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MWSU | Financial Aid | Applying for Federal, State and Missouri Western Aid Opportunities |
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Step 1: Apply for Admission to Missouri Western Only those who have been officially admitted as degree-seeking students will be eligible to receive financial assistance at Missouri Western. If you need assistance with the admissions process, contact the Office of Admissions at 816-271-4266 / 800-662-7041 or access Missouri Western's “ONE STOP" application site. Please ensure that all required transcripts have been submitted to the Office of Admissions. You may check the status of your documentation requirements online through “ONE STOP.” It is important to note that no financial assistance may be disbursed until it has been officially determined that you are maintaining the academic standards outlined in Missouri Western's Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Once you receive your acceptance letter, be sure to establish your Missouri Western email and Goldlink accounts. As a general rule, we WILL NOT send financial aid notices by mail. You are responsible for monitoring your status online and for ALL communications sent to your Missouri Western email account. STEP 2: Apply for a PIN from the Department of Education The PIN (Personal Identification Number) allows students and parents to electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both you and your parent (if applicable) must request a PIN. You may request your PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov.STEP 3: Complete the FAFSA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) collects demographic, as well as, financial information from students and their families. Once complete, FAFSA applications are submitted to the Department of Education and the information reported is used to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). FAFSA applications are available after January 1st each year. Be sure to indicate that you want your results forwarded to Missouri Western State University, school code 002490. You may complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Need Help Completing the FAFSA? The priority deadline is March 1st for many Federal, as well as, Missouri Western assistance opportunities. FAFSA applications should be submitted no later than the first week of February to ensure the March 1st priority deadline is met for the following programs:
FAFSA applications will continue to be accepted after March 1st for the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Stafford Student Loans. The deadline for many state assistance opportunities, including the Access Missouri Program, is April 1st. FAFSA applications should be submitted no later than this date to be considered for these programs. Step 4: Review the Student Aid Report (SAR) for Accuracy You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail, or by email if you provide an email address on the FAFSA. A copy of the SAR will also be forwarded to the State and to Missouri Western State University. Be sure to review the information for accuracy and make any necessary corrections online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Step 5: Complete Verification (Only if Notified by Missouri Western) The U.S. Department of Education uses a quality-control method called Verification to check the accuracy of student financial aid application data. Most applicants are selected by the Department of Education for verification at random. However, some are selected due to missing or inconsistent information provided on the FAFSA. If you are selected for Verification, Missouri Western will notify you in writing via your Missouri Western email account of the documents necessary to complete the application process. Keep in mind that your application will not be processed or packaged until ALL requested documents are submitted to the Financial Aid Office. NO Federal or State financial aid will be awarded until Verification is complete, all discrepancies are resolved, and the necessary corrections are submitted to, and processed by, the Department of Education. To be considered in the initial awarding of Perkins Loans and SEOG, your FAFSA, including the verification process (if applicable), should be completed by March 1st each year. Step 6: Respond to the Award Notification Students will receive an award notification from Missouri Western around the second week of April or as aid is awarded. Award information will be sent to your Missouri Western email account or you may access your information online through Goldlink. Step 7: Apply for Missouri Western Aid Opportunities Missouri Western offers numerous opportunities to receive financial assistance. For more information regarding Missouri Western and other aid opportunities visit the Missouri Western Scholarship Site. New and returning students may apply for Missouri Western assistance opportunities beginning in October of each year. Unless otherwise specified in the scholarship description, students should have a complete Admissions and Financial Aid file no later than March 1st of each year to be considered. Step 8: Apply for Aid Opportunities Outside of Missouri Western Many opportunities for financial assistance exist through private sources. While you are encouraged to explore all opportunities available to you, Missouri Western cautions the use of outside agencies who charge a fee and guarantee financial assistance. Many scholarship and financial aid scams do exist. For more information concerning scholarship scams, go to www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml or visit the Federal Trade Commission website at www.ftc.gov. Step 9: Apply for Federal Stafford Loans (Optional) In addition to the general application procedures (Steps 1 - 5), you must complete the following steps when applying for Federal Stafford Loans.
Note: There is a mandatory 30-day delay after classes begin before loan funds will be disbursed to first-time freshman borrowers. Students should be prepared to cover expenses, such as books, until loan funds are released to the school. Step 10: Apply for Federal Plus Loans (Optional) In addition to the general application procedures (Steps 1 -5), eligible parents and graduate students must do the following when applying for a PLUS Loan.
If you have questions or need assistance in applying for aid, contact the Office of Financial Aid. |
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