Applying for Aid
Prepare
File
Verification
Follow-up
To be considered for any need-based aid from the federal government, state government or Alma College, you must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
PREPARE (October - February)
1. Create and FSA ID
- The student and parent(s) must each have their own. These will serve as your log on information and your electronic signature. Create your FSA ID online at http://fsaid.ed.gov.
2. To complete the FAFSA, gather the following information for student and parent(s).
- Use this helpful list of information to gather.
FILE (October 1 - March 1)
Alma College’s School Code is 002236
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:
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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 (1st 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.
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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!
- Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov.
- FAFSA Help Desk: 1-800-433-3243
VERIFICATION (February - March)
- 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 February/March.
- Visit our Verification page for more details on completing the process.
AWARD LETTER TIMELINE
Incoming Freshmen for 2018 - 2019:
- Financial aid award letters will be issued starting in early December.
- If you would like an earlier estimate, please use our Net Price Calculator.
Returning Students for 2018 - 2019:
- Final grades for the current year are needed before eligibility for financial aid can be determined.
- Financial aid letters will be issued during the normal time frame of May - June.
- Award letters will be available on the student portal after receiving the email notification.
FOLLOW-UP (May - July)
Review the Financial Aid Letter:
- When your financial aid 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 use a Parent PLUS loan, alternative loan, or payment plans to pay out of pocket costs.
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.
