How To Use Your Financial Aid Office To Your Advantage?

Where To Start

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st of the year. It is important to fill this form out as soon as possible so you will meet financial aid priority deadlines.

For students who’s FAFSAs are received by the priority deadline, will receive first consideration for some federal and state financial programs that have limited funds by the financial aid office.

You should meet with a financial aid advisor at your school in order to gain a better understanding of the types of aid you are eligible to receive. Make sure who you are talking with is truly the financial aid counselor and not a student helping out. It is also good to write down their name, the date and time in front of them. This will get their attention.

Be sure to come prepared to the financial aid’s office. Have a list of questions to go over during your meeting, if you need any clarification. Make sure your questions are precise and write down the answers.

Ask your financial aid about the outside scholarship policy that states what happens to your need-based financial aid package if you win an outside scholarship. Outside scholarships are any scholarships that are not awarded by the government or the school. Most financial aids will work with you to help reduce the impact of the outside policy if you are up front with them.

Next Steps In the Process

Usually financial aids will host financial aid workshops on campus or in the community in order to give an overview of the financial aid process. Find out the schedules, be sure to attend and ask specific questions that are important to you.

Inquire about the school’s Federal Work-Study jobs. The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for students with financial need. Eligible students who indicate that they are interested in work-study on their FAFSAs will see the work-study award listed on their financial aid award letter. If it is not listed as an award on your letter, then go directly to your financial aid’s office and inquire about it.

Understand the professional judgment policy. Professional judgment is the ability of a financial aid counselor to change a student’s financial aid based on unusual circumstances. Professional judgment policies may differ from school to school. If your financial situation has changed since you filed out the FAFSA, you need to meet with your advisor for assistance.

Remember to visit your school’s web site and check out the Financial Aid Office web pages. There you will find many resources to help you through the financial aid process, frequently asked questions, downloadable aid forms, policies and procedures, etc.

And last, never, never give up getting all that you can from your Financial Aid Advisor.

Your Financial Aid Office is there to provide you with financial assistance and advisory services, so you can pursue higher education. One of the problems with financial aid is that the rules change every semester.

It is difficult for advisor’s to keep up with all of the changes and all of the students’ needs. That’s why you must remember that you are responsible for you. If you need to return 15 times to the financial aid’s office to obtain everything you need, then that is exactly what you should do.

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