General Questions
1. When is the Financial Aid Office open?
2. Why is it when I try calling your office I can never get through?
3. Why can’t you tell my spouse, parents, or outside agencies what kind of aid I have been awarded?
4. When do I apply for financial aid?
5. What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
6. If I miss the priority deadline, can I still get financial aid?
7. Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
8. I’m not admitted to Nicholls yet. Do I have to wait until I am admitted before I apply for financial aid?
9. I probably don’t qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?
10. I only want a loan. Do I have to file a FAFSA?
11. What is the DRN number?
12. What is a Federal PIN?
13. How do I apply for student financial aid at Nicholls?
14. When I originally completed the FAFSA, I did not list Nicholls State University as a school choice. How do I now list Nicholls?
15. Do I need to submit other documents to Nicholls?
16. Should I keep copies of the information I submitted for my file?
17. I did not keep a copy of my tax return. How do I request a copy?
18. Do I need to submit tax returns?
19. What is verification? And why was I chosen?
20. What do I do if something changes after I file?
21. Is financial aid available for the Summer?
22. When do I apply for Summer aid?
23. I was told that I have to be full-time to receive financial aid. Is that right?
24. Can I receive financial aid if I already have a bachelor’s degree?
25. Am I allowed to receive financial aid from more than one institution at the same time?
26. Will my financial aid transfer from one school to another?
27. I think that I am going to get a scholarship. Will that affect my aid?
28. Can audit courses be used to receive financial aid?
29. My parents want to help, but they can’t afford the amount of the family contribution. What can I do?
1. When is the Financial Aid Office open?
We are open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
2. Why is it when I try calling your office I can never get through?
Our office handles several hundred phone calls per day during peak times. We have 2 incoming phone lines that stay constantly busy. A good strategy if you are in the area is to stop by in person. You may also try other means, such as e-mail or fax.
3. Why can’t you tell my spouse, parents, or outside agencies what kind of aid I have been awarded?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as the Buckley Amendment) limits access to educational records without express written consent.
4. When do I apply for financial aid?
As soon as possible after January 1 of the school year you plan to attend. You must reapply every year.
5. What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
To receive maximum consideration for aid, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 4 weeks prior to the priority dates indicated each semester.
- Fall 2008 - April 15, 2008 (use 2008-2009 FAFSA application)
- Spring 2009 - October 31, 2007 (use 2007-2008 FAFSA application)
6. If I miss the priority deadline, can I still get financial aid?
If you miss the priority deadline, you are still encouraged to apply for financial aid. If you are eligible and have paid your tuition, you will be reimbursed after the semester begins.
7. Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes. You must reapply for financial aid each year by completing the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA.
8. I’m not admitted to Nicholls yet. Do I have to wait until I am admitted before I apply for financial aid?
No. Students do not have to be admitted to Nicholls in order to file their FAFSA. You should file your FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible, but your aid will not be disbursed if you are not admitted.
9. I probably don’t qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?
Yes, any student who is looking for assistance with the cost of higher education should apply for financial aid. Most people have the misconception that income is the only factor in determining financial need. Other variables are also considered, such as family size, number of family members in college, age of older parent, savings, investments, and various allowances to income and assets. There are also a few sources of aid, such as unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans, that are available regardless of need.
10. I only want a loan. Do I have to file a FAFSA?
Yes. The FAFSA is the backbone of determining what type of loan you are eligible to apply for. All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA so that we can determine what type of loan would be in your best interest.
11. What is the DRN number?
The DRN number stands for Data Release Number. It is the confidential four-digit number found in the lower left hand corner on the Student Aid Report (SAR). A financial aid applicant needs to provide the DRN when communicating with the Federal Student Aid Information Center regarding Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and SAR processing.
12. What is a Federal PIN?
A PIN is a 4-digit numeric code or a 6-digit alpha code that you need to:
* Sign your FAFSA, Renewal FAFSA or FAFSA Corrections on the Web electronically (no paper signature page required).
* View the status and/or results of your FAFSA, Renewal FAFSA or FAFSA Corrections on the Web over the Internet.
* Access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Web site (www.nslds.ed.gov) and view information about loans and other federal student aid you may have received.
Your PIN is similar to the PIN you use to access your bank account. To protect the privacy of the information you are submitting, you must keep your PIN secret. If you do not have a PIN, have lost or forgotten your PIN, or if you think someone else knows your PIN, you can request a new one at www.pin.ed.gov. If you are a dependent, one of your parents should have his/her own PIN to electronically sign your FAFSA and any correction you may need to make.
13. How do I apply for student financial aid at Nicholls?
The first step to apply for financial aid at Nicholls is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA may be obtained in our office in Otto B. Candies Hall, or completed and submitted on-line. Once your FAFSA is processed and we receive your SAR, we may request additional paperwork.
14. When I originally completed the FAFSA, I did not list Nicholls State University as a school choice. How do I now list Nicholls?
Contact us and provide us with your name, social security number, date of birth, and DRN. We will be able to add Nicholls to your application so that we can obtain your financial aid information.
15. Do I need to submit other documents to Nicholls?
You will have to complete a Financial Aid Data Form and any other forms/documents requested by us. Remember to include your name and social security number on all documentation submitted, including parent documents.
16. Should I keep copies of the information I submitted for my file?
Yes! Keep copies of all forms completed and any materials used to prepare the forms, such as tax returns.
17. I did not keep a copy of my tax return. How do I request a copy?
You can obtain a copy by contacting the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-1040. (and ask for an “RTFTP”) You should request form number 17-22. We accept copies of your 1040 EZ, 1040 A, 1040, 1040 PC. No state returns or form 8354 summaries are accepted.
18. Do I need to submit tax returns?
You only need to submit tax returns if we request them.
19. What is verification? And why was I chosen?
Verification is a review process in which the Office of Financial Aid determines the accuracy of the information provided on the student’s financial aid application. During the verification process the student and parent will be required to submit documentation for the amounts listed (or not listed) on the financial aid application. Such documentation may include signed copies of the most recent Federal income tax returns for you, your spouse (if any), and your parents, proof of citizenship, proof of registration with Selective Service, and copies of Social Security benefit statements and W2 and 1099 forms, among other things.
Financial aid applications are randomly selected by the Federal processor for verification. If there is an asterisk next to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) figure on your Student Aid Report (SAR), your SAR has been selected for verification. Schools may also select additional students for verification.
If any discrepancies are uncovered during verification, the financial aid office may require additional information to clear up the discrepancies. If you refuse to submit the required documentation, your financial aid package will be cancelled and no aid awarded.
20. What do I do if something changes after I file?
If something changes after you submit the FAFSA, you should contact our office to discuss what circumstances have changed. For some situations, such as a loss of income compared with the income you used to complete your FAFSA, we can re-evaluate your financial aid. Some changes will make no difference to your aid eligibility, and still other changes are not allowed. You should meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss your individual situation and determine the correct course of action.
21. Is financial aid available for the Summer?
Yes. Summer ends our financial aid year, so you must first complete the FAFSA from the prior year. You must also complete a Summer Financial Aid Data Form.
22. When do I apply for Summer aid?
Summer Financial Aid Applications are available in the Office of Financial Aid lobby beginning in March. Priority deadline for the Summer 2007 session is April 15, 2007.
23. I was told that I have to be full-time to receive financial aid. Is that right?
No, you do not have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid. For most programs you can receive funding for half-time (6-8 credits), three-quarter time (9-11 credits), or full time (12+ credits). You may be enrolled less than half-time and be eligible for the Pell Grant program. In order to receive a student loan you must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. Based on the enrollment status information that you provide when you apply, we will process your award. If you change your mind about your enrollment status, you should contact us immediately.
24. Can I receive financial aid if I already have a bachelor’s degree?
Financial aid includes grants, loans and work-study. If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you are not eligible to receive grant funds, but are fully eligible to be considered for loans and work-study.
25. Am I allowed to receive financial aid from more than one institution at the same time?
No. If you are enrolled at more than one college or university at the same time, you may receive financial aid from one of the institutions, not both. Contact us for more information.
26. Will my financial aid transfer from one school to another?
No. Financial aid does not transfer from school to school. Students planning to transfer to another school should contact the Office of Financial Aid at both schools to find out what is required.
27. I think that I am going to get a scholarship. Will that affect my aid?
Your financial aid from all sources cannot exceed the cost of attendance established by the University. If you receive a scholarship, whether it is from the college or from a private source, you should notify the Office of Financial Aid. We are required to review your aid package to make sure that you are not receiving more aid than your total cost of attendance. In many cases we are able to include your scholarship without adjusting any of your other aid. Sometimes we have to reduce or replace another form of aid. In that case, we always attempt to reduce or replace any loans that you might have been offered since loans must be repaid in the future. We encourage you to explore scholarship opportunities as an important and valuable means to help finance your college education.
28. Can audit courses be used to receive financial aid?
No. Audit course hours cannot be used to fulfill your hour requirement for financial aid.
29. My parents want to help, but they can’t afford the amount of the family contribution. What can I do?
Your parents can apply for a Federal PLUS Loan to satisfy your family’s contribution.
