Wonder why we keep asking for more information? It’s because you may have answered a question inconsistently. Some of our more common data entry errors are listed below. Don’t fall prey to these mistakes.
Know the author: who does it belong to? It is important to pay close attention to who should be completing the forms. We frequently see students completing parent documents and vice versa. Filling out a form incorrectly will result in the document needing to be recompleted. Parents should not be completing the Master Promissory Note or Entrance Loan Counseling on the student’s behalf, and students should not be applying for Parent PLUS Loans.
Listing too many or not enough people in your household: on the FAFSA and/or on a verification worksheet, you should include anyone who plans to live in the student’s household between 7/1 and 6/30 that the student’s family will be providing 51% or more financial support for. This can include unborn children as long as they are born between 7/1 and 6/30. If you are putting someone over the age of 24 who you do not claim on your taxes, you may need to provide proof of 51% or more financial support.
Enrollment: When completing your FAFSA, make sure your year in school and degree type are accurate as it does change the types and amounts of financial aid you may be eligible for. A common mistake is students who indicate they are pursuing a graduate degree prior to receiving a Bachelor degree. This mistake costs you federal, state, and institutional grant funds as graduate students are only eligible for unsubsidized loans. Not putting an accurate grade level will give you false results.
Full-time intent: Students in the Traditional Day Program and New Dimensions Program are assumed to be full-time unless we hear otherwise. However, students in the Accelerated Degree Program and Graduate Programs must provide written intent in the form of a financial aid application. The biggest piece of conflicting information occurs when reviewing what a student has provided for intent compared to what they have registered for. Just like your grade level can have an impact on the types of financial aid you are eligible for, so can your enrollment.
Stop by the Financial Aid Office for more information. Never fear, we are here!
Location: Aquinas Hall, Room 107
Hours: Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30a.m. – 4:30p.m.
Phone: (203) 773-8508
Fax: (203) 773-8972
Email: financial_aid@albertus.edu