Financial Aid

If you have any questions regarding financial aid, please email FMTCFinancialAid@leeschools.net and a Financial Aid Specialist will contact you.

Fort Myers Technical College and The Southwest Florida Public Service Academy do not accept federal student loans as payment. The schools participate in the following programs:

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant awarded to undergraduate students who have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree. Eligibility is based on the students’ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA and their enrollment status at the end of the add/drop period. Scheduled awards range from $767 to $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year (Fall/Spring). Students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Pell award each year, the equivalent of 3 full-time semester awards.

Pell Grant lifetime limit is set to 12 full-time semesters, or approximately 6 years. The limit will apply to all Pell recipients regardless of when the student first began receiving Pell Grant funds. This limit is tracked by the U.S. Department of Education.

Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE)

The Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE) Program is a need-based grant program available to Florida residents enrolled in certificate programs of 450 or more clock hours at participating Florida colleges (public community colleges) or career centers operated by district school boards. For detailed information about this grant, please visit the Fact Sheet here.

Fee Generated Post-Secondary Tuition Assistance Grant (PTAG)

The Fee Generated Post-Secondary Tuition Assistance Grant is a need-based grant available to Florida residents enrolled in certificate programs of 120 or more clock hours. Students’ EFC must be less than or equal to 12,000, and their tuition cannot be fully funded from another source (CareerSource, Vocational Rehab, VA, etc.). PTAG funds may be offered for tuition and up to $500 toward fees or required tools, supplies, or uniforms for the first payment period, and tuition only for all remaining periods, not to exceed the amount of need. Additional details about the PTAG may be found in the Financial Aid Department.

There are financial aid penalties associated with drug-related offenses. Information can be found in this Notice to Students Concerning Penalties for Drug Violations.

If you need assistance in paying for your program, you must start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Without that, you will not be eligible for any financial aid. Please follow the steps below:

Create a Federal Student Aid account (FSA ID).

- Student: An FSA ID is a username and password you need to sign the FAFSA form online. If you don’t have an FSA ID, get an FSA ID here ASAP.

- Parent: If your child is required to report parent information on the FAFSA form, you need to create your own FSA ID in order to sign your child’s FAFSA form online. Create an FSA ID here. Parents are able to use their FSA IDs right away.

IMPORTANT: Some of the most common FAFSA errors occur when the student and parent mix up their FSA IDs. If you don’t want your financial aid to be delayed, it’s extremely important that each parent and each student create his or her own FSA ID and that they do not share it with ANYONE, even each other.

Start the FAFSA® – Free Application for Federal Student Aid form at fafsa.gov.

Go to fafsa.gov or click on the button below to get started.

TIP: We recommend that the student start the FAFSA form using the instructions below. It makes the application process much easier. If you are the parent read, The Parent’s Guide to Filling Out the FAFSA Form.

- If you are the student: Click “Enter your (the student’s) FSA ID.” Then enter your FSA ID username and password, and click “Next.”
- If you are the parent: Click “Enter the student’s information.” Then provide the student’s name, Social Security number, and date of birth, and click “Next.”

Choose which FAFSA form you’d like to complete:

- The FAFSA school year runs from July 1^st to June 30th

TIP: If you are given the option to complete a “renewal” FAFSA form, choose that option. When you choose to renew your FAFSA form, your demographic information from the previous year will roll over into your new application, saving you some time.

Remember, the FAFSA form is not a one-time thing. You must complete a FAFSA form for each school year.

Create a save key.

- The save key is a temporary password that allows you and your parent(s) to “pass” the FAFSA form back and forth. It also allows you to save the FAFSA form and return to it later. This is especially helpful if you and your parent are not in the same place.

Fill out the Student Demographics section.

Parents: Remember that the FAFSA form is the student’s application, not yours. When the FAFSA form says “you” or “your,” it’s referring to the student. Pay attention to whether you’re being asked for student or parent information. When in doubt, the banner on the left side will indicate whether you’re on a student or parent page.

Add Our school to your FAFSA.

In the School Selection section, add Code 007558 for Fort Myers Technical College or Southwest Florida Public Service Academy.

Answer the dependency status questions.

The dependency guidelines are set by Congress and are different from those used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Even if you live on your own, support yourself, and file taxes on your own, you may still be considered a dependent student for federal student aid purposes. If you are determined to be a dependent student, you’ll be required to report information about your parent(s). If you’re determined to be an independent student, you won’t have to provide parent information and you can skip the next step.

Fill out the Parent Demographics section.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t live with your parent(s); you still must report information about them if you were determined to be a dependent

Start by figuring out who counts as your parent on the FAFSA form.

Supply your financial information.

Here is where you and your parent(s) (if applicable) will provide your financial information. This step is incredibly simple if you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). The IRS DRT allows you to import your IRS tax information into the FAFSA form with just a few clicks. Using this tool also may reduce the amount of paperwork you need to provide to your school. So if you’re eligible, use it!

To access the tool, indicate that you’ve “already completed” taxes on the student or parent finances page. If you’re eligible, you’ll see a “LINK TO IRS” button. Choose that option and follow the prompts.

Sign and submit your FAFSA form.

You’re not finished with the FAFSA form until you (and your parent, if you’re a dependent student) sign it. The quickest and easiest way to sign your FAFSA form is online with your FSA ID.

Sign and Submit Tips:

- If you or your parent forgot your FSA ID, you can retrieve the FSA ID.
- Make sure you and your parent don’t mix up your FSA IDs. This is one of the most common errors we see, and why it’s extremely important for each person to create his or her own FSA ID and not share it with anyone.
- Make sure the parent who is using his or her FSA ID to sign the FAFSA form chooses the right parent number from the drop-down menu. If your parent doesn’t remember whether he or she was listed as Parent 1 or Parent 2, he or she can go back to the parent demographics section to check.
- Here’s what you should do if you get an error saying that your FSA ID information doesn’t match the information provided on the FAFSA form.
- If you have siblings, your parent can use the same FSA ID to sign FAFSA forms for all of his or her children. Your parent can also transfer his or her information into your sibling’s application by choosing the option provided on the FAFSA confirmation page.
- We recommend signing the FAFSA form with an FSA ID because it’s the fastest way to get your FAFSA form processed. However, if you and/or your parent are unable to sign the FAFSA form electronically with an FSA ID, you can mail in a signature page. From the sign and submit page, select “Other options to sign and submit” and then choose “Print A Signature Page.” Just keep in mind that your FAFSA form will take longer to process if you go this route.

I’m finished. What’s next?

Congrats on finishing! You’re one step closer to getting money for college.

You will receive an email from the United States Department of Education telling you they have processed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid form on their end. It will let you know if you need to make any changes and what steps you need to take. Please READ this and follow the steps! You are not guaranteed any aid yet. You must comply with the instructions.

Once your application is completed without errors, it will be sent to our Financial Aid office. It is at that point we will begin to process your financial aid on our end.

In order to use your VA benefits, you must go to www.ebenefits.va.gov, click on Education Benefits and follow the directions to apply for Education and Training. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Whether you attend Fort Myers Technical College or The Southwest Florida Public Service Academy, the school name and address will be:

Fort Myers Technical College

3800 Michigan Avenue

Fort Myers, FL 33916

We need the following documents:

Copy of your DD214 – member 4 form
Letter of eligibility
Military transcripts – official copy
- Military transcripts can be requested at: https://jst.doded.mil
All other post-secondary official transcripts

Sponsorship

CareerSource Southwest Florida offers funding for tuition, books, uniforms, and tools to those who qualify. Students must be enrolled in an eligible program and meet the requirements set forth by the organization. FMTC staff members are unable to make any final determinations on student eligibility for Workforce funding. All questions and concerns can be answered by the organization at (239) 931-8200 or (800) 557-3242.