Financial Aid INfORmation

You may now begin the financial aid process with our School. Our University requires that all CWRU financial aid departments use the same software platform. This creates a more uniform financial aid process across the University, allows integration with the student registration system, and streamlines the financial aid process now and throughout your time here. This is a multi-step process and we will try to make it as smooth as possible. Please submit all required financial aid information as soon as possible so that financial aid awards can be made promptly; delayed information submission will lead to delays in aid packaging.

Please follow the steps below:

Step 1

If you have not done so already, please enter your social security number on your iApply Status Page (example below). Your social security number will be used to create your student record and provide you access to the Financial Aid Application. The Financial Aid Office also requires your social security number to access your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Step 2

Within 48 to 72 hours of submitting your social security number, you will find some unique identification information along with a PIN number posted on your iApply Status Page. It may take a few days for these to post on iApply. Your CWRU Network ID will need to be activated before you begin the Financial Aid Application. On your Status Page and here, you will find a link for “Activating Your CWRU Network ID” and it is important to note that it may take about 48 hours for the activation to complete as your IDs are propagated throughout various University servers.

Step 3

Once your CWRU Network ID has been activated, you are ready to begin the Financial Aid application. Below is a set of slides that details our Financial Aid Requirements. Read through this information carefully!

If you experience login issues with the financial aid website, please contact our Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Ms. Sara Donnelly, at either 216-368-3666 or sara.donnelly@case.edu. Also, please contact us should you or your parents have any questions.

Also, please know that there is not any specific order required to complete the financial aid process. While you’re waiting for your CWRU Network ID to activate or you’re waiting on your tax forms, you can be completing FAFSA and 2018-2019 CSS PROFILE too!

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 1ST.

(BUT PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!)

FAQs

When is aid dispersed?

Aid will be dispersed on July 16th and refunds will happen on July 20th.

Is it OK if I redact the social security numbers on the tax forms I send in?

Yes, we understand people's concerns regarding this sensitive information and you welcome to remove the SSN's for you and your family members.

How do you want me to send in my documents?

We understand that this can be a confusing process, especially if you're doing this process with multiple medical schools. Please send your documents to us via postal mail or uploading them into OnBase (see instructions in the PowerPoint slides above). We will not accept tax forms by email or fax.

I am having trouble uploading my documents. What should I do?

Make sure that you are using Internet Explorer for your browser and that the documents are in PDF format. Please do not submit pictures, as our system is unable to read them. If you try this and still have trouble, call our office.

My parents filed their taxes jointly. Should I upload their tax return twice?

No, we understand that this is very common and you only have to upload their tax return once. Please do so under the "Parent 1 Tax Return". If you happen to upload it twice, we can clear out duplicates.

My parents (or I) worked abroad in 2016 and the tax information is foreign. How should I handle this?

Please make sure to translate the necessary financial information sections (i.e. wages, gross income, business income, investments, etc.) to English and convert all monetary information to USD. Make sure to label the documents as converted, so we know that the currency is correct. Most students who need to do this have been successful in using a PDF editor to write directly on the foreign tax form.

When I submitted my documents, I only received a blank screen. Is this normal?

Yes. Our system does not give a confirmation of successful upload. We are working with our data management system IT to change this for the future.

How do I know if my upload of documents was successful or that the Office of Financial Aid has everything needed from me?

After you upload new documents, please allow 2 to 3 business days for our office to check the documents and mark them as received in your My Financial Aid portal (see instructions in the PowerPoint slides above). Remember to periodically check your My Financial Aid portal after you upload documents until you see all fields marked as complete. When a field is not marked complete, we need you to upload those corresponding documents, so we can assess your financial need and package you with aid. If we have a specific concern or question about your documents, we will reach out to you via your CWRU email address.

Have questions? Feel free to contact our Financial Aid Office anytime!

Mrs. Wanda Rollins, Director of Financial Aid: wanda.rollins@case.edu or 216-368-3483

or

Ms. Sara Donnelly, Assistant Director of Financial Aid: sara.donnelly@case.edu or 216-368-3666

Quick Reference Links (Read through the slides first to understand the financial aid process at our School):

• FAFSA: https://fafsa.gov/
• CSS Profile: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
• CWRU Financial Aid Application - (click on Application Procedures): http://casemed.case.edu/financial_aid/
• OnBase: https://docm-unity.case.edu/Uforms/MDFADocumentSubmission_Uform.aspx