Applying for Aid

FAFSA image with Alma College's school code.

Incoming Freshmen 2020-2021

FSA ID - Create!
- Student Needs a FSA ID
- Parent 1 Needs a FSA ID
- Parent 2 Needs a FSA ID (optional)
- *The FSA ID is SPECIFIC to each person, so make sure the email attached to the FSA ID belong directly to that person.
Gather Information!
- You will need to have a few items collected prior to starting the FAFSA. View that list here!

Returning Students 2020-2021

FSA ID - Do you remember?
- Go to fsaid.ed.gov if you forgot your FSA ID. This goes for your parents as well.
- Make sure you have your FSA ID, and your Parents FSA ID.
Gather Information!
- You will need to have a few items collected prior to starting the FAFSA. View that list here!

Important Dates:

Students can begin completing the FAFSA: October 1
Priority deadline for Michigan students: March 1
- If you file later than March 1st, you will not be eligible for a state award.

Common errors made when completing the FAFSA:

Name and Social Security Number
Enter your name and Social Security Number exactly as they appear on your Social Security Card.
Degree or certificate
Unless you will be a graduate student, a professional student, or working towards a second bachelor’s degree when you enter Alma, indicate 1 (1^st bachelor’s degree).
First bachelor’s degree before July 1, of your incoming year?
If you will not have a four-year college degree when you enter Alma, indicate No.
Legal Guardian
The definition of legal guardianship does not include your parents, even if they were appointed by a court to be your guardians. You are also not considered a legal guardian of yourself. By answering “Yes” it means you can provide a copy of the court’s decision giving you this legal status.
Read, and sign with your FSA ID
Make sure FAFSA is signed with student FSA ID. If parent information is required on your FAFSA, a parent FSA ID is also required.

READY, SET, FILE!

In some cases you may need to go through a verification process, in which you send us a tax return transcript, W-2 forms and other required documents.
If additional information is needed, our office will start notifying students in November/December.
Visit our Verification page for more details on completing the process.

Incoming Freshmen for 2020 - 2021:

Returning Students for 2020 - 2021:

Final grades for the current year are needed before eligibility for financial aid can be determined. (April 21, 2020 is when instructors must have grades entered for winter term).
Financial aid offer letters will be issued during the normal time frame of May - June.
Offer letters will be available on the student portal after receiving the email notification.

Review the Financial Aid Offer Letter:

When your financial aid offer letter arrives, you will see all your scholarships and awards listed, along with any additional need-based aid for which you qualify.

Complete all requirements to receive the aid that is being offered:

Finish verification if you have not already done so.
- Aid is estimated until all requirements have been completed.
Complete loan requirements.
- Instructions will be given with the award letter notice.

Report any outside scholarships you have received:

Turn in scholarship checks that are made out to both the student and the college.
Report scholarships that are made out to the student only.
- May also endorse them to the college and turn them in to have them applied directly to the student account.

Make plans to pay:

Determine if you will need to to borrow a Parent PLUS Loan or Alternative Loan to cover the out of pocket cost after aid is applied. Also view payment options through the Financial Services office.

Review the billing statement:

Billing statements are available on the student portal after receiving the email notification.
Fall billing statements are issued at the end of July with payment due at the end of August.
Winter billing statements are issued at the end of November with payment due in January.