|
|
How to Apply for
Financial Aid
- Page 2
How to
Apply - The FAFSA, continued
Paper Application
Complete and mail a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as
soon as possible after January 1 of each calendar year. The FAFSA determines
eligibility for state, federal, and institutional aid based on information
that is provided on the financial aid application. FAFSAs are available
at the WNMU Financial Aid Office.
Renewal Application
At the end of every year, students who have received federal student aid
may receive a preprinted renewal application in the mail for the upcoming
academic year. If the student does not receive a renewal application,
a regular FAFSA can be picked up at the WNMU Financial Aid Office. For
questions about the renewal application, it is recommend that the student
brings it to the Financial Aid Office or call Main Campus/575-538-6173
for assistance.
FAFSA On-line
Students without computers may access FAFSA on-line through the Financial
Aid Resource Center. Ask about it at the Financial Aid Office or call
575-538-6173 for an appointment.
Students with their own PC equipped with a Windows operating system and
a modem can also transmit an electronic FAFSA to the Department of Education.
The address is http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/express.html.
Instructions on how to download the software are available on-line or
click this link to the FAO
Resource page for FAFSA on the web.
Important: If a FAFSA is filed electronically, and you
do not have your PIN, a Signature/Certification page must be printed,
signed, and if applicable have the student's parent(s) sign it. Then mail
the page to the FAFSA Processor to complete the application process.
Internet Process
With Internet access, instructions can be downloaded on how to complete
the FAFSA at the following address: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/index.html
Duplicate Student Aid Report
If a FAFSA was completed current academic year and WNMU was not listed
as a possible school of choice, the student must request a duplicate SAR.
See the section on "How To Request a Duplicate SAR" below.
 Whichever process is
chosen, please follow the directions carefully, paying special attention
to the "Student Status" section and to any questions on income.
Completing the FAFSA
If a current federal tax return was filed by the student, it must be used
to complete the "Income, Earnings and Benefits" section of the
application since it requests specific information from the tax return.
If a student did not file a tax return, don't worry, a federal tax return
is not required receive financial aid. But if a student did file, any
significant difference between the income reported on your tax return
and the income reported on the FAFSA could prompt a correction, which
will delay processing. If you intend to file a income tax return but have
not yet done so, wait until you have completed it before you complete
your financial aid application. If you are a dependent, the same advice
applies: wait until your parent(s) have completed the federal income tax
returns before completing your financial aid application.
Other useful records to have on hand while completing a FAFSA are W-2
forms, current bank statements, and, if applicable, records of benefits
received from the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration,
Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and other agencies. Do not mail
any of these documents with the FAFSA, but do save any records and other
materials used to complete the application for future reference. See section
on "Financial Aid Tips" below.
Financial aid staff are available to help review and complete financial
aid applications before being mailed. Contact the Financial Aid Office
for an appointment.
Incorrect Information
If federal financial aid is received based on incorrect information; the
portion of the aid that the student is ineligible for must be repaid.
Also, any person who intentionally makes false statements or misrepresentations
on a federal aid application is violating the law and subject to a fine
of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to five years or both, under provisions
of the U.S. Criminal Code.
<< Previous Page Back
to top Next page >> |
