WHEN IT COMES TO BEGINNING THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS, SO OFTEN WE HEAR PEOPLE ASK "WHERE DO I BEGIN?" WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU AND GUIDE YOU THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.
1. What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid refers to any federal and state aid, grants/scholarships and loans, available to students and/or their parents to help offset the cost of higher education.
2. I am a Graduate Student; will I qualify for Federal Aid?
The only Federal Aid you will be eligible for are Student Loans.
3. I am an Undergraduate Student working on my bachelor's degree; will I qualify for Federal Aid?
• You must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (see below).
• You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen.
• You must be enrolled in at least 6 hours.
• You must be officially admitted to Lindenwood University.
4. What are the steps I have to take to apply for Financial Aid?
There are several steps you must complete in order to apply for financial aid. Follow these steps and you will be on your way to completing the process.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal application at www.fafsa.ed.gov , as early as possible to meet state aid deadline of April 1st.
• Complete the Entrance Interview form on line at www.lindenwood.edu.
• Complete Master Promissory Note for Stafford Loan, on line at www.lindenwood.edu.
5. If a Stafford loan does not provide enough financing to meet my educational needs what else is available?
You many want to consider a Parent Plus Loan (Parents of undergraduate students only) or an Alternative Loan (Undergraduate and Graduate students.), please apply at www.lindenwood.edu.
6. Why do I have to provide my parents information?
Even if a student's parents do not contribute money toward their education, students are considered a dependent of their parents unless:
• They are twenty-four years old before January 1 of the year you are applying for financial aid.
• They are an orphan or were a ward of the court until age eighteen.
• They are a veteran.
• They are a graduate student.
• They are married.
• They have legal dependent other than a spouse.
• They are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.
7. If I have not completed my taxes what should I do?
You may estimate your tax amounts for now. Once you have completed your tax forms, make the corrections to your file either electronically on the Web.
8. What does it mean if I am selected for a process called Verification?
Lindenwood University's Office of Financial Aid, in conjunction with the Department of Education participates in a quality assurance program. As part of this program we may ask students and their parents or spouse to provide copies of certain income documents such as federal tax returns, W-2 forms, verification of untaxed income, and Verification Worksheets. We use these documents in a process called verification where we compare income tax information and household size to the data you reported on the FAFSA. Without these forms being complete, we will not be able to process any Federal Aid (grants/scholarships or loans).
9. After applying for Financial Aid what do I do next?
Once you have completed all the proper paperwork needed for financial aid, you will receive a Student Aid Award letter in the mail. The Student Aid award letter will indicate the aid that has been awarded. Please review the Award Letter for accuracy. If the information is correct, sign date and return the white copy to the financial aid office and keep the yellow copy for your records. If the information is incorrect, or you have questions, contact the financial aid office at at 636-949-4923.
10. Who should I contact with questions about my Financial Aid?
The Financial Aid Office is available to answer questions pertaining to your financial aid. Office hours are Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. You can stop by the office which is located in the lower level of Roemer Hall on the main campus or you can call us at 636-949-4923. Please remember your advisor or instructor cannot answer questions pertaining to your financial aid.
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