Financial Aid Application Checklist
DIRECTIONS: Use this checklist to plan what you need to do to apply for and receive financial aid. Use the Print Page feature at the bottom of this page to print this form.
Duplicate this checklist for each school to which you are applying. Due to limited resources, student aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Many of these checklist items have deadline dates so you should indicate the date by which you will need to complete each item. Check off each Action Item as you complete it.
Due Date School:_____________________________________
_________Request financial aid information and application forms from the school to which you are planning to apply. Request information regarding any need-based and non-need-based institutional grants and scholarships. When you receive this information, note all required application materials and their deadlines below.
_________Request information from your state regarding all state student aid program for postsecondary education and any required application forms and materials. When you receive this information, note all required application materials and their deadlines, many of which appear in the checklist below.
_________Investigate private sources of financial aid. Check with your school and local libraries, local businesses and civic organizations, and your parents' employer(s). Take advantage of free Internet scholarship search engines, such as: FinAid on the Web – www.finaid.org The College Board-http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp FastWeb – http://www.fastweb.com/
_________Check the following sources to verify the legitimacy of any financial aid consultants or search services you may use or hire and for tips on avoiding scholarship scams: U.S. Department of Education: www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/lsa/index.html Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams Better Business Bureau: www.bbb.com
_________Obtain a Federal Student Aid ID for use throughout the federal aid process during and after college from the U.S. Department of Education's ID Web site at https://fafsa.ed.gov/.
_________File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically using FAFSA on the Web, which contains built-in edits to help prevent costly mistakes at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible on or after January 1.
_________Complete and submit all institutional financial aid application materials before all deadlines.
_________Apply for state financial aid before the application deadline and promptly reply to any requests for additional information.
_________Promptly respond to any school requests for additional information or documentation, such as copies of federal tax returns, verification worksheets, or other forms.
_________Review your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you via e-mail or postal mail after you file the FAFSA, for accuracy. If necessary, correct inaccurate items on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov or on the paper SAR, if you receive one.
_________Read all application materials and financial aid notifications. Most financial aid funds have conditions for receipt and renewal, such as earning a certain grade point average (GPA) or being enrolled full time. Details are important, so be sure to avoid costly mistakes!
_________Promptly sign and return your financial aid award letter if your school requires your signed acceptance of the aid being offered. Contact the financial aid office if you have any questions about your award.
_________Notify the financial aid office if you have applied for assistance, but no longer wish to attend the school.
_________Complete the promissory note for any loan(s) you are offered and wish to accept. Before you sign the promissory note, make sure you read and understand all of your rights and responsibilities. The financial aid office may have you sign either an electronic or paper promissory note. If you do not want to use an electronic promissory note, ask the financial aid office for a paper one. Check with the financial aid office regarding any loan counseling you must complete before you may receive the loan proceeds.
_________If you have been awarded Federal Work-Study (FWS) assistance, find out how students are placed in FWS positions and what FWS positions are available, including descriptions of job responsibilities and wages.
_________Promptly notify the financial aid office of any outside or private scholarship, grant, or other types of student aid you have received or expect to receive.
_________Keep copies of all application materials in your records for future reference.