Financial Aid Process

The financial aid process is a series of steps you and/or your parents take to determine if you are eligible for any financial assistance for college. You will take the following steps during this process:

1. Determine your need.
   • Subtract your savings, expected earnings and gifts from the total cost of attendance to find out how much financial aid you need.
2. Apply for a personal identification number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.govOpens a new window.
   • Students and parents each need their own PIN.
   • Use your PIN to sign, make changes to and check the status of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to electronically sign for federal loans.
3. Complete the FAFSA.
   • The FAFSA is a free form that may be completed without professional assistance via the paper or electronic form provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Visit www.fafsa.govOpens a new window for an online application or call (800) 4-FED-AID, or (800) 433-3243, for a paper form.
   • Results of this form are used to determine federal financial aid, as well as many types of state and institutional aid.
4. Receive your results.
   • You'll receive a student aid report (SAR) a few weeks after you file the FAFSA. Follow instructions to make changes or verify information.
   • Each school you named on your FAFSA will receive the same report and use it to create an award letter that explains the financial assistance you may qualify for.
5. Accept your awards from the school you plan to attend.
   • Accept all scholarships and grants — they do not need to be repaid, so they're like free money.
   • Decide whether to accept any work-study or federal loans offered. Remember, you don't need to accept full loan amounts if you can get by with less.
   • Follow instructions for signing and returning any forms.