2014-2015 guide to applying/reapplying for financial aid ...€¦ · 2014-2015 guide to...

2014-2015 Guide to Applying/Reapplying

for Financial Aid at USD for Graduate/Credential Students

USDOfficeofFinancialAid

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TableofContentsTheApplicationProcess....................................................................................................................................................4 

EligibilityforFinancialAid.............................................................................................................................................................4 

FormstobeCompletedbyCredentialandGraduateStudents...................................................................................4 

WheretogettheFAFSA..............................................................................................................................................................4 

ResponsesfromtheFederalProcessor................................................................................................................................5 

ApplicationDeadlines.......................................................................................................................................................................6 

AdditionalDeadlines.........................................................................................................................................................................7 

FinancialAidAwardNotifications...............................................................................................................................................7 

AdditionalCommunicationwiththeOfficeofFinancialAid................................................................................7 

BudgetandFeePaymentInformation.........................................................................................................................9 

FrequentlyAskedQuestions&AdditionalInformation......................................................................................10 

CompletionoftheFAFSAInformation.......................................................................................................................13 

StudentInformation........................................................................................................................................................................13 

StudentDependencyStatus..........................................................................................................................................................13 

StudentInformation(andParentInformationforCredentialStudents)..................................................................13 

CompletionoftheDataRetrievalProcess................................................................................................................15 

ChecklistfortheApplicationProcess.........................................................................................................................16 

NavigatingMyFinancialAid..........................................................................................................................................17 

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TheApplicationProcess

EligibilityforFinancialAid

YoumayapplywiththeFreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid(FAFSA)andbeconsideredforfinancialaidatUSDifyouare:

aUnitedStatescitizenoreligiblenon‐citizenwithavalidSocialSecurityNumber enrolledatleasthalf‐timeasaregularstudentinaneligibledegree,certificate,orcredential

program.NOTE:Certainfundsrequirefull‐timeenrollment.TheFederalPellGrantmaybeavailableforlessthanhalf‐timeenrollment.TheFederalPellGrantisavailableforTeachingCredentialStudentsonly.YoumayNOTbeconsideredforfederalfinancialaidifyou:

arecurrentlyindefaultonanyTitleIVloan owearefundtoanyinstitutionforanyTitleIVgrant areinanoverpaymentstatusonanyTitleIVaid areclassifiedasa“SpecialStudent”(notadmittedtoaneligibledegree/certificate/credential

program) areauditingclasses areenrollingforcontinuingeducationunitsonly areattendinglessthanhalftime

FormstobeCompletedbyCredentialandGraduateStudents

The2014‐2015FreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid(FAFSA)isrequiredtobeconsideredforany federal, state, or need‐based institutional funds, including the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan.ApplyviatheWebatwww.fafsa.govorviaapaperFAFSAifyouprefer.ForapaperFAFSA,pleasecall the Federal Student Aid programs at 1‐800‐4‐FEDAID or download one viahttp://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2014‐15‐fafsa.pdf

Contact your department or Dean’s Office for information regarding other forms of assistance

which may be available through the department (for example, Graduate Merit Scholarships,GraduateAssistantships,andanyDepartmentalAwards).

TeachingCredentialStudentswhoreceivedaCalGrantfortheirundergraduatedegreemaycontacttheCaliforniaStudentAidCommission (CSAC) to requestaFifthYearCalGrant. The listed formmustbefiledwithCSAChttp://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/G‐44.pdf

ALLapplicantsshouldmakesuretoretainacopyoftheform(s)theycompletefortheirrecords.

WheretogettheFAFSA

Youwillfindthedirectlinktothe2014‐2015FAFSAontheUSDOFAWebsiteat(www.sandiego.edu/financialaid)

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FAFSAisavailableatwww.fafsa.ed.gov.PaperFAFSAsareavailablebycallingtheFederalStudentAidProgramsat1‐800‐4‐FEDAIDorbydownloadingaPDFformfromhttp://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2014‐15‐fafsa.pdf

ApplyforyourPersonalIdentificationNumber(PIN)beforestartingtheFAFSAapplicationprocess.ToapplyforaPIN,pleaseaccesstheFederalStudentAid'sPINWebsiteatwww.pin.ed.gov

First‐timeapplicants:ThefastestwaytofiletheFAFSAisbycompletingtheFAFSAOnTheWeb(FOTW).You(and,forcredentialstudentswhodonotmeetotherIndependentcriteria,yourparents)willsignelectronicallywhencompletingtheFAFSAusingyourPersonalIdentificationNumber(s)(PINs)orbyprintingoutthesignaturepage,thatwillappearattheendoftheFOTW,andmailingittotheFederalProcessor.

AnFOTWWorksheetisavailableonlineattheFAFSAwebsitetohelpyoucompletetheFAFSA.Itis

highlyrecommendedthatyoucompletetheWorksheetinformationpriortostartingtheFAFSAentryprocess;however,DONOTmailtheWorksheettotheFederalProcessor;onlytheFOTWinformationenteredbyyouonlineandthepaperFAFSAareconsideredofficialFAFSAdocuments.

Continuingapplicants:FollowtheinstructionsthatwereemailedtoyoufromtheDepartmentof

Educationorlogontowww.fafsa.gov.Notethatyoumustselectthe“pre‐filled”optionforthe2014‐2015FAFSAtotransferyourbiographicalinformationfromthe2013‐2014FAFSA.Allincomeandassetinformationmustbeupdated.Youmustalsoenter010395asUSD’sschoolcode.

Pleaserefertopage6fordeadlineinformation.

ResponsesfromtheFederalProcessor

Whenyoucompletetheon‐lineFAFSAprocesscorrectly,asystemgeneratedresponsewillappearwhichindicatesthattheapplicationwassuccessfullysubmitted.

Withinafewdays,youwillreceiveanemailfromtheFederalProcessorthatindicateswheretolog

intoviewyourStudentAidReport(SAR).TheSARshowsasummaryofyourentriesontheFAFSA.Itisalsoreferredtoas“ProcessedInformation”.ContacttheFederalProcessorat1‐800‐4‐FEDAIDifyoudonotreceiveyourSARwithinthreeweeks.

AsaresultoftheFAFSAneedanalysis,an“index”(ExpectedFamilyContribution=EFC)islistedon

theSAR(toprightcorner).Thisisa“valid”SARindicatingthatacompleteapplicationwillbesenttoUSD/theuniversitiesyouselected.PleasechecktheSARinformationforanycorrectionsyoumaystillneedtomake(forexample,doyounowhaveacompletedtaxreturn?).

IfanEFCisNOTontheSAR,theSARisnot“valid”anditcannotbeusedtocalculateeligibilityforfinancialaid.Itisanincompleteapplication.FollowtheinstructionsontheSARtomakecorrectionssothatitcanbeprocessedasavalidapplicationandsenttoUSDforprocessingofyourFinancialAidAward(thismayaffectyourprioritystatus,sodonotdelayincorrectinginformation.MakecorrectionspriortoApril1,2014).AvalidSARmustbereceivedbyApril1,2014,tomeettheUSDpriorityfilingdeadline.

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ApplicationDeadlines

Tobeconsideredapriorityfinancialaidapplicant,youmustapplyusingtheFAFSAafterJanuary1,2014andbeforethefilingdeadlineslistedbelow:

USDPriorityDeadline:

CalGrantDeadline:

Studentenrollmentstatus:

FAFSAmusthavea

postmarkorsubmissiondateofnolaterthan:

FAFSAmusthaveapostmarkorsubmissiondateofnolaterthan:

Credentialstudents April1

March2*

NewandContinuingGraduateStudents

April1 NotEligible

*TeachingCredentialStudentsmayqualifyfor5thyearCalGrantifqualifiedasanundergraduate.StudentsmustcontactCAStudentAidCommission(CSAC)Spring2015Applicants:Thepriorityfilingdeadlineslistedaboveareforstudentsapplyingforfinancialaidfortheacademicyear2014‐2015,includingthosestudentswhoapplyforonesemesteronly(e.g.,Springsemester2015).LateApplicants:StudentswhodonotmeettheFAFSAapplicationpriorityfilingdeadlineORdonotprovideallsupportingdocumentationwithintheindicatedtimeframes,willbeconsideredforremainingfundsiffundsbecomeavailable.StudentswillneedtosubmitaletterofappealtotheDirectorofFinancialAid.VeryLateApplicants:AllfinancialaidformsmustbereceivedbytheOFAatleasttwomonthspriortotheendoftheterm(Springsemester2015forstudentsattendingfallandspring2014‐2015).Ifdocumentationnecessarytocompletethefinancialaidapplicationisreceivedafterthatdate,theresultcouldbenoeligibilityforanytypeoffinancialaidforthatacademicterm.

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AdditionalDeadlines

SubmissionofFinancialAidRequirements

IftheUSDOfficeofFinancialAid(OFA)requestsanyinformationfromyou,theformsand/orinformationmustbesubmittedtotheOFAwithinthree(3)weeksofthedatethedocumentshavebeenrequested.Prioritystatusmaybelostifrequestedinformationissubmittedafter3weeks,whichcouldmeanalossofcertainfunds.

Pleasenote:IfincompleteinformationorinformationthatgeneratesconflictwithyourFAFSAisreceived,therewillbeaneedforfollow‐up.Thethreeweekdeadlinestillappliestothispartoftheprocess.

FinancialAidAwardNotifications

USDwillbeginsendingemailnotificationstofinancialaidrecipientsdetailinghowtoviewtheirFinancialAidAwardontheMySanDiegoPortalaroundthemiddleofMarchofeachyear.FordetailedinformationonhowtonavigateyourMySanDiegoPortal,pleaseseepage17.

USDdoesnotprepareFinancialAidAwardsforstudentswhohavenotbeenadmitted.

NewGraduate/CredentialStudents:Studentswillreceiveanemailnotifyingthemhowtoaccess

theirFinancialAidAwardsonlineontheirMySanDiegoPortal.ThisemailwillbesentaftertheFAFSAisreceivedandbetween5‐7businessdaysaftertheofficialdateofadmission.Theemailswillbesentindateorderafterstudentsareadmittedandasfilesarecompleted.

ContinuingGraduate/Credentialstudents:ContinuingstudentswhoarepriorityapplicantswillreceivetheiremailnotificationsindateorderasFAFSAreviewsarecompleted.NoAwardwillbeproducedforastudentwhoseFAFSAhasbeenselectedforverificationuntilalltheverificationmaterialhasbeenreceivedandreviewed.

AdditionalCommunicationwiththeOfficeofFinancialAid

YouwillreceiveanemailnotificationwithinstructionsforaccessingyourFinancialAidAwardontheMySanDiegoPortal.(Pleaserefertopage17ofthisGuideforinformationregardinghowtonavigatetheportal.)Listedbelowarethestepsyouneedtocompleteonyourportal.

YourFinancialAidAwardChannel Accept/decline each fund offered within three weeks, EVEN IF you are appealing the Award. By

accepting the aid that is offered, you indicate that you have read and understand all terms andconditionsoftheAward,includingtherequirementstorenewscholarshipsandgrants.

FinancialAidRequirementsChannel Complete required forms. Several formsmaybe listed; for example: FederalPerkins contracts, and

Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS Loan Information and/or Request forms. Links on the

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RequirementsTabwilltakeyoutotheformsthatyoumustprint,complete,andreturntoUSDinordertokeeptheassistance.AllformsmustbereturnedwithinthreeweeksofthedateoftheAwardortherequestforadditionalinformation.ForUSDtobeginthecertificationprocessforcertainloans,allthestepsonstudentloans.govmustbecompleted.Notethat inorderfor loanfundstobeavailableatthestartofthefallsemester,loansmustbeacceptedontheportalbyJuly7,2014.

AdditionalForms Youmayreceiveemailnotificationsthatspecificfollow‐upformsaresenttoyouviaUSPostalServices.

AtthesametimethismightappearontheRequirementstab.Aslongastherequirementsshowaredora yellow flag on your portal, your Award is only an EstimatedAward. It is important to keep yourmailingaddresscurrentwiththeUniversityinordertoreceiveandcompletetheformsontime.

ForcontinuingUSDfinancialaidapplicants,allrequiredformsmustbereceivedandreviewedbeforethefirstAwardisproduced.

PleasemonitoryourMySanDiegoPortalfrequentlyforanynewrequirements,“RedFlags”.NotethatadelayinreceivinganAwardNotificationcouldbecausedby TheSocialSecuritynumberandnameusedontheFAFSAdonotmatchtheinformationsubmittedto

theOfficeofAdmissions,theUSDRegistrarandtheSocialSecurityAdministration.

YourStudentAidReport(SAR)didnothaveanEFClisted(upperrighthandcornerofthefirstpage)andgenerateda “RejectSAR”. ARejectSARmustbeclearedbyyouat theFederalProcessorby theprioritydeadlinetokeepyourprioritystatus.

Anincorrectschoolcode.USD’sschoolcodeis010395.NotificationthatyourFinancialAidAwardisavailabletoviewthroughtheportalwillbesentto Prospectivestudents:TheemailaddressyouhaveonfilewiththeUniversity ContinuingStudents:YourUSDemailaddressnotifyingyoutologintoMySanDiego.eduPleasenotethatitisyourresponsibilitytocheckyouremailfromUSDOFA.Youmightneedtocheckyourspam‐filterandre‐setittoletUSDemailspassthrough.RemembertocheckyourfinancialaidstatusonyourMySanDiegoPortalfrequently;payattentiontotheflags.Youdonothavetowaitforemailreminders.AlsoNote:Enrolledstudentswhowishtograntothersaccesstotheirfinancialaidinformation(i.e.,parents,siblings,spouse,others)mustprovideauthorizationtotheRegistrar’sOffice.StudentsmaygranttheUniversitypermissiontoreleaseinformationabouttheirrecordsbycompletingtheFamilyFederalRightsandPrivacyAct(FERPA)Authorizationonline.StudentsmaylogintotheportalandclickontheFERPApage,undertheToreroHubtab.Note:PleasecompletetheProfileandAuthorizationtabsforeachauthorizeduser.MoreinformationaboutthisprocessmayalsobefoundontheRegistrar’spage.Clickherefordetailedinstructions.Ifyouwishtograntothersaccesstoyourfinancialaidinformation(i.e.,parents,siblings,spouse,others),youmustprovideauthorizationtotheRegistrar’sOffice.

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BudgetandFeePaymentInformationYourCostofAttendanceislistedaspartofyourAwardNotification.CurrentbudgetinformationislistedonthewebsiteforUSDOfficeofStudentAccounts:http://www.sandiego.edu/finance/student_financial_services/student_accounts/cost/graduate.phpAllbillingstatementsfor2014‐2015willbeavailableonline.AnemailfromStudentFinancialServiceswillbe sent to your USD email account, notifying you when a new bill is available. You may make onlinepayments from your USD portal account. Paymentsmay also bemade in person at the USD One StopStudentCenter.PleasemakesuretomeetpostedpaymentdeadlinesinAugust2014andJanuary2015.StudentsinitialFinancialAidAwardwillbebasedon:

Credentialstudents: 12unitspersemesterMaster’sDegreestudents: 9unitspersemesterDoctoralstudents: 6unitspersemester

NOTE:Ifacredentialorgraduatestudentwillbeenrolledforadifferentnumberofunits,s/hemustnotifythe Office of Financial Aid in writing prior to August 1, 2014 to be considered formaximum granteligibilityinaccordancewithUSDpolicy.Unitrequirementforfull‐timeandparttimeenrollment:Credentialstudents GraduateStudents DoctoralStudents 12+units=fulltime 9+units=fulltime 6+units=fulltime9‐11.5units=¾time 7‐8.5units=¾time 4‐5units=¾time6‐8.5units=½time 4.5‐6units=½time 3units=½time1‐5.5units=lessthanhalftime 1‐4units=lessthanhalftime 1‐2units=lessthanhalftimeIfyouwillbeenrolledlessthanfulltime,pleasecompletethe2014‐2015ChangeofStatusformwiththenumberofunitsyouwillbeenrolledineachsemester.Youmayaccesstheformat:https://mysdsvcs.sandiego.edu/eforms/fa_COS_1415

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FrequentlyAskedQuestions&AdditionalInformation1Q:IknowthatincomeinformationisrequiredontheFAFSA,butwhatifmytaxreturnisnotyetcompletefor2013?

1A:YoushouldcompletetheFAFSAbythepriorityapplicationdeadlinebasedonanestimate. YoucanupdateyourFAFSAafterthefederalincometaxreturnhasbeenfiled.

EmployersarerequiredtosendyouW‐2sbyJanuary31,2014;usethatinformation.

Your gross reportable income fromW‐2s isusuallyprintedonyour last2013pay stub; use thatinformation.

Useestimatedfigurestothebestofyourabilityifyou(and/oryourspouse)areself‐employed.

THE DEADLINES LISTED ON PAGE 6WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE A PRIORITYFINANCIALAIDAPPLICANT.TobeconsideredforUSDneed‐basedgraduategrantandforcertainfederalfunds,youmustbeapriorityapplicant.

Students are urged to file their federal income tax forms electronically by the IRS Aprildeadline to be able to receive their Financial Aid Award before the fall semester starts.Filinganextensionholdsbacktheprocessing.

2Q:DoesUSDwantacopyoftaxreturns?

2A:No.YoumayusethefeatureontheFAFSAontheWebthatisreferredtoasIRSDataRetrieval(DRT).Allstudents(andparents)areadvisedtousetheIRSDRT.IftheIRSDRTisnotused,taxinformationmustbe provided on an IRSTaxReturnTranscript (TRT). TaxTranscripts (a list of tax information) andTaxReturns(1040s)maynotbeusedtocompleteverification. TaxReturnsmustbeprocessedbytheIRStoallow forasuccessfulDataRetrieval. Pleaseallow for2‐3weeksafteranelectronic taxreturnhasbeenfiledfortheDRTtobeavailable.Ifapaper1040wasfiled,pleaseallowatleast6weeksforyourtaxreturntobeprocessed.3Q:WhatdoesVerificationmean?

3A: A certain number of applications are randomly selected by the Federal Processor for “verification”eachyear.USDmustfollowupforrequiredverificationitems,including,butnotlimitedto:verificationoffamily size, completed tax information, and other family information. If you do not elect the IRS DataRetrievaloptionontheFAFSAontheWeb,copiesofyourFederalTaxReturnTranscriptwillberequested.Ifyouaremarried,USDwillalsoneedacopyofyourspouse’s IRSTaxReturnTranscript. Pleasedonotsubmitany informationtoUSDif ithasnotbeenrequesteddirectlybyUSD. All formssubmittedtoUSDmust be completed and signed by all required persons. Do not submit copies of State Income TaxReturns.4Q:WillUSDneedadditionalinformation?

4A:AdditionalinformationmightberequestedfromyoubytheUSDOFAinseveralstepsasfollows:

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1. An initial request after the FAFSA information has been received by USD from the FederalProcessor

2. Follow‐uprequest(s)aftertheapplicationisreviewedbythestaffoftheUSDOfficeofFinancialAidifitisdeterminedthatthereisincompleteorconflictinginformationreceived.Forexample,aformfor itemization of income and expenses might have to be completed by students with unusualamountslistedontheirfederaltaxdata.

3. NotethattheOFAisrequiredbylawtorequestclarificationanytimedocumentationisincompleteorgenerates conflictwithother information. If a student calls theUSDOneStopStudentCenter(OSSC) to check the status of his/her application, the student will be informed about theinformationthatisCURRENTLYoutstandingbasedonthemostrecentreview.Itisnotpossibletoindicate ifadditionaldocumentationmaybeneededatsomepoint in the future. It isastudent’sresponsibilitytocheckfortheRedFlags.

PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON EACH FORM CAREFULLY TO PREVENT THE NEED FORADDITIONALFOLLOW‐UP.5Q:WhatifIneedtocorrectsomethingontheFAFSA?

5A:YoushouldenterthecorrectinformationonyourFAFSAontheWebassoonaspossible.

If no Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is listed on the response from the processed FAFSA(Student Aid Report ‐ SAR) follow the instructions on the SAR and correct missing/erroneousinformationandresenditimmediatelytotheFederalProcessor.

IfanEFCislistedontheSARandyouneedtomakeacorrectionwhentaxreturnsarecompleted,

usetheDataRetrievalfeaturetocompletethetaxinformation.

RememberthatassetsmustbereportedasofthedayyoucompletetheinitialFAFSA;assetscannotbeupdatedforlaterchanges.Ifyoumadeanerrorinreportingassets,writealettertotheUSDOFAdetailingtheerrorandthecorrectionwithanyrelevantdocumentation.

6Q:WhatifmysituationchangesafterIapply,orafterIhavereceivedmyaward?

6A:Complete the Special Circumstances Appeal Form, available on the Forms section on the Office ofFinancialAidWebsitehttp://www.sandiego.edu/documents/financialaid/SCFS.pdf7Q:WhathappensifIchangemyunitsorresidency?

7A:Yourfinancialaidawardmightnotposttoyourbill.(Note:thenumberofunitsinyourinitialawardislistedonpage9ofthisGuide)Yourfinancialaidmightbeadjustedbecause:

FinancialaidwillnotcredittoyouraccountatStudentAccountsunlesstheunitsandresidencyarethesameastheunitsyouhaveenrolledinthroughtheRegistrar’sOffice,andthehousingstatusisthesameasattheUSDHousingOffice.

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ChangesinfinancialaidmayoccurbecausecertaintypesofaidcanonlybeappliedtowardtuitionortowardUniversitycharges.

RefertotheinformationontheUSDWebsiteregardingStatusChangesathttp://www.sandiego.edu/financialaid/forms.

8Q:WhatifIdidnotfilemyFAFSAbeforethefeepaymentdeadlineinAugustanddonothavemyFinancialAidAwardbythefeepaymentdeadline?

8A:YouhavetoarrangeforotherwaystopayforyourUniversitycharges;forexample,selectapaymentplan. Payment arrangementsmay bemade on line through yourMySanDiego Portal, One StopTab,MyStudentAccountChannel.

IfnoFAFSAisonfile,oryouonlyhaveaStudentAidReport(SAR)withinvalidcalculation,theOFAcannotprocessanAwardforyou.

YouwillhavetomakearrangementsseparatelywiththeOneStopStudentCenterforpaymentof

yourUniversityAccount.

9Q:Whyhasn’tmyfinancialaidcreditedtomystudentaccount?

9A:Listofreasonsforastudent’sfinancialaidnottoposttothestudent’saccount:

1. TheFinancialAidAwardwasnotaccepted(eachfundhastobeaccepted).

2. TheunitsattheOFA,Registrar’sOfficeandStudentAccountsdonotmatch.

3. The status of your residency differs between the Office of Financial Aid, Student Housing andStudentAccountsOffice.

4. Youhavenot completed all theFinancialAidRequirements assigned toyouon theFinancialAidRequirementsChannelontheMySanDiegoPortal.

5. Youhavenotcompletedthepromissorynote(s)and/orEntranceLoanCounselingforyourloan(s).

10Q: DoesmyGradePointAverageorthelengthofmyprogramhaveanimpactonmyFinancialAidFunding?

10A:Yes.IfyoudonotmeetUSD’sSatisfactoryAcademicProgress(SAP)requirements,theOFAwillnotifyyouandyoumayappealinordertocontinuetoreceivefinancialaid.YoumustsubmittheSAPAppealform,theSAPAcademicPlanform,andanappeallettertotheOFA.11Q:MayIAppealforotherreasonsthanGPA?

11A:Yes.Youmaysubmitawritten,signedletterincludingstudentIDnumber(ingeneral,emailscannotbe accepted as appeals). If the letter indicates change in income, a follow‐up formwill be sent to yourequestingyourcurrentexpenseandincomeinformation.

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Filed a FAFSA late? If you, based on extenuating circumstances, submit the FAFSA with USD’sschoolcodeafterthepriorityfilingdeadlineyoumayappealtotheDirectoroftheOFA.YoushoulddothisassoonasyoufileyourFAFSA.Ifyourappealisapproved,youwillbeconsideredforfundsthatareavailableatthetimeoftheappeal.

Not enough funding? Youmay appeal following the instructions on theAdditionalExpensesForm.http://www.sandiego.edu/documents/financialaid/Form‐M_1415.pdf

12Q:WhatifIreceiveanOutside/PrivateScholarship?

12A:PleasesendallinformationaboutOutsideScholarships,includingScholarshipChecks,totheOfficeofFinancialAid.TheamountofScholarshipyoureceivewillbecoordinatedwithyourotherfinancialaid,andmaynotexceedyourFederalNeedoryourCostofEducation.13Q:MayIuseVeteran’sBenefitstoattendUSD?

13A:Yes.YoucanuseVeteran’sBenefits,includingtheYellowRibbonScholarshipandPost911BenefitsatUSD.Toactivateyourbenefits,pleasecontacttheVASchoolCertifyingattheUSDRegistrar’sOfficeforinformationandguidanceatregistrar@sandiego.edu

CompletionoftheFAFSAInformationRefer to the 2014‐2015 FAFSA on theWeb (FOTW)Worksheet. You are not required to complete theworksheetbeforeenteringtheinformationontheFAFSAontheWeb.Itis,however,highlyrecommendedthatyoudosotoassistyourselfduringtheprocess.Usethesectionsatthebottomofeachpage(Notes)toremindyourselfofquestionsyouneedtoresearchorlookupbeforeyoustartenteringtheinformation.Theinstructionsastohowtocompleteeachsectionare listedontheFOTW. Belowarea fewadditionalhelpfulhints.PleasenotethattheformatonlinewilllookdifferentwhenyouopentheFOTW.

StudentInformation

RemembertoenteryournameandSocialSecurityNumberexactlyaslistedontheSocialSecurityCard.

StudentDependencyStatus

Notethatifyoupreviouslyhave(underthedegree‐certificateselection)checkedoff“TeachingCredential(non‐degree program)”, you are considered undergraduate for the purpose of FAFSA questions, whichmeansthatyoumighthavetocompletetheFAFSAwithparentalinformation.

StudentInformation(andParentInformationforCredentialStudents)

A. For Dependent Credential students, read the instructions carefully to determine whoseinformation touse.Note that thequestion, “Asof today,what is themarital statusofyour legal

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parents?”determineswhose informationyouwill be listing in the incomeandasset section forParent1andParent2.ContacttheUSDOfficeofFinancialAidifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthis.

B. Thenumberof familymembersinyourhouseholdisnotlistedasareminderboxontheFOTW

Worksheet.ThequestionwillappearwhenyoumakeentriesontheWeb.Youmightwanttoputanoteaboutthatinthe“Notes”box.

C. Credential students: Enter parents’ last names and Social Security Numbers exactly as they

appearonparents’SocialSecurityCards.IfparentshavenoSocialSecurityNumber,enterzeros.

D. Ifyou(orspouse)indicateDislocatedWorkerstatus,documentationmightberequestedbyUSD.

E. If you and/or your parent(s) filed a federal tax return, the FOTWwill offer theDataRetrievaloptiondirectlyfromtheIRS.SelectthatoptiontocompletetheincomequestionsonFOTW.

F. If you select the IRS Data Retrieval option, please note that the option becomes available late

JanuaryorearlyFebruary,2014.

G. Inthesectionforbenefitsthatmighthavebeenreceivedbyyouand/oryourfamily,pleasenotethat the FAFSA asks for Supplemental Security Income; please don’t check the box if you arereceiving Social Security Income. Documentation of the specific benefits received may berequestedbytheOFA.

H. ThelistingofAdditionalFinancialInformationandUntaxedIncomewillappearonthesamepage

forentryontheWeb.Onceyouclick,forexample,“AmericanOpportunityandLifetimeLearningtaxcredit”,aboxwillappearwhereyouneedtolisttheamount.Makesuretolookuptheamountaheadoftimeandindicateitunder“Notes.”

I. Ifassetsarerequired,allassetsmustbelisted“asoftoday”whentheinitialFAFSAissigned.Do

not list home value or tax sheltered savings in retirement accounts. All other assetsmust belisted(forexample,savings,CDs,trustfunds,rentalrealestate,partnerships,S‐Corps).

RemindernoteforentryontheWeb:USD’sFederalSchoolCodeis010395Don’tforgetto(e‐)signanddatetheFAFSA.IfaCredentialStudentprovidedparentalinformation,atleastoneoftheparentsmustalsosignanddatetheform.DonotmailorsubmittheFAFSAuntilafterJanuary1,2014.IfyoucompleteapaperFAFSA,getaCertificateofMailing fromthePostOffice tokeepwithyourcopyof theFAFSAtodocumentwhenyoumailedtheform.

REMEMBERTOPRINTACOPYOFTHECOMPLETEDFAFSAFORYOUROWNRECORDS.

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CompletionoftheDataRetrievalProcessYoumayalsowanttorefertothetutorialatwww.sandiego.edu/financialaid

HowdoIusetheIRSDataRetrievalTool(DRT)?Pleasenotethat,duetotheclose‐downoftheFederalGovernmentduringfall2013,thestartupoftheDRTProcessfor2014/15isscheduledbyIRStostartlateJanuaryorearlyFebruary.

TousetheDRT,logontotheFAFSAwebsiteandproceedtotheparentand/orstudentfinancialsectionwheretherewillbeaboxlabeledIRSDataRetrievalTool.

ProvidetherequestedinformationandyouwillbedirectedtotheIRS’swebsite,whereyouwillauthorizetheIRStosubmityourtaxinformationtoFAFSA.

YouwillthenbedirectedbacktotheFAFSAwebsite,whereyoucansignandresubmityourFAFSAwithUSD’sschoolcode(010395).

IftheFAFSAisnotsignedandresubmittedaftertheDRTisused,thetaxinformationwillnottransfertoUSD.

HowcanIorderaTaxReturnTranscriptifIdonotwanttousetheDataRetrievalTooloramineligibletouseit?

IfyouneedtoorderaTaxReturnTranscript(TRT)fromtheIRSbecauseyouareunabletousetheDRT,youcanorderoneonlinebyvisitinghttp://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order‐a‐TranscriptorcallingtheIRSat1‐800‐908‐9946.

YoumightalsobeabletoobtainaTaxReturnTranscriptatyourlocalIRSOffice.

IusedtheIRSDataRetrievalTool,butmyFinancialAidPortalstillshowsitoutstanding,whyisthat?

MakesurethatyouelectronicallysignedandresubmittedtheFAFSAafteryouusedtheDRT,otherwisethetaxinformationwillnottransfertoUSD.

ItcantakeuptoaweekfortheupdatedFAFSAtobereceivedbyUSD.Continuetomonitoryourportalfortheupdate.

IfyouareunabletousetheDRT,pleaseorderaTaxReturnTranscriptonlinebyvisitinghttp://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order‐a‐TranscriptorcallingtheIRSat1‐800‐908‐9946.

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ChecklistfortheApplicationProcessStudent’sResponsibility Applywithalloftheapplicationformsbythepriorityfilingdeadline.USD’sFederalSchool

Codeis010395.

MakesurethataStudentAidReport(SAR)isreceivedwithinafewweeksfromtheFederalProcessor.IfnoresponsecontacttheProcessorat1‐8004‐FEDAID.

SubmittherequiredFinancialAidRequirementstoUSDwithinthespecifieddeadline.

AccepteachAward

FollowthestatusonyourMySanDiegoFinancialAidPortalfrequentlyandreturnrequestedformsandinformationwithinrequireddeadlines.

CompleteallAwardForms.

CompleteEntranceLoanCounseling(ELC),ifneeded.

CompletePromissoryNotes,ifneeded.

CompleteaChangeofStatusForm,ifneeded.

ArrangeforDirectDeposit,ifdesired.

ContacttheUSDOneStopStudentCenterifyouhaveanyquestionsafteryouhavereceivedyour1stbillinJuly,2014.

RemembertoupdatetheFAFSAontheWebifyouinitiallyfiledtheFAFSAbasedonEstimatedIncomeTaxInformation.

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NavigatingMyFinancialAid

AfteryouhaveloggedintotheMySanDiegoportal,clickontheToreroHubtab.Onceyouhaveclickedonthetab,selecttheMyFinancialAidpage.Thescreenbelowshouldappear.

Pleasebesureyouarelookingatinformationfortheappropriateacademicyear.

ThisisthemainMyFinancialAidscreen.Therearethreemainchannelsofinformation.ThefirstistheFinancialAidStatuschannel,whichcontains linksto important informationaboutyourfinancialaid.BelowtheFinancialAidStatuschannelistheFinancialAidRequirementschannel.TheFinancialAidRequirementschannellistsanyoutstandingdocuments/applicationsthatmaybenecessarytocompletetheprocessingof your financial aid application.Below theFinancialAidRequirements channel is theFinancialAidAward channel. The Financial Aid Award channel displays your Financial Aid Awardpackagefortheacademicyearyouselected.ThefollowinginformationwillhelpguideyouthroughtheMyFinancialAidportionoftheportal.

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FinancialAidStatusChannel

TheFinancialAidStatuschannelcontainslinkstoimportantinformationaboutyourfinancialaid.Eachofthelinksisbrieflyexplainedbelow.

Thecostofattendancewillgiveyouabreakdownofthecostsfromtuition,books,fees,etc.basedonyour

reportednumberofunitsandresidency. TheawardwillallowyoutoviewyourFinancialAidAwardandhowmuchaidyouwillbereceivingeach

term. ThemessageswillallowyoutoviewanymessagestheOfficeofFinancialAidhassentyouregardingyour

award,includingimportantalerts.

*Pleaseseethefollowingpagestovieweachscreeninmoredetail.*

IMPORTANT:CheckthestatusofyourFinancialAidchannelfrequently.Itisimportanttomakesureyourfinancialaidisup‐to‐dateandallformsandapplicationsareturnedinontime.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,contacttheOneStopStudentCenter.

CostofAttendanceByclickingthecostofattendancelinkfromtheFinancialAidStatuschannel,youcanviewthescreenbelow.Thisscreenincludesanestimatedcostofattendancebasedonyourreportednumberofunitsandresidency.Ifyoubelievethereisadiscrepancy,pleasecontacttheOneStopStudentCenter.

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FinancialAidRequirementsStatusKey

RedFlag:OutstandingRequirementThismeansthatsomethingismissingfromtheinformationrequestedortheOfficeofFinancialAidhasnotreceivedtherequirement.

YellowTriangle:ReceivedNotYetReviewed/PendingThismeansthattheOfficeofFinancialAidhasreceivedyourdocumentandisprocessingit.GreenCheck:SatisfiedThismeansthatyourrequirementhasbeenreviewedandprocessed.Thereisnofurtheractionrequired.

FinancialAidRequirementsChannel

TheFinancialAidRequirementschannelliststhestatusofeachoftherequirementsforyourfinancialaid.Thisincludesverificationdocumentsand/orloanapplications,aswellasinformationregardingscholarships.

Thestatuswillbeindicatedbyaredflag,yellowtriangle,orgreencheck.Pleaseseethekeybelowforfurtherinformation.

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FinancialAidAwardChannelBy clicking the award link from the Financial Aid Status channel or clicking into the Financial Aid Awardchannel, youwill be sent to themain award screen (see example below). From this screen, you are able toaccessyourAwardOverviewandAcceptAwardOffer,whichiswhereyouacceptordeclineeachaward.Eachcorrespondingtabhasbeencircledbelow.

FinancialAidAwardOverview

TheAwardOverviewtaballowsyoutoviewyourFinancialAidAward.TheFinancialAidAwardisyourAwardPackage offered by the Office of Financial Aid. This screen, as seen below, includes your financial aid needcalculation,thehousingstatusyoulistedontheFAFSA,CostofAttendanceandyourFinancialAidAward.Eachawardislistedbysemesterandshowsthecurrentstatus.Toacceptordeclineyouraward,youwillneedtogototheAcceptAwardOffertab.

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FinancialAidMessages

ByclickingthemessageslinkfromtheFinancialAidStatuschannel,youwillbedirectedtotheMessagesscreen,asseenbelow.Itisveryimportantthatyoucheckyourfinancialaidmessagesfrequently.FinancialAidCounselorsusethisscreentocommunicateimportantandurgentinformationtostudentsregardingtheirfinancialaid.

AcceptAwardOffer

TheAcceptAwardOffer screen, as seen below, allows you to accept or decline each award you have beenoffered.Foranyawardsthathavenotbeenpreviouslyacceptedordeclined,therewillbeapulldownmenuontherightsideoftheawardallowingyoutoselecttheappropriateaction.Toreinstateapreviouslydeclinedawardorloan,pleasecontacttheOneStopStudentCenter.