Application Process
To qualify for federal and state financial aid programs, students must be admitted to a degree program and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSAs are available at all colleges and universities, the public library or by calling 800-433-3243.
Completing the FAFSA
There are two ways to complete the FAFSA. Do not complete more than one form of the FAFSA application. The processor will only accept one form per student.
- Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or
- Complete a FAFSA paper application or renewal application.
FAFSA Reminders
Before you mail and/or submit your FAFSA, review the checklist below:
- I answered questions 27 & 28 (sources of financial assistance).
- If applying on the WEB, remember to click the "SUBMIT" button upon completion of the application.
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Deadlines
Priority Processing Date: April 1 (preceding the start of the academic year)
The Central Processing Service will accept and process FAFSAs received by June 30, 2010; however, to receive priority consideration for campus-based financial aid, you must submit the FAFSA to the processing agency by April 1. Students who apply after April 1 will be considered for campus-based aid only if funds are available.
Illinois MAP Grant Deadlines (undergraduate only)
If you applied for financial aid in 2008–2009, your FAFSA application must be received at the federal processing center by August 15, 2009, to be considered for the Illinois MAP grant for the entire 2009–2010 academic year.
If you are filing the FAFSA for the first time, your application must be received at the federal processing center by September 30, 2009, to be considered for the Illinois MAP grant for the entire 2009–2010. The actual cut-off dates may be earlier due to funding constraints.
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GSU School Code
GSU's federal school code is 009145.
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Student Aid Report
After you complete the FAFSA and send it to the federal processor, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) acknowledgement via e‑mail or U.S. mail. If you filed the paper FAFSA, you will receive your SAR within 10 to 14 days. If you filed the FAFSA on the Web, you will receive an acknowledgement via e‑mail or a SAR within 5 to 7 weeks. This document is an acknowledgement that your FAFSA has been processed and summarizes all of the information you provided on the FAFSA.
At the same time you receive your SAR, GSU will receive the information electronically. You should review your SAR to insure that the information is accurate. If inaccurate, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
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Financial Need
Financial aid is awarded based on the information provided on the FAFSA. The information you reported is used in a formula established by the U.S. Congress. The formula determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education. Once that information is calculated we are able to determine your financial need. We will put together a “financial aid package” that comes as close as possible to meeting your need.
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Financial Aid Disbursement
Financial aid is posted to the student’s account after the 100% tuition refund deadline, which is during the third week of the term. If there is any remainder after the student’s balance is paid, it will be mailed to the student's home address in the form of a check.
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Book Card
The Office of Financial Aid offers a $300, $500 or $700 book card to students that meet the following criteria:
- Admitted to a degree-seeking program at GSU,
- Registered in at least (6) credit hours,
- Have enough financial aid to cover your tuition and fees, plus the $300 book card, and
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
A book card is an advance on your financial aid funds and will be deducted from your disbursement of awards just as tuition and fees are deducted. Book cards are available the week before classes (Block 1 only) and during the first week of the trimester during specified hours only.
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Financial Aid Tips
- Keep a photocopy of all forms, correspondence and applications sent to the Financial Aid Office and /or processing center as well as any documents used to complete the FAFSA, such as Worksheets A, B or C, federal tax returns and W2's.
- You must be degree seeking and admitted before the Financial Aid Office will process your financial aid application. However, you do not have to be admitted to GSU to apply for financial aid.
- You must complete a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA every year to be considered for financial aid (this includes loans).
- You must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours to receive a student loan.
- Research all grants and scholarship sources in your hometown. There are many scholarships that are offered and awarded by private corporations and non-profit organizations each year.
- When the FAFSA asks for the tax paid, it tells you which line on your 1040A/EZ/telefile/1040 to get the answer. Do not use the amount withheld on your W-2's.
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Tuition Payment
When you register for classes, your registration is NOT complete until you:
- pay all tuition and fees by the payment deadlines;
OR
- have signed a payment plan agreement at the cashier's office by the payment deadline;
OR
- have been awarded financial aid by the payment deadline.
If you have not been awarded financial aid by the payment deadline, your registration will be considered complete only if you have submitted a financial aid application, including all required supporting documentation, and sign a Financial Aid Validation /Promissory Note by the payment deadline.
The Financial Aid Validation/Promissory Note is available in the Office of Financial Aid or online in the Policies and Procedures section of Financial Aid. you must submit this form to the Office of Financial Aid if you have applied for financial aid but have not been awarded or your registration will be cancelled.
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