STEPS TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

• SUBMIT the FAFSA:  All students who wish to be considered for need-based federal aid and institutional grant assistance must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  The easiest way to complete the FAFSA is to apply online.  Students (and parents of dependent students) will need to obtain a PIN in order to sign the FAFSA electronically.  Paper copies of the FAFSA are also available from any high school guidance office or post-secondary institution’s financial aid office.  The FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA should be completed (on paper or via the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov) as soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year.  NC State’s priority filing date for submitting this form to the federal student aid processing center is MARCH 1.  Students who submit FAFSAs by the priority filing date are given first consideration for all scholarship and grant assistance awarded by the university.  NC State’s school code for the FAFSA is 002972. 

• RETAIN a copy of the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA for your file.  Also, be sure to retain copies of your/your parents’ tax returns in case they are requested later.  (Do not send tax returns or other documentation with your FAFSA). 

• CHECK YOUR E- MAIL:  Within approximately four weeks of completing the FAFSA, you should receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) indicating that your FAFSA has been processed and sent to the institutions you designated. If you provided an email address, you will receive an email notification with instructions for viewing and printing your SAR.  If you did not provide a valid email address, a paper SAR will be mailed to you.  Check the SAR for accuracy, and make sure that NC State is listed as a recipient of your information.  If NC State is listed as a recipient of your data, that information should be transmitted electronically to the institution for review.

• SUBMIT the NC State Institutional Financial Aid Application, a form that is only required of entering freshmen or first time aid applicants. The NC State Institutional Financial Aid Application form may be printed directly from our link located on our Forms and Publications page, requested from the NC State Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, or one will be mailed to you automatically upon receipt of your electronic FAFSA data from the federal processing center. 

• SUBMIT any other requested documentation promptly.  You may be requested to submit copies of tax returns or other documentation to complete your financial aid application.  Respond promptly to these requests to assure timely processing of your application.

• AWARD NOTIFICATIONS:   Financial aid award packages are mailed to entering freshmen and transfer students whose files are complete by the priority filing date (March 1) as soon after March 1 as possible.  All on-time entering students should receive award notifications by May 1.  Continuing students are notified after spring grades have been entered and satisfactory progress reviewed, generally beginning around June 1. 

• AWARD CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Be sure to read the materials accompanying your award letter for conditions attached to your award.  If awarded federal or university loan assistance, a promissory note must be signed and returned before funds will be disbursed. 

• ENTRANCE LOAN COUNSELING:  Prior to receiving your first disbursement of Federal Perkins and Federal Stafford Loan funds you will be required to complete an entrance loan counseling session.  Perkins entrance loan counseling materials will be mailed to you.  Federal Stafford Loan counseling is provided via the web at http://mapping-your-future.org. 

• CHECK WITH YOUR LENDER:  If you are awarded a Federal Stafford Loan, your eligibility will be certified either electronically or manually (depending upon your chosen lender) and your lender will be in touch with you when the loan has been approved. 

• FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENT:  Financial aid is awarded by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid but is disbursed by the University Cashier’s Office.  Aid awards made for the academic year are usually disbursed in two installments at the beginning of each semester, assuming you are registered for the number of hours on which your financial aid award was based.  If your award is made after the semester has begun, university and federal grant funds will be disbursed electronically within 48 to 72 hours.  If your award package includes Federal Stafford Loan funds, those funds will be disbursed as soon as sent to NC State by your chosen lender.  Please see http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/cashier/ for additional disbursement information. 

• SUMMER SCHOOL FINANCIAL AID:  You will need to complete a separate NC State Institutional Application for Summer Financial Aid if you need funds for summer school.  Those forms are generally available in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid by March 15 for the upcoming summer, and must be completed within specified deadlines each year. You must be enrolled for at least 6 hours in summer to receive a Stafford Loan.   Generally this is the only aid available for summer school.

        For more information about loans and how to apply for loans, scholarships, and grants, go to the College Foundation of North Carolina website at http://www.cfnc.org

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