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Financial Aid Tips

  1. File your FAFSA by March 1, 2007 for 2007 -2008. Students filing after that date will be applying for remaining financial aid funds available (typically Pell grant and Stafford loans).
  2. Be accurate and complete when filing FAFSA.
  3. Don't leave a field blank. If a question doesn't apply, enter "0".
  4. Allow 4-8 weeks for financial aid application processing.
  5. Make sure that all required signatures are on the FAFSA before mailing. If you are completing the web version, make sure that you write down your confirmation number and print the signature sheet. Mail the signature sheet to the FAFSA processor given on the website. Students who have a pin number may use the pin number as their signature. Students who do not have or don't know their PIN and parents of dependent students can obtain a PIN to use as signature at the Department of Education PIN site.
  6. Review your student aid report (SAR) carefully, follow any instructions provided.
  7. If you are awarded financial aid, review your offer letter carefully and return it promptly.
  8. Set up direct deposit with cashier's office to have any excess federal Stafford loan funds automatically deposited to your checking or savings account after all the charges have been deducted. You can obtain a direct deposit form from cashier's office.
  9. Notify the financial aid office immediately of any scholarships, grants, stipends, fellowships, or other awards that you will be receiving, if they are not listed on your award letter. Remember, we may be required to make adjustments to the financial aid offered to you. If you receive money from other sources at anytime during the year, your awards may be reduced.
  10. Be sure to update your current mailing address at the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices so that you will receive your mail in a timely manner.