FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

The FAFSA® Application Process at ICOHS College

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the first step to unlocking federal grants, loans, and work-study to help you pay for school. It’s free to submit and now simpler than ever.

Submitting the FAFSA does not commit you to ICOHS or to taking out loans—it simply shows you what financial aid you may qualify for.

Start your FAFSA in minutes

Federal aid available for those who qualify

Use your StudentAid.gov account to complete the FAFSA online and list ICOHS College as one of your schools.

One free form opens the door to federal grants, loans, and work-study.
Most students can complete the FAFSA in under an hour.
Submit early to maximize your aid options.

Tip: Have tax information handy for you and, if applicable, a parent contributor. The FAFSA can securely import most data for you.

Step 1 · Understand the FAFSA

What Is the FAFSA® — and Why Does It Matter?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the official form used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine your eligibility for federal student aid—including Pell Grants, low-interest federal student loans, and work-study funds. Many states and schools also use your FAFSA details to award their own grants and scholarships.

Access the largest source of college aid

Federal Student Aid provides billions of dollars each year to help millions of students pay for their education. The FAFSA is how you apply for this aid.

Available for career & trade schools

As an accredited career college, ICOHS students in eligible programs can use federal grants, loans, and work-study to help cover tuition and related costs.

Free to submit & no obligation

Completing the FAFSA is completely free. Submitting the form doesn’t lock you into ICOHS or any loan; it simply shows you what aid may be available.

Step 2 · See if it's for you

Who Should Complete the FAFSA®?

If you’re wondering whether you should complete the FAFSA, the answer is almost always yes. Many students qualify for more aid than they expect.

New ICOHS students planning to enroll in a program (full-time or part-time)
Current ICOHS students—you must submit a FAFSA every year you plan to attend
U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens who want to access federal financial aid
Students interested in federal grants, loans, or work-study
Parents of dependent students, who may need to provide financial information as contributors

Not sure you’ll qualify? Submit the FAFSA anyway. Many grants and scholarships require it, and eligibility is based on more than just income. Skipping the FAFSA can mean leaving money on the table.

Common situations where FAFSA helps

You’re returning to school after time away
You work part-time and need help covering tuition
Your family’s financial situation has recently changed
You’re comparing financial aid offers from multiple schools

ICOHS Financial Aid Advisors can help you decide which programs and aid options are right for you.

Step 3 · Complete the form

FAFSA Application Process:

How to Fill Out the FAFSA® Form

The updated FAFSA is more streamlined than ever. Follow these steps to submit your application and list ICOHS College as one of your schools.

1

Create your StudentAid.gov account

Go to StudentAid.gov and create an account (sometimes called an FSA ID). If you’re a dependent student, a parent contributor may also need an account.

2

Gather your information

You’ll need items like your Social Security number or Alien Registration number, recent federal tax returns and W-2s (for you and/or your parents), and basic household information.

3

Start the FAFSA online

Visit FAFSA.gov and choose the correct school year’s FAFSA form. Answer each question carefully; many will auto-fill based on your profile.

4

Add ICOHS College

When prompted to list schools, add ICOHS College so we receive your information and can prepare your aid offer.
School code: 041907 (confirm before publishing)

5

Review, sign & submit

Review your answers for accuracy. You and any required contributors sign electronically with your StudentAid.gov accounts, then submit the form.

6

Watch for your FAFSA Submission Summary

After processing, you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary outlining your information and an overview of your federal aid eligibility. Review it and correct any errors as soon as possible.

Step 4 · Use helpful tools

FAFSA® Resources for Students

Use these official tools and guides to make the FAFSA process smoother and avoid common mistakes.

Federal Student Aid Estimator

Get an early estimate of your Student Aid Index (SAI) and potential Pell Grant eligibility before you submit your FAFSA.

Open the Estimator →

Detailed FAFSA walkthrough

Follow a more detailed, step-by-step guide from Federal Student Aid with screenshots and explanations for each part of the form.

See the guide →

FAFSA deadlines by state

Review federal, state, and school deadlines, including California-specific dates, so your FAFSA is submitted on time.

Check deadlines →

Additional ICOHS financial aid information

Learn more about tuition, scholarships, and other ways to finance your education at ICOHS College.

Tutorial & Financial Aid Overview

ICOHS Scholarships

Military & MyCAA Benefits

Step 5 · Parents & contributors

FAFSA® for Parents & Contributors

If your student is considered dependent, at least one parent or other contributor will need to provide information on the FAFSA form. The system is secure and can import tax data directly from the IRS to save time and reduce errors.

Your role as a FAFSA contributor

As a parent or contributor, you’ll securely share tax and income information to help calculate your student’s eligibility for federal financial aid.

Sharing your information does not make you personally responsible for paying tuition. It simply helps determine how much aid your student can receive.

What parents should know

✓ You may receive an invitation email from your student to become a contributor—follow the link to create or sign into your StudentAid.gov account.

✓ Only the correct parent or contributor should provide information; divorced or remarried families can use federal guidance to determine who that is.

✓ You can review and correct your information before submitting the FAFSA.

✓ ICOHS Financial Aid is available to answer questions if you’re unsure about any part of the process.

Helpful resources for parents

Check FAFSA deadlines

Your state, your child’s schools, and the federal government may all have different deadlines. Encourage your student to submit as early as possible.

Use the “Who’s My FAFSA Parent?” tool

For complex family situations (divorced, remarried, guardians), this federal tool helps determine which parent’s information is required.

Read FAFSA pro tips

Learn how to avoid common errors, like skipping required consent for data sharing or leaving fields blank.

Visit the FAFSA Help Center

Browse FAQs, videos, and live support options to get answers while you complete your portion of the form.

Official resources are available at StudentAid.gov, or you can contact the ICOHS Financial Aid Office for personal support.

Step 6 · After you apply

What Happens After You Submit the FAFSA?

Once your FAFSA is submitted, there are just a few more steps before you receive your financial aid offer from ICOHS College.

① Your FAFSA is processed. The U.S. Department of Education reviews your form and sends your information to the schools you listed.

② You receive a FAFSA Submission Summary. Review this summary to make sure your details are correct. Fix any errors as soon as possible.

③ ICOHS creates your financial aid offer. Once we have your FAFSA data, our Financial Aid Office prepares a package that may include grants, federal student loans, and work-study for those who qualify.

④ You meet with a Financial Aid Advisor. We’ll walk through your options, answer questions, and help you decide how much aid to accept.

Stay on track after submitting your FAFSA

Check your email regularly for messages from Federal Student Aid and ICOHS.
Respond quickly to any requests for additional documents or verification.
Keep your contact information up to date on your StudentAid.gov account.

If anything is unclear, our Financial Aid team can help you understand your next steps.

Step 7 · Get support

Need Help? Talk with ICOHS Financial Aid

Our Financial Aid team is here to guide you through the FAFSA application process, explain your options, and help you understand how to finance your education.

CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
Call: (858) 581-9460
Email: financialaid@icohs.edu
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm (PT)
Location: ICOHS College – San Diego

What we can help you with

Creating or recovering your StudentAid.gov account
Completing and submitting the FAFSA form online
Understanding your FAFSA Submission Summary
Reviewing your financial aid offer from ICOHS College
Exploring payment plans, scholarships, and other funding options

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. We’re here to help you make confident, informed decisions about your education.