The Financial Aid Process

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Students and parents need to apply for a PIN which will be used to digitally sign the FAFSA at this same site.  Make sure that students visit the authentic FAFSA website.  

Listed below are some of the things that you will need to have before you apply:

• Social Security Number, including parents' or spouse's number, if needed for your dependency status
• Driver's License (if applicable)
• Prior year's W-2 forms and other records of earned income for student, parent(s) and spouse
• Prior year's federal tax return for student, parent(s) and spouse
• Prior year's untaxed income such as Social Security, federal or state assistance, veteran's benefits, etc. 
• Current bank statements for student, parent(s) and spouse
• Other types of records containing business, mortgage, farm and/or investment information 
• Alien registration card or permanent resident card if you are not a U.S. Citizen

When the student receives the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education, the student will need to contact the college(s) of choice to make sure the a copy of the SAR is on file with the financial aid office.  The SAR contains the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) amount based on the income and debt information which the financial aid officer uses to put together an Award Letter.

The student needs to be on the lookout for the award letter(s) from the college(s) of choice via email or U.S. Mail.  The letter will contain specific instructions on how to accept the listed scholarships, grants or loans.  Following these instructions in a timely manner is imperative because occasionally financial aid offices will reallocate unclaimed institutional funds to other students demonstrating need.