The Office of Financial Aid assists students with financial aid options, through graduation, to finance your educational investment . Our office offers guidance in finding alternatives to help reduce educational expenses.
Some of the services the Office of Financial Aid provides, Financial Aid Award/Cost Breakdown, Counseling students/parents on loan options, Assisting students with financial aid applications and/or requirements, Providing students with insights on all financial aid options, including grants/scholarships, work study programs, and outside opportunities, loan default prevention as well as offering other assistance as needed.
Helpful Information
The following presentation gives a brief explanation about your Federal Loans and the types of repayment options you have once you graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or leave school.
Post Graduation PPT
Post Graduation PDF
Connecting With Staff
In an effort to maintain the health and safety of our students and staff, the Office of Financial Aid will meet with students by appointment only. Appointments are available via Zoom or by phone which will allow us to better serve your needs while adhering to the social distancing standards.
To make an appointment with your Financial Aid Counselor, please click on the Calendy link underneath your counselor’s name on the right hand side of the page.
Work Study Info For Staff
Submit your job description online
note: positions are not posted until approved by financial aid. Job postings will remain listed for 6 weeks.
Current Positions
Work Study Authorization Form
Work Study Process
Your Account
Accessing Blackboard and Self Service for the first time
Your account summary
Make a payment on-line
View your holds
Forms
Policies & Procedures
Return of Title IV Funds for Complete & Unofficial Withdrawals
Financial Aid Verification Policy
The Basic Process for Receiving Financial Aid at CCS
- To apply for need-based federal, state and institutional financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA – see additional information and website address below). You do not need to complete a FAFSA to receive CCS Scholarships, or other kinds of merit-based aid, such as the Michigan Promise Scholarship. Once CCS receives your FAFSA results a review will be conducted to determine if additional documentation is required for the federal Verification selection process. If a student is selected for Verification they will be notified via a mailed notification letter specifying requested documentation along with follow-up emails until all documentation is received by the Financial Aid office to complete the verification process.
- After all necessary documentation has been received, CCS will calculate what financial aid you are eligible for from the federal and state government, as well as any need-based aid from the school. Incoming students will receive a package in the mail containing a financial aid notification letter detailing this information and all necessary instructions to accept the aid. Returning students receive a notification to their CCS email address and are able to view and accept or reject their financial aid awards on Self Service. If you are offered a Direct loan as part of your package and wish to accept it, you must complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and loan Entrance Counseling (complete them here!)
- New students will receive a paper award package in the mail, and will be able to accept awards online by logging into the Self Service system after having paid their enrollment deposit to CCS. If you are only attending one semester your letter will reflect only that semester’s semester info. Students considered Dependent for federal student aid purposes will have a Parent PLUS loan included on their award package listed as an estimated amount. This does not mean that your parent is approved for that amount, and if the parent wishes to apply for the Parent PLUS loan they must complete and submit the Parent PLUS Authorization form to the Financial Aid Office to process.
- If you are not able to pay the remaining amount and need additional funds, you may want to consider an outside scholarship search or applying for a supplemental loan, such as an Alternative or Parent PLUS loan (see below). Supplemental loans are subject to credit approval. Almost all students require a credit worthy co-signer to qualify for an alternative loan. Please apply early for these loans. They take time to process and you don’t want to be in a position where a balance at the school is keeping you from registering for your next semester.
- Anything you request beyond what you need for tuition, fees and/or on-campus housing and meal plans will be refunded to you by the Business Office (see below) and can be used for educational expenses such as books & supplies, food, rent or transportation.
- CCS strongly encourages students to have all their funding determined before charges apply at the beginning of the semester (https://campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/academic-calendar/). Students who have not secured all necessary funding by the first day of classes should contact the Financial Aid office immediately to discuss any additional options that may be available.
- Aid is awarded based on full-time enrollment and adjusted for less than full-time students after the drop/add period (see Pro-ration below) ends each semester. Most kinds of aid require at least half-time (6 credits) enrollment.
- Aid is also awarded based on the assumption you will complete the semester. If you do a complete withdrawal or stop attending classes before the end of the semester some kinds of aid may have to be returned (see Return of Title IV Funds for Complete & Unofficial Withdrawals). You will be responsible for repaying any resulting balance.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The FAFSA is the only application required to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional (CCS) need-based financial aid. Students should complete the FAFSA each year they may need to receive aid. Even if you’re uncertain of your plans, it is still a good idea to get your FAFSA filed so you are prepared either way.
The FAFSA for the upcoming school year is available beginning October 1st of the prior calendar year. For example, the FAFSA for the 2018-2019 academic year was available beginning October 1, 2017. It is recommended you file your FAFSA no later than March 1st to ensure your maximum eligibility for aid.
Click here to file the FAFSA online
Financial Aid for Part Time Students
Aid is initially awarded based on full-time enrollment (12-18 credit hours). Each semester at the close of the Drop/Add period the enrollment status of every student is reviewed to determine if awards should be prorated due to less than full-time status. Aid continues to be pro-rated through the date that 100% charges apply each semester (see the schedule book for exact dates). Scholarships from outside entities are not prorated unless required by the donor. Loan amounts do not change unless requested by the student or if adjustments are necessary per federal regulations.
11.5 – 9.0 credits – student receives 75% of original award
8.5 – 6.0 credits – student receives 50% of original award
Less than 6.0 – student receives 0% of original award
Students must be attending at least 6 credits to receive financial aid, including Stafford and PLUS loans. Some alternative loans are available for those enrolled less than 6 credits.
Refunds
If your financial aid funds and/or supplemental loans are in excess tuition and housing charges owed to CCS, the Cashier’s office will issue a refund check to you for the overage. It is important to remember that financial aid is disbursed on a per semester basis, so if you have taken out an additional $5000 for the year, you will receive $2500 during the fall semester, and $2500 during the winter semester. Refund checks are printed in the Cashier’s office every Friday. You may also set up Direct Deposit for your refund through the Business Office.
ALL STUDENTS entitled to a refund should expect it within first the two weeks of the start of the semester.
Scholarship Opportunities
CCS will accept any outside scholarships students obtain. CCS does not reduce institutional aid when additional scholarships are received, unless all tuition and fees are paid by the additional scholarship. In rare cases, a student may lose Michigan Tuition Grant/Competitive Scholarship or Subsidized Stafford loan eligibility if they exceed their Demonstrated Need calculation or may have loan funds reduced if they exceed their Cost of Attendance calculation (contact Financial Aid office for more information).
View a listing of current external scholarship opportunities.
Click here to learn more about doing an outside scholarship search (pdf).
Work-Study
Students wishing to obtain a work-study job on campus should first review the list of postings (see below) to determine if there are any jobs currently available and if they meet the qualifications. Once an appropriate job is located, students should follow the instructions in the job posting for application.
The interview is an important part of the process and should be taken seriously – supervisors will choose the student they feel is most suitable in terms of skills and demeanor.
Once you have secured a job, you will fill out an Authorization to Hire form with your supervisor, which should be returned to the Financial Aid Office. In addition, students need to complete tax forms and provide documentation of their identity and citizenship status, which is completed in the Human Resources Office. Students should not begin working until all these documents are provided to Financial Aid/Human Resources and processed!
International students are eligible for work-study, but will need to go through the additional step of obtaining a Social Security number and card. Call (313) 664-7497 for more information.
Click here to see the current job postings.
Work Study Authorization Form
Graduate Assistantship Positions
Qualified students registered in Masters Programs are eligible to apply for Graduate Assistantship positions where available.
For more information please go to the Graduate Studies Page.
GPA Requirements for CCS Scholarships
Requirements for all CCS scholarships are based on cumulative GPA.
Student’s cumulative GPA is reviewed after they have attended CCS for at least two full semesters, and each semester thereafter, to determine if they are meeting the requirements for their scholarship. Once reduced, the scholarship funds lost are not reinstated, regardless of the GPA in future semesters. The only exception to this rule is if a grade change is received which increases the GPA high enough to prevent it from going below the requirement.
Award of Excellence, Walter B. Ford II and President’s Scholarships: Require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If a 3.0 is not maintained, the award is reduced to a CCS Scholarship. The amount received is dependent on the semester the student first attended (or was formally readmitted to) CCS.
CCS Scholarships: Require a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. If a 2.5 is not maintained the award is reduced to a CCS Award. The amount received is dependent on the semester the student first attended (or was formally readmitted to) CCS.
CCS Award: Are not subject to a GPA requirement.