By filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you are applying for federal student loans. Your federal work study eligibility is also determined from this form.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If this is your first time filling out this form, you will need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete. You can request a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Electronically signing the FAFSA with your PIN reduces the total processing time. Our federal school code is 003131.
   
   FAFSA Processing Year 2012-2013 - Beginning in January 2012, all 2012-2013 applicants who indicate that they have filed their federal tax returns prior to completing their FAFSA and who are otherwise eligible will be directed to use the FAFSA-IRS Data Retrieval process to complete their FAFSA more easily and accurately. Applicants who chose not to use the FAFSA-IRS Data Retrieval process, or who retrieve IRS data but subsequently change it, will be informed that they will need to explain to their institutions why information they provided is more accurate than the information that would have been obtained directly from the IRS, and depending on their responses may need to provide information obtained directly from the IRS.

   Some applicants are not eligible to use the FAFSA-IRS Data Retrieval process - including married couples who file separate tax returns and applicants whose marital status has changed since January 1 of the processing year.
   Applicants who file their IRS income tax returns electronically can expect their tax return information to be available for retrieval and transfer within two weeks of filing. Information for paper tax return filers will generally be available within eight weeks of filing.
   
   Some applicants who are otherwise eligible to use the FAFSA-IRS Data Retrieval process will not have filed their income tax returns prior to completing the FAFSA. In these instances, information on the web pages will remind the applicant that once they have filed their tax return with the IRS they should, using the FAFSA on-line corrections process, access their IRS information using the FAFSA-IRS Data applicants, as required by the law.

2. Submit requested documents. Additional documentation may be required to determine your financial aid eligibility. You will be notified by mail if we require additional documentation. The additional forms can be downloaded for your convenience.

3. Sign and return your Award Notification. Once we have received your FAFSA and all requested documents, your financial aid eligibility will be determined and you will receive a financial aid award letter. To accept/decline or reduce the financial aid awarded to you, you must sign and return your award notification. Or you may accept, decline and/or reduce your Federal Direct Stafford Loan online through Self-Service.

4. Complete the 2012-13 Application for the Federal Grad/Plus Loan. If you plan to use Federal Grad/Plus Loan to finance your education, you must complete the application to begin processing the loan. This application procedure will be included in your Award Notification packet or complete the Federal Grad/Plus loan application, promissory note and Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov.

5. Awards are contingent upon continued funding from federal, state, and institutional sources, and state legislative decisions regarding tuition. Awards are subject to change and may be rescinded or reduced if funding is insufficient or discontinued, or if tuition amounts change.  Your financial aid is also subject to change based on error, omissions, receipt of additional aid resources, or changes in your eligibility.

6. Financial Aid Academic Progress.To remain eligible for aid students are responsible for class participation and achieving academic progress by completing all enrolled courses with passing grades. Course drops, withdrawals and failed classes can cause a reduction in aid for the term and loss of future aid.

7. Disbursement on Attending Hours. Aid will disburse based on hours you are actually attending at the time eligibility for disbursement is reviewed. Classes start throughout the semester (flex courses, etc.). It is at the point you are attending at least half-time hours (6 credit hours) that aid will disburse to your student account.

8. Understanding Financial Aid Disbursement for Three Semesters. Most aid programs do not increase in dollars to accommodate attending three terms during the academic year (summer, fall, spring). The Federal Stafford Loan annual limits remain the same; the loan would be divided into three terms (summer, fall, spring) and not the standard academic year of fall – spring.  As a result of a change in federal regulations, Law students now also have an opportunity to borrow Grad/ PLUS Loans.  Law students may borrow up to the total estimated cost of attendance less any other financial aid/resources received to accommodate attending three terms during the academic year. The application for the Grad PLUS Loan is available online at www.studentloans.gov . Law students not eligible for federal financial aid may find it necessary to borrow loan funds through alternative loan sources.