Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)
FAFSA
Q. I filled out the FAFSA, what do I do next?
Have you contacted the school to apply for our Cosmetology program? You can submit through the website or come directly to one of our Open Houses.
Due to the high volume of FAFSAs sent to us, we generally only evaluate the federal student aid eligibility of students who express a serious interest in our program and have been accepted. If you are concerned and wish to discuss your eligibility before that point, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid to schedule an appointment.
We also encourage prospective students to check out our scholarship page to see if there are any outside grants or scholarships they would like to apply for.
Q. Which FAFSA do I fill out?
If you intend to attend classes between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, you will need to complete a 2024-25 FAFSA.
Q. What will I need to fill out the FAFSA?
You might need the following information or documents as you fill out the FAFSA form:
Tax returns
Records of child support received
Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
Q. What’s my college grade level for the FAFSA?
The 2024-25 FAFSA describes the college grade level in terms of credit hours; Creative Hair School, like many trade schools, is a clock hour school. Select your grade level based on your hours with Creative Hair School of Cosmetology at the start of the award year (July 1st):
1-900 hours: First year undergraduate (freshman)
901-1500 hours: Second year undergraduate (sophomore)
Q. What college degree/certificate am I working on for the FAFSA?
Certificate or diploma (occupational, technical or education program of less than two years)
Q. I don’t live with my parents, do I need to report their information on the FAFSA?
If you are a dependent student, then yes. In some special circumstances, a dependent student may qualify for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, or for a Dependency Override, but that will require additional documentation. See https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info for more information regarding parent information, and https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency to see if you are a dependent student.
NEW!: As of the 2024-25 FAFSA, all contributors (including parents) must provide consent and approval to use their financial information.
Q. My parents are divorced or separated, which parent do I report on the FAFSA?
Check here: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info. Follow the instructions for the FAFSA, even if you are claimed as a dependent on a different parent’s taxes. The IRS dependency rules are different from the U.S. Department of Education’s.
Q. I’m married and didn’t file a joint tax return. Does my spouse have to provide consent and approval for their federal tax information on the FAFSA?
Yes, your spouse will also have to provide consent and approval.
Q. I can’t log into the FAFSA.
Please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Q. I haven’t filed federal taxes for 2022. Can I still fill out a 2024-25 FAFSA?
Yes!
If you were required to file federal taxes in the reported year and you haven’t, you may be unable to receive federal student aid until that has been resolved. (Generally, by filing your taxes.) If you have an extension from the IRS, make sure you bring proof to the Office of Financial Aid, and we’ll give you instructions.
Filing Requirements for 2022
Do I Need to File a Tax Return? (2021, 2022, or 2023 tax years)
Q. I filed taxes, but can’t find a copy of my tax return. What should I do now?
As of the 2024-25 FAFSA, the Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange will transfer contributors' federal tax information from the IRS directly into your FAFSA form.
All contributors must provide consent and approval to
disclose their personally identifiable information provided on the FAFSA form to the IRS for matching purposes;
obtain their federal tax information from the IRS via direct data exchange;
allow the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to use their federal tax information to determine the student's eligibility and amount of federal student aid;
allow ED to share their federal tax information with colleges, career/trade schools, and state higher education agencies for use in awarding and administering financial aid; and
allow ED to reuse their federal tax information on another FAFSA applicant's form (e.g., if a parent has multiple dependent students or a parent's own FAFSA form).
If a required contributor doesn't provide consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred into the FAFSA form, you (the student) will not be eligible for federal student aid—even if the contributor manually enters tax information into the FAFSA form.
If you need your tax return information for other reasons, you can request an IRS Tax Return Transcript at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.
Defaulted Student Loans
Q. I’m in default, can I still apply for financial aid?
You cannot receive Federal Student Aid until you clear your default. Please contact the Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115 to clear your default. NEW!: You may be able to reestablish eligibility for Federal Student Aid under the Fresh Start initiative.
You may be able to receive outside grants or scholarship aid.
Q. How long does it take to clear a default?
It varies, but typically you will be required to make 9-10 monthly payments. The details will depend on terms of your arrangement with the Default Resolution Group. For more information on getting out of default, see https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/default/get-out
Having a lien placed against your tax return or other involuntary payments will probably not count!
VA, State Aid, and Other Financial Aid Programs
Q. I have VA educational benefits. Can I use them at Creative Hair School?
No, sorry! Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to locate a VA-approved school.
Q. I have TIP, Futures for Frontliners (F4F), or other State of Michigan grant or scholarship funds. Can I use them at Creative Hair School?
No, sorry! Michigan Student Aid funds can usually only be used at public universities, community colleges, and/or non-profit independent colleges. Go to the MI Student Aid Programs page and open the Fact Sheet for any program you qualify for to find a list of participating schools.
Q. I have a Segal AmeriCorps Award. Can I use it at Creative Hair School?
Yes! Contact us to let us know you want to use it to pay for all or part of your education.
Tuition & Fees
Q. What is the Cost of Attendance? Is that what I will be charged?
No. Cost of Attendance is an estimate of everything it will cost to attend our school during an award year. It includes Direct Costs (costs that Creative Hair School charges you directly, like tuition - listed on the Enrollment Agreement) and Indirect Costs (costs that we don’t charge you, but that you need to attend school, such as rent, food, and transportation).
Every school’s Cost of Attendance will be different. The Cost of Attendance generally serves as an upper limit for a student’s financial aid - you may receive less than the full Cost of Attendance in financial aid, but you won’t get more!