Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Aid

We know that our students have questions, and we have answers. These are crazy times, unlike any we have ever known, that are causing a lot of stress and anxiety. We are here for you…just an email or phone call away.

As the situation has evolved and continues to change, we have compiled a listing of frequently asked questions regarding student financial aid. Here are some of the top questions being asked by students.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How will COVID-19 impact my financial aid?

There will be no impact on your financial aid if you are working with your instructor to complete your courses.

2. I need to withdraw from my spring semester classes due to COVID-19. How will this impact my financial aid?

Per federal regulations, we may be required to return a portion of your financial aid to the Department of Education, even if those funds have already been disbursed to your school bill or refunded to you. This may result in a debt owed to Blackhawk or the Department of Education.

As a college, Blackhawk has created internal procedures to help offset this hardship for students. Please speak with the Registration Department about the procedure for requesting a refund for your courses. If approved through their procedure, this may help offset the debt owed due to the return of financial aid funds.

Before withdrawing from classes, students should speak with their instructors and Academic Advisor to make sure they have explored all resources available to help them continue achieving their educational goals.

3. I previously declined my loan, but now I need those funds. How do I change this?

Send an email to BTCFinAid@blackhawk.edu from your student email account with your name, student ID#, and the amount you need in the loan. The Financial Aid Department will then review and process your request. They may reply to your email requesting additional information. A student must be actively enrolled in at least 6 credits to qualify for a federal student loan.

4. Can my financial aid be reviewed or adjusted based on changes to my circumstances due to COVID-19? 

Students may request a review of their 2020-2021 financial aid package due to COVID-19 if there was a change in their financial circumstances. Please complete the Special Circumstances form found on MyBTC, write a statement explaining the changes and provide supporting documentation. Each request will be reviewed and a decision made on a case by case basis, as financial aid eligibility depends on many factors.

5. How do I turn in my financial aid forms if the office is closed?

The Financial Aid Department can accept most forms via email to btcfinaid@blackhawk.edu, as long as the form is complete and signed. If a student is taking a picture of the form, it needs to be a clear picture without shadows covering any of the words. If the form is double-sided, please send both sides. Forms can also be sent by mail to Blackhawk Technical College, PO Box 5009, Janesville, WI 53549, as we are checking the mail during the office closure. Students can also fax any documents to (608) 743-4407 Attn: Financial Aid.

6. Are there scholarships available to help offset the cost of tuition & fees?

The BTC Foundation offers several scholarships each semester. The application deadline for the Fall semester has been extended to May 1, 2020. Instructions can be found online at https://blackhawk.edu/About/Foundation/Foundation-Scholarships

7. If the college is closed, how can I get help from financial aid staff?

While the campuses are closed, we are all still actively working. The best way to contact us is through email, BTCFinAid@blackhawk.edu. We are happy to help you with any needs or concerns you may have.

8. I need short-term, emergency assistance. Does Blackhawk have any emergency grants for students?

Yes, Blackhawk offers some different types of emergency assistance. You can apply for emergency assistance at https://www.blackhawk.edu/Paying-for-College/Financial-Aid/Emergency-Financial-Assistance

Funding is limited and each request is evaluated based on funding available at the time of the request.

9. I am going to take classes in the summer. How do I get financial aid?

If you have already been awarded financial aid for the 2019-2020 school year, you will need to complete the Summer Financial Aid Request form. It can be found on MyBTC > Paying for College tab. You can also send an email to BTCFinAid@blackhawk.edu and we can send the form to you. You can then email the completed form back to us for processing.

10. When should I apply for financial aid for the 2020-2021 academic year?

NOW is the best time to apply. The financial aid applications are not processed instantly and many things need to happen behind the scenes to create award packages. Please complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA online at studentaid.gov to begin the process.

Got a question that wasn’t answered above? No problem! Please reach out to us at BTCFinAid@blackhawk.edu.

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