|
THE
PRIORITY DEADLINE IS MARCH 31, 2008
WHAT IS FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID?
Grants,
Student and Parent Loans, and Work-Study
HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
1. Fill out the 2008-2009 Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) This can be done either
by obtaining a paper copy of the FAFSA by calling 1-800-4FEDAID
or going to www.fafsa.ed.gov and mailing it in to the
processor, or by going on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
It is strongly recommended that students use the online
version of the FAFSA. Students who plan to complete
the online FAFSA should first register for a PIN number
which will act as an electronic signature. Both the
student and parent can register for a PIN. To register
for a PIN, please go to http://www.pin.ed.gov.
The PIN number will be used throughout your college
career to complete business with the WCU Financial Aid
Office and the federal government.
2.
You must list WCU's Title IV School Code, 002981,
for the information to be sent to WCU.
WHAT
HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY?
1. You'll receive one of the following within a range
of one day to four weeks, depending on whether you applied
electronically or mailed in a paper FAFSA:
•
A Student Aid Report (SAR), if you applied using the
paper FAFSA and didn't provide a valid e-mail address;
or
•
A SAR Information Acknowledgement, if you applied using
FAFSA on the WEB but didn't provide a valid e-mail address,
or
•
An e-mail containing a secure link so you can access
your SAR on the Web, if you provided a valid e-mail
address when you applied.
2.
If you're a dependent student, you applied electronically,
and your parents provided their e-mail address, they
will also receive an e-mail when your FAFSA has been
processed. They won't receive your data, but they'll
know your status. If either you or they forgot to
sign your FAFSA, the e-mail your parents receive
will include information about how to sign.
3.
Your SAR (in whatever form) will list all the information
you reported on your FAFSA. If there are no corrections
or additional information required, the SAR will
contain your Expected Family Contribution (EFC),
the number used in determining your eligibility for
federal student aid. Your EFC will appear in the
upper right-hand portion of your SAR. Whether you
applied electronically or by paper, the federal processor
will send your data electronically to the schools
you list on the FAFSA.
WHAT
DO I DO WITH MY SAR?
1.
You must review it carefully to make sure it's correct
and complete. If it is, and it contains your EFC,
your school will use your information to determine
your eligibility for federal student aid funds.
2.
If you need to make corrections to the SAR, you can
do so in a number of ways:
•With
your PIN, you can make corrections online through
the Department of Education's FAFSA on the Web site,
even if you didn't apply using FAFSA on the Web.
• You can make corrections
on the paper SAR (if you received one) and return it to the address provided.
•WCU can
submit the corrections electronically.
3.
You can change your address, change the schools you
want to receive your FAFSA information, or change
your answer to Question 31 (concerning a drug conviction)
by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center
at 800-433-3243. You cannot make any other changes
over the phone. To have the Federal Student Aid Information
Center change your schools, you must provide your
Data Release Number (DRN), located in the lower left-hand
corner of the first few pages of the SAR.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WCU RECEIVES MY INFORMATION?
1. Once you have been accepted for admission and we
receive your information from the federal processor,
a Missing Information Letter (MIL) will be mailed to
you requesting any documentation needed. Please be aware
that continuing students will only receive the first
MIL by mail. All subsequent correspondence will be by
e-mail, requesting that students use their CyberCat
Pipeline accounts to check their missing documents online.
Freshman and transfer students will receive correspondence
by mail until class begins and they have access to a
CyberCat Pipeline account. A Personal Data Sheet (PDA)
will be sent to the student to complete and return to
the Financial Aid Office along with any other forms
required. Examples of such forms may be a Verification
Form, 2007
Federal Tax forms (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ) from parent(s)
and student, etc. All students must complete a PDA and
it is often the only additional form needed before an
award can be made. Click PDA
at the top of the column on the left to
view and print the PDA in PDF format or request one
from the office at finaid@WCU.edu.
Note: the PDA forms must be returned by mail
because they require a written signature. Therefore,
they cannot be sent electronically.
2.
When the student file is complete and the student
has been admitted as a degree seeking student, the
student's file will be reviewed. During the review
process, other documentation and/or corrections may
be required.
3.
For entering students, when all information is received
and necessary corrections have been made, the award
will be completed. For continuing students, the awards
will not be made until after spring grades have been
reviewed.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY AWARD HAS BEEN MADE?
1. A Financial Aid Notification (FAN) will be mailed to you indicating all
types and amounts of aid you are eligible to receive for the fall and spring
semesters. Continuing students will only receive their first FAN by mail. All
subsequent correspondence will be by e-mail, requesting students use their
CyberCat Pipeline account to review their financial aid awards. Freshman and
transfer students will receive correspondence by mail until classes begin and
they have access to a CyberCat Pipeline account.
2.
You should review the FAN and return it to the Financial
Aid Office ONLY if you want to reject or reduce one
or more of the aid types awarded.
3.
If loans are accepted by the student and/or parent,
information about completing the required promissory
note will be mailed to the borrower.
ALL FIRST TIME BORROWERS MUST COMPLETE AN ENTRANCE INTERVIEW
BEFORE FUNDS CAN BE DISBURSED. Directions for completing
this requirement will be mailed to the student prior
to enrollment.
4.
All awards accepted by the student, except for Work-Study,
will be applied to the student's account. After a student
registers for classes, he/she will receive a Fee Bill
showing all school charges and any financial aid available
to cover the charges. The fee bill, and any money due
after financial aid awards have been considered, must
be returned to the Controller's Office by the payment
deadline indicated on the bill to avoid having classes
cancelled. Fee bills for the fall semester will be mailed
in July, 2008.
5.
If the student receives Work-Study, they will choose
a job on campus through the Work-Study Coordinator.
They will receive a monthly check for all hours worked.
HELPFUL HINTS
1. Apply early- Fill out the FAFSA as soon as
possible after January 1, 2008.
2.
Be Accurate- Read all instructions carefully.
Make sure you use your correct social security number
and birth date on all appliction forms.
3.
Be Responsible- It is your responsibility to
complete all application forms and follow through with
the process.
4. Reapply
each year- Your financial aid is not renewed
automatically. You must submit a FAFSA each year. |
