South Arkansas College (SouthArk) is making great progress toward packaging financial aid for all eligible students who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 aid year.
Despite significant delays stemming from the federal government’s overhaul of its student aid processes, including simplification of the FAFSA form, SouthArk’s Financial Aid Office began notifying students whose FAFSAs were complete about their aid offers in late June. We will continue issuing notifications as we complete aid packages, so it’s important to know your FAFSA status and watch your SouthArk email for communications from SouthArk’s Financial Aid Office. If you get an email from SouthArk, please read and respond appropriately. Remember, don’t wait to register for Fall Semester.
In response to the delays, we are adjusting our payment due dates. Payment of tuition and fees is now due no later than August 20 to avoid being dropped from classes. Payment may be a combination of federal aid, student loans, scholarships, personal payments, etc.
Below is a guide to help you identify your FAFSA status and follow through with next steps so you can accept your financial aid offer:
What is Your FAFSA Status?
My FAFSA is Complete. No corrections are needed:
You’ve completed your 2024 FAFSA and entered SouthArk’s school code (013858). Next steps:
Review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) to see your preliminary federal aid eligibility. You received your FSS upon completing your FAFSA. We are preparing financial aid packages daily and will notify you through both your SouthArk student email and the email address used on your FAFSA when your aid package is ready for review.
If you’re a new SouthArk student, be sure to complete your admissions application, select your academic program of choice, complete placement, and register for your classes. The semester begins Aug. 19. Walk-in registration is August 12-16 with no appointment needed. Call us if you have any questions at 870-864-7150.
My FAFSA is complete but there are issues that must be resolved:
Review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) to confirm your next steps. If the college must confirm the information you entered on your FAFSA, or if there is conflicting information on your aid application and your student records, processing your FAFSA will be delayed due to technical challenges with Federal Student Aid systems.
Please watch your SouthArk email for financial aid alerts and submit requested documents as soon as possible. Don’t put it off.
Don’t let the delays keep you from choosing your academic program and registering for your classes. You have until Aug. 20 to pay tuition, which allows time for your financial aid to be packaged once you submit the required documentation.
The Financial Aid Office will process your aid once all required documents are submitted. We can help you keep your registration on track while your aid is being processed.
Have questions? You can contact us at finaid@southark.edu or 870-864-7150, or visit Student Services in the El Dorado Conference Center.
FAFSA? I’ve not yet completed my application:
It’s not too late to file your FAFSA. Don’t leave money for college on the table. Most students are eligible for some form of federal student aid. Don’t delay; complete your FAFSA today!
Visit www.studentaid.gov to begin your application.
Include SouthArk’s school code (013858) to allow us to receive your FAFSA data to complete your financial aid package.
It’s not too late! You have time to choose your academic program and register for classes. The semester begins Aug. 19.
Need help? You can contact us at finaid@southark.edu or 870-864-7150, or visit Student Services in the El Dorado Conference Center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When should I expect to receive my financial aid package from SouthArk?
We are diligently working to process financial aid files for the 2024-2025 academic year. If you have corrections or additional documents that are needed, please submit them immediately to ensure that your file can be processed. Then, keep an eye on your email for updates!
Should I register for Fall Semester if I’m still waiting for my financial aid?
Yes! Even if your financial aid for Fall hasn’t been confirmed, you should still register now.
There is no risk to registering now because you can make changes later. There is a risk to registering late: You may not get the classes you want.
You can register now and pay later. Key dates to keep in mind when paying tuition and fees are:
August 19—first day of fall semester classes
August 20—payment due date to avoid being dropped from classes
August 31—deadline to enroll in a payment plan through Herring Bank
What if tuition is due before I receive my financial aid?
When paying tuition, remember you have options. You can arrange with the college to pay tuition and fees in full, or you can schedule a payment plan through Herring Bank. Know your payment options:
I haven’t filed my 2024-2025 FAFSA yet. Is it too late?
No, it’s not too late to file your 2024-2025 FAFSA. There’s just no guarantee you’ll receive your financial aid offer for Fall 2024 before the start of classes. You might have to set up a payment plan to get started!
How can I get help?
We’re committed to helping you navigate the FAFSA so you can get the financial aid you’re eligible for and develop a plan to graduate debt-free. We encourage you to reach out to us with questions or for assistance. You can contact us at finaid@southark.edu, call 870-864-7150, or visit Student Services in the El Dorado Conference Center.