Deadline
Date
When you receive your financial aid package, you will be required
to select the type of aid you will accepted or decline, sign,
and date your award letter, and return a copy to the school’s
financial aid office by a certain deadline date specified
in the letter. It is important that you carefully read all
the instructions and to include all requested documentation
and complete additional forms (as necessary). Failure to respond
by the deadline may result in denial or reduced financial
aid. A portion of your financial aid may be offered to another
student that has financial need. Before mailing your award
letter back to the school, you should make a copy for your
records.
If you have been admitted to more than one school, you
will receive a financial aid package from each school. Review
and compare the financial aid packages among the various
schools. Once you have decided upon the school you will
attend, notify the other schools that you applied to, so
they can offer admission and financial aid to another eligible
student interested in continuing his/her education.
Unmet Need
The financial aid office creates an award package that comes
as close as possible to meeting your financial need. Unfortunately,
financial aid funds are limited. The school’s financial
aid office may not be able to provide you with financial
aid to meet your entire demonstrated financial need.
In some cases, the school may tell you that you have an
"unmet need". “Unmet need” indicates
that you must obtain financial aid from other sources, if
you want to attend their school.
You are expected to obtain funds for Unmet Need(s) through:
• Summer employment earnings.
• Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate
Students (PLUS).
• Alternative loans (Private
loans).
• Institutional loans.
• Other options (i.e. Home equity
loan, Employer loan, Prepaid Tuition Plan, etc.)
Special/Unusual Circumstances
If your family’s situation has changed since you filed
the FAFSA, contact the school’s financial aid office
to update your record. In some cases, a financial aid administrator
can adjust your COA or EFC, if he/she finds that special/unusual
circumstances exist based on the documentation you provided.
However, the financial aid administrator does not have to
make such an adjustment, if he/she believes no change is
necessary. Please note that the financial aid administrator's
decision is final and cannot be appealed by the U.S. Department
of Education.
Some special/unusual circumstances may include:
• Medical expenses (because
of a serious or long term illness)
• A disabled member of the family
• Unemployment
• Separation or divorce
• A parent who is disabled,
retired, or deceased
• More than one child in college
at the same time, or a parent who is a full time student
• Debt (Not consumer debt)
