1.Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov Receive your estimated financial aid award within 2 weeks. Awards will be issued beginning early May.
2.Complete your admissions application.
Once processed, this will give you access to WebROCK to move forward with your financial aid.
www.granite.edu/students/prospect/get started/admissions.php
3.Check WebROCK often for any
additional requirements.
Requirements will vary from student to student and may include submitting an extra document or two , or you might find that you’ve been chosen for Verification. Your award may change as a result of the Verification process, so check WebROCK for updates and respond to any changes. All additional documents must be submitted before any financial aid can be finalized.
4.Complete Federal Student Loan
Requirements, if applicable.
For all new GSC Federal Student Loan Borrowers, complete the following two steps in order to begin classes:
a) Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling: Learn your rights and responsibilities associated with borrowing Federal Direct Loan funds.
b) Master Promissory Note (MPN) with Direct Lending: a legal document you sign which explains the terms and conditions of your loan, as well as your repayment responsibilities.
5.Accept your award package in
WebROCK!
Once your award is accepted check the missing requirements section for any additional requirements. If it lists additional requirements in WebROCK that you have already addressed, it is likely they will be satisfied within 24-48 hours. Check WebROCK for updates. Verification
Federal regulations require verification to be completed for some applicants and they may be selected by the U.S. Department of Education CPS or by the College. The purpose of verification is to maintain the integrity of student aid programs by verifying the information provided by students and Undergraduate Financial Aid
55 parents on financial aid applications. If
selected for verification, students are required to submit:
• Copies of all signed federal tax transcripts or Non-Tax Filer Statement(s). Eligible students may utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool available via the FAFSA to satisfy the tax transcript requirement. • Completed Dependent or Independent
Verification Form
• Other documentation as requested upon review.
Requirements for verification must be completed before aid is finalized.
Application Processing Timeline Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Student aid is packaged when all requirements are satisfied. Financial aid application processing may take up to fourteen days once the FAFSA results are received. Apply as early as possible to avoid delays. Verification documents must be completed prior to the last day of enrollment that is at least half-time, unless a student is Pell eligible (no later than 120 days after the last day of at least half-time status). Students must reapply for financial aid each academic year. Financial Need
Federal, state, and most institutional aid programs are awarded based on financial need except for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Direct Parent PLUS Loan which are categorized as non-need based aid. Financial Need is the difference between the Cost of Attendance and your Expected Family Contribution added with external Educational Resources.
Cost of Attendance (COA), also known as the student’s budget, is an estimate of educational and related expenses incurred during a period of enrollment.
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of your family’s financial strength and resources available to assist with the cost of your education which is calculated through the FAFSA.
Any anticipated Educational Resource, paid directly to you or to the College on your behalf, is your legal responsibility to report, and may affect your financial aid eligibility. Examples include, but are not limited to, Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Administration, and employer tuition reim- bursement.
Special Circumstances
The College does recognize that a student and/or family’s true circumstances may not be accurately portrayed at the time they file their FAFSA. Special circumstances may include, but not limited to: loss of job, divorce, and medical expenses above the average allowance. A special circumstance application requires completion of the verification process, supporting documen- tation, and providing further information upon request.
Code of Conduct
The staff of the Office of Financial Aid and designated agents of the College are expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct and to follow this code of conduct outlined by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
The professional shall:
1. Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
2. Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests of the students and parents he or she serves.
3. Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain. 4. Be objective in making decisions and
advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid. 5. Refrain from soliciting or accepting any-
thing of other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a governmental entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity. 6. Disclose to his or her institution, in
such manner as his or her institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
Financial Aid Calendar 2012-13 This calendar applies to standard term courses. Late Start coursework and/or contract courses may affect the disburse- ment and credit balance check dates due to different published drop dates. Dates are subject to change.
Summer Term
(July 7 – August 31, 2012)
July 3, 2012– Advanced funds for qualified Pell recipients to obtain books and supplies July 13, 2012– Last day to drop a class and receive a refund
July 13, 2012– SAP appeal deadline for term reentry
July 16 - 18, 2012– Credits verified and aid released to student accounts
July 31, 2012– Check printed and mailed for credit balances
Fall Term
(September 8 – December 7, 2012) August 24, 2012– SAP appeal deadline for term reentry
September 5, 2012– Advanced funds for qualified Pell recipients to obtain books and supplies
September 21, 2012– Last day to drop a class and receive a refund
September 24-26, 2012- Credits verified and aid released to student accounts October 9, 2012- Check printed and mailed for credit balances
Winter Term
(January 5 – March 29, 2013)
December 23, 2013– SAP appeal deadline for term reentry
January 3, 2013- Advanced funds for qualified Pell recipients to obtain books and supplies
January 18, 2013– Last day to drop a class and receive a refund
January 21-23, 2013- Credits verified and aid released to student accounts February 5, 2013- Check printed and mailed for credit balances
Spring Term
(April 6 – June 28, 2013)
March 22, 2013 – SAP appeal deadline for term reentry
April 2, 2013 - Advanced funds for qualified Pell recipients to obtain books and supplies April 19, 2013 - Last day to drop a class for tuition refund
April 22-24, 2013 - Credits verified and aid released to student accounts
May 7, 2013 - Check printed and mailed for credit balances
Constitution Day
September 17 is designated as Constitution Day for all schools eligible for Title IV funding. Granite State College annually celebrates Constitution Day to promote an understanding and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution.