Columbia Central

How do I resolve my Caution Flag?

A complete list of C-Flags and the documents needed to resolve them are listed below. Please contact Columbia Central if you have any questions.

• Citizenship Status

  When you submitted your FAFSA, your application was sent to the Social Security Administration to verify your citizenship status. The Social Security Administration could not confirm that you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

  If you are a U.S. citizen: Before you can be considered for federal student aid, you must complete a Proof of U.S. Citizenship form in the presence of an SFS representative or a notary; present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID; and provide one of the following documents: U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Birth Abroad Certificate, U.S. Passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship.

  If you are an eligible non-citizen: Before you can be considered for federal student aid, you must complete a Proof of Eligible Non-citizenship Status form in the presence of an SFS representative or a notary; present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID; and provide one of the following documents: non-expired Permanent Residence Card, non-expired Resident Alien Card, valid non-expired Form 1-94 or 1-94A, or valid non-expired Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV).

• Default on Federal Student Loans

  When you submitted your FAFSA, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) indicated that you are in Default on at least one federal student loan, which means you have failed to repay the loan according to the terms agreed to in the promissory note. 

  In order to regain federal student aid eligibility, you must provide documentation from the Department of Education or a letter on institutional letterhead from the school associated with the loan that your loan is either paid in full or has been consolidated, or that you are meeting satisfactory repayment arrangements. 

  For more detailed information regarding loan default, visit the NSLDS for Students website at studentaid.gov or call 800-433-3243.

• Discharged Federal Student Loans

  When you submitted your FAFSA, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) indicated that you have prior loans discharged due to disability. 

  To further receive federal loan funds, you must submit:

  1. Certification from a legally licensed physician (DO,DE), licensed Nurse Practitioner (NP), licensed Physician's Assistant (PA), or licensed Clinical Pyschologist stating that a) your condition has improved and that: b) you have the ability to engage in substantial gainful activity, and c) you can attend school.
  2. A signed statement that you are aware that a new student loan cannot later be canceled on the basis of any present impairment, unless that condition substantially deteriorates and the definition of total and permanent disability is again met.
• Social Security Number or Date of Birth Mismatch

  Your FAFSA application contains one or more discrepancies:

  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) was unable to verify the Social Security Number used to complete your FAFSA. If the name and social security number shown on your FAFSA Submission Summary are correct, you must contact the Social Security Administration Office to resolve this problem. In the interim, you may provide a copy of your signed Social Security Card as proof you filed your FAFSA correctly.

  • According to the Social Security Administration records, the date of birth you reported on your FAFSA does not correspond with the Social Security Number you reported. If the date of birth is incorrect in your MyColumbia portal, please go to Columbia Central to correct the date of birth and bring a copy of your driver’s license/state ID. If the date of birth is incorrect on your FAFSA Submission Summary, log on to studentaid.gov and make the necessary corrections to your FAFSA Submission Summary.
• Bankruptcy

  When you submitted your FAFSA, the National Student Loan Database System indicated that you had a debt discharged (federal student loan or a grant overpayment) in an active bankruptcy claim.

  Upon review of the information provided in NSLDS, Columbia will determine if you’re eligible to receive Federal Student Aid. There is no documentation for you to submit.

  Please note: If your bankruptcy schedules include a defaulted Title IV loan or grant overpayment, you will be considered ineligible for additional Title IV aid until the default or overpayment status has been resolved.
• Federal Aid Overpayment

  When you submitted your FAFSA, the National Student Loan Data System indicated that you have an overpayment of federal student aid funds.

  In order to regain federal student aid eligibility, you must provide documentation from the Department of Education or a letter on institutional letterhead from the school associated with the loans that your overpayment is either paid in full or that you are making satisfactory repayment arrangements.

  For more detailed information regarding your federal overpayment, please visit the NSLDS for Students website at studentaid.gov or call 800-433-3243.

• Veterans Status Match

  You indicated on your FAFSA that you are a veteran; however, the Department of Veteran's Affairs could not confirm your status as a veteran.

  Please submit a copy of your long form DD214 (Member 4 copy) for review.

• Aggregate Loan Limit

  When you submitted your FAFSA, the National Student Loan Data System indicated you have borrowed over the aggregate loan limits.

  You are not eligible for any Federal Student Financial Aid until the overborrowed amount of the loan is repaid or you have made satisfactory repayment arrangements. Payments and payment arrangements must be made with the loan servicer and not Columbia College Chicago. 

  For more detailed information and your loan servicer information, please visit the NSLDS Website for Students at studentaid.gov or call 800-433-3243.
• Fraud

  When you submitted your FAFSA, the National Student Loan Data System indicated that you have been convicted of, or have plead guilty to, a crime involving fraud in obtaining Title IV aid. You are not eligible to receive any federal financial aid.

  In order to regain eligibility, you must repay the fraudulently obtained funds to the US Department of Education or the loan holder. Once the payment has been received and noted on NSLDS, Columbia College Chicago will review the eligibility status and award the Federal Student Financial Aid.

  For more detailed information about this caution flag, please visit the NSLDS website for students at studentaid.gov or call 800-433-3243.
• Unusual Enrollment History

  When you submitted your FAFSA, the National Student Loan Data System indicated that additional review of your enrollment history is required to determine your eligibility to receive Federal Financial Aid. You will be contacted via email if you are required to submit additional documentation to confirm your continued eligibility for federal financial aid.

  For more detailed information about this caution flag, please visit the NSLDS website for students at studentaid.gov or call 800-433-3243.