After completing your Enrollment Agreement with our Admissions Team, you will receive an email from Financial Aid to begin your Financial Aid process. Completing this process is mandatory to start classes at Milwaukee Career College. While FAFSA can seem overwhelming, this step-by-step guide simplifies it, helping you complete your financial aid quickly and accurately.

Jump to section:

• What you need to fill out form
• Filing as Independent vs. Dependent
• Step 1: Create Your FAFSA ID
• Step 2: Start & Complete Your FAFSA 
• Step 3: Review, Sign & Submit Your FAFSA
• Step 4: Complete the MPN & Entrance Counseling Requirement
• What happens after I submit my FAFSA?
• What is MCC School Code for FAFSA?
• How do I login to my MCC Financial Aid portal?
• What is a funding estimate and how will I receive it?

What is the FAFSA and Why Do You Need It?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) determines your eligibility for financial aid, and it’s free to complete. Qualifying students may receive grants and student loans to help cover education costs.

ONLY use the official FAFSA website: studentaid.gov.  Don’t use any other site that might charge you fees.

What You’ll Need Before You Fill Out Your FAFSA Form

For You (the Student):

• FSA ID – You’ll need a username and password to sign and submit the FAFSA online. If you’re a dependent student, a parent will also need their own FSA ID.
• Social Security Number (SSN) – For U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens.
• Driver’s License Number (if applicable).
• Tax Returns – Your (and your parents’, if dependent) federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, or other records of income.
• Bank Statements – Current records of savings, investments, and assets.
• Records of Untaxed Income – Information about any untaxed income, such as child support or veterans’ benefits.
• MCC’s School Code – 041174
• Alien Registration Number (if you’re not a U.S. citizen).
• Parents’ Information – If you’re a dependent student, you’ll need your parents’ information, including tax returns and other income details.

* You’ll need to use tax information from two years prior to the academic year you’re applying for. For example, if you’re filling out the 2025–2026 FAFSA, you’ll use your 2023 tax return. *

How Do I Know If I’m Dependent or Independent on the FAFSA?

You are an independent student if you are one or more of the following:

• You are 24 years old or older
• You’re married (and not separated)
• You’re a graduate or professional student
• You’re a veteran or active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
• You were an orphan, ward of the court, or in foster care
• You’ve been in legal guardianship or emancipated
• You have children or other dependents you financially support
• You’re an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness

If none of these apply, you’re considered a dependent student.

Dependent students must include both their own and their parents’ information on the FAFSA, while independent students only report their own (and their spouse’s, if married).
Source: U.S. Department of Education

Still unsure? Not a problem! The FAFSA will inform you of your dependency status after you answer questions in the personal circumstances section.

Filling Out Your FAFSA Form

Step 1: Create Your FSA ID (5-10 minutes)

Your FSA ID is your username and password for federal aid. Both you and your parents need separate FSA IDs.

To create your FSA ID:

1. Go to studentaid.gov
2. Click “Create Account”
3. Enter your:
   1. Social Security number
   2. Full name (exactly as it appears on your Social Security card)
   3. Date of birth
   4. Email address (use one you check regularly)
   5. Phone number
4. Create a password
5. Set up your security questions
6. Verify your email and phone number

Important: Keep your FSA ID safe – you’ll use it every year you’re in school.

Step 2: Start Your FAFSA Application

1. Go to studentaid.gov
2. Click “Start New Form” or Edit Existing Form if you already have a FAFSA completed
3. Log in with your FSA ID username and password
4. Complete all 5 FAFSA sections

Step 3: Review, Sign & Submit the FAFSA Application

Review Page of FAFSA Form

You’ll see your responses on the form. To review everything, select “Expand All,” or open sections individually. To edit, click a question’s link. Once you’re done reviewing, proceed to the signature page.

Signature Page of FAFSA Form

1. Agree to the terms & conditions and sign the section
2. If your form requires parent or spouse contributions, they will also need to sign before it is considered complete
3. Submit!

After submitting your FAFSA, you’ll get a confirmation email with your completion date, estimated Student Aid Index, and next steps. Milwaukee Career College will receive your FAFSA within 3–5 days, and a financial aid team member will contact you with further instructions

Step 4: Complete the Master Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling Requirement

Along with your FAFSA form, you must complete the Master Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling forms. The MPN is your legal agreement to repay the loan, including interest and fees. The Loan Entrance Counseling helps you understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower, including how loans work, repayment options, and managing borrowing wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions About FAFSA

What happens after I submit my FAFSA form?

Your form will be processed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (within 1–3 days). Milwaukee Career College will receive your FAFSA within 24–48 hours after it’s processed, and a financial aid team member will contact you with further instructions and information related to your financial aid offer.

Why do I have to complete the Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling?

You must complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling to receive federal student loans. Both are required by the U.S. Department of Education before loan funds can be disbursed to your school.

What is MCC’s code for FAFSA?

Milwaukee Career College’s FAFSA school code is 041174.

How do I login to MCC’s Financial Aid Student Portal?

For assistance logging into your MCC Student Financial Aid Portal please email MCC’s financial aid team at [email protected].

What is a funding estimate, and how will I receive it?

A funding estimate is a preliminary overview of the aid you may qualify for based on your FAFSA. It will be sent via text to the phone number you provided to MCC. Reply with the code included in the message to sign your estimate.

If you have additional questions, consider asking Aidan. The Federal Student Aid ai chat agent.

For assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].