FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your application for federal and state grants, work study, and student loans.
Completing the 2024‑25 FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your application for federal and state grants, work study, and student loans. The 2024-25 FAFSA is available online. Due to federal updates, Black Hawk College students are encouraged to submit their 2024-25 FAFSA starting in February 2024.
NOTE: To complete the FAFSA, all contributors must be present and bring their required documents. Review our 2024-25 Financial Aid Checklist for details. (Incomplete FAFSAs can be saved and completed by student or parent at a later time.)
Changes to the 2024‑25 FAFSA
The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award financial aid to students. Lots of changes are coming, but students and parents will be most interested to know that:
- The FAFSA will be significantly shorter and more user-friendly.
- IRS data will be automatically transferred for most tax filers.
- The number in college will no longer be used to calculate initial eligibility.*
- If parents are divorced/separated, financial information will be required from the parent (and stepparent, if applicable) who provides the most financial support to the student.
- The net value of family farms and small businesses must be reported (the value of the business or farm minus any debts owed against them).*
- Schools will begin receiving 2024-25 FAFSAs in mid-March 2024.
- Students will be able to submit any 2024-25 FAFSA corrections in mid-March 2024.
- Due to these delays from the U.S. Department of Education, our 2024-25 award notifications will be sent in early May 2024. Students should monitor their myBHC email for this notification.
* Please note: Beginning May 2024, families with extenuating circumstances can submit a 2024-25 Special Conditions request for additional review.
FAFSA Resources
Tools
Videos
Undocumented? You may still be eligible.
The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid is a separate financial aid application for eligible undocumented students who do not qualify for federal financial aid. Review additional details regarding the Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, available through ISAC.
More to Explore
Tuition and Payments
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Quad-Cities Campus
Building 1, Room 227
309-796-5400 | 309-796-5447 (fax)
Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.
finaid@bhc.edu
East Campus
Building A, Room 102
309-854-1710 | 309-796-5447 (fax)
Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
finaid@bhc.edu