentaid.gov and log in to view your history.)
  • Not be enrolled in an elementary or secondary school. A student who is concurrently enrolled in high school and at Reynolds is not considered a "regular student," nor is s/he eligible for financial aid.
  • Be registered with Selective Service, if required (males only).
    • If you are not registered, you may register at www.sss.gov.
    • If you registered and want to check your registration, you may check your registration at www.sss.gov.
    • For State Aid only
  • Complete the verification process, if required.
  • Demonstrate financial need except for unsubsidized loans
Financial Aid Course Audit, Satisfactory Academic Progress and Withdrawals

Financial Aid Course Audit (FACA)

Federal regulations indicate that students can only receive financial aid only for courses that apply toward their declared degree or certificate program.

Learn more about FACA here.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Learn more about Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Withdrawals

Learn more about withdrawing and how it effects your financial aid eligibility.

Financial Aid Checklist
  1. Apply to and be accepted into a financial aid eligible program at Reynolds.
  2. Create your account and log in to studentaid.gov with your FSA username and password.
  3. Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov with Reynolds School Code: 003759
    • Sign the FAFSA with your FSA username and password.
  4. Refer to your MyReynolds SIS Student Service Center to view all communication from The Reynolds Financial Aid Office in your Message Center and To Do List.
  5. Submit required documentation to the Reynolds Financial Aid Office.
  6. Work with your academic advisor and only enroll in courses that are required for current program.
  7. Understand enrollment status and how this affects your aid (Full-time, ¾ time, ½ time, etc.)
  8. View your financial aid offer based on your actual enrollment in your SIS Student Services Center.
  9. Remember the payment due date for any balance left after your financial aid.
  10. To request a Federal Direct Student Loan:
    • Complete the Federal Direct Loan Request Form found on the Reynolds Financial Aid Central web page in the forms section.
    • Complete Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.
    • Complete Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov.
  11. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Financial Aid Eligible Programs

Associate of Arts (AA)


  • Liberal Arts AA (Transfer) (648)
    • American Sign Language / Deaf Studies Specialization (648-03)
    • Teacher Preparation Specialization (648-TP)

Associate of Science (AS)


  • Business Administration AS (Transfer) (213)
  • Education AS (625)
    • Elementary Education Major (625-M1) 
    • Health and Physical Education Major (625-M2) 
    • Secondary English Education Major (625-M3)
    • Secondary Math Education Major (625-M4)
    • Secondary Science Education Major (625-M5)
    • Secondary Social Studies Education Major (625-M6)
    • World Languages Education Major (625-M7)
  • Engineering AS (Transfer) (831)
    • Chemical / Biological Engineering Specialization (831-04)
    • Electrical / Computer Engineering Specialization (831-03)
    • Mechanical / General Engineering Specialization (831-01)
  • General Studies AS (Transfer) (699)
    • General Studies - Elementary Education Specialization (699-12)
  • Science AS (Transfer) (880-01)
    • Computer Science Specialization (880-02)
    • Mathematics Specialization (880-05)
    • Mathematics and Science Teacher Prep (880-TP)
  • Social Sciences AS (Transfer) (882)
    • Pre-Social Work Specialization (882-02)
    • Teacher Preparation Specialization (882-TP)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)


  • Accounting AAS (203)
  • Administration of Justice AAS (400-01)
  • American Sign Language-English Interpretation AAS (640)
  • Architectural and Engineering Technology AAS-Contemporary Technology for Design (895-01)
  • Architectural and Engineering Technology AAS-Building Construction Management (895-02)
  • Automotive Technology AAS (909)
  • Automotive Technology, OEM Major AAS (909-01)
  • Criminal Justice AAS (456)
  • Culinary Arts AAS - Culinary Arts (242-01)
  • Culinary Arts AAS - Pastry Arts (242-02)
  • Culinary Arts AAS - Culinary Management (242-03)
  • Early Childhood Development AAS (636)
  • Emergency Medical Services- Paramedic AAS (146)
  • Horticulture Technology AAS (335)
  • Human Services AAS (480)
  • Information Systems Technology AAS - Computer Applications (299)
  • Management AAS - Small Business Management (212-04)
  • Management AAS - Retail Management (212-03)
  • Medical Laboratory Technology AAS (151)
  • Nursing AAS (156)
  • Nursing - LPN to RN (156-02)
  • Nursing - LPN to Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing (156-03)
  • Opticianry AAS (160)
  • Paralegal Studies AAS - General Practice (260-01)
  • Paralegal Studies AAS - Litigation (260-02)
  • Respiratory Therapy AAS (181)

Certificate Programs (C)


  • Accounting Certificate (202)
  • Automotive Technology Certificate (902)
  • Dental Assisting Certificate (120)
  • Diesel Mechanics Technology Certificate (920)
  • Early Childhood Development Certificate (632)
  • Practical Nursing Certificate (157)

Career Studies Certificate Programs (CSC)


  • Accounting Support Functions CSC (221-203-01)
  • Accounting CSC (221-203-02)
  • Advanced Medical Coder (Health Information Management) CSC (221-152-07)
  • American Sign Language CSC (221-640-01)
  • Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair CSC (221-909-01)
  • Behavioral Health Technician CSC (221-480-32)
  • Bookkeeping CSC (221-212-03)
  • Central Sterile Technician CSC (221-174-01)
  • Child Care Assistant CSC (PAVE Program) (221-636-02)
  • Clerical Assistant CSC (PAVE Program) (221-218-01)
  • Computer-Aided Design Specialist CSC (221-729-01)
  • Criminal Justice CSC (221-400-45)
  • Culinary - Food and Beverage Operations CSC (221-242-09)
  • Culinary - Foundations of Culinary Technique CSC (221-242-12)
  • Culinary - Fundamentals CSC (221-242-03)
  • Early Childhood Education CSC (221-636-06)
  • Early Childhood Education Advanced CSC (221-636-08)
  • E-commerce CSC (221-251-01)
  • Emergency Medical Services - Emergency Medical Technician CSC (221-146-01)
  • Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic CSC (221-146-05)
  • Entrepreneurship in Small Business CSC (221-212-10)
  • Floral Design CSC (221-335-02)
  • Food Service Assistant CSC (PAVE Program) (221-241-05)
  • Health Care Assistant CSC (PAVE Program) (221-190-05)
  • Health Science I CSC (221-190-01)
  • Human Services Technician CSC (221-480-44)
  • Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology CSC (221-909-46)
  • Information System Technology - Computer Programmer CSC (221-299-06)
  • Information System Technology - Cyber Security CSC (221-732-09)
  • Information System Technology - Network Fundamentals CSC (221-732-00)
  • Information System Technology - Computer App Fundamentals CSC (221-299-00)
  • Information System Technology - Computer Applications CSC (221-299-03)
  • Information System Technology - Web Development CSC (221-299-18)
  • Information System Technology - Cloud Computing CSC (221-299-50)
  • Media Production CSC (221-297-01)*
  • Medical Records Coder (Health Information Management) CSC (221-152-06)
  • Opticians Apprentice CSC (221-160-04)
  • Payroll and Taxation CSC (221-203-06)
  • Pharmacy Technician CSC (221-190-08)
  • Release of Health Information Specialist (Health Information Management) CSC (221-152-02)
  • Substance Abuse Counseling Education CSC (221-480-30)
  • Sustainable Agriculture CSC (221-335-06)
  • Welding Advanced CSC (221-995-02)
  • Welding CSC (221-995-01)

Approved by USDOE for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Financial Aid

Last updated 09-21-2023.

* Effective Fall 2024

Please note: Dual-enrolled high school students accepted into any of the above programs are not eligible to receive financial aid assistance at Reynolds Community College.