Application Process

2009-2010 FAFSA Deadlines and Information

General Application Information

How and when does a student apply for financial aid?

Beginning in January, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available from high school guidance counselors and on the internet. The FAFSA should be completed only after you and your parents have each completed the federal income tax returns for the prior year because those figures are needed to answer items on the form. Retain a copy of both the parents’ and student’s tax returns for future reference. Submit the completed FAFSA to the processor after January 1, but no later than March 1, in order to be considered "on time" for Montclair State evaluation. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for all federal and state programs, which include student loans. The Institution Code for Montclair State University is 002617. The FAFSA can be filed electronically via the World Wide Web:  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

In order to complete the FAFSA online you will need a U.S. Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN).  If you do not already have a PIN apply for one now. Parents of dependent students may apply for a PIN also. With your PIN, you and your parents can electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

First consideration for campus-based financial aid programs (i.e. Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and Federal Work-Study (FWS)) will be given to students whose forms are received and processed on or before March 1. Filing by that date will also assure you of award notification in time for fall billing.

• How Financial Need is Determined
• Your Financial Aid Package
• Institutional Verification
• Receiving Your Financial Aid
• Special Circumstances

 

How Financial Need is Determined

Each college or university determines an estimate of how much it will cost for you to attend school, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, personal expenses, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. This is called your Cost of Attendance and it will vary from one institution to another. It also varies depending on whether you are a graduate or an undergraduate student.

To determine your financial need, your expected family contribution is subtracted from the cost of attendance

Your Financial Aid Package

Once we receive the results of your FAFSA and other required forms, we will create your financial aid package based on your financial need. It is Montclair State's policy to award scholarships and grants first, followed by employment and loans for which you qualify. You may receive some types of financial aid in excess of your need up to the Cost of Attendance.

We will send you a financial aid award letter outlining the financial aid included in your package. This notice will include general information about each award offered and instructions for accepting or rejecting each award. Some awards (e.g., Stafford and parent loans (PLUS)) may require supplemental applications.

Descriptions of all the programs available at MSU are available online. In addition, if you have a Stafford Loan (Subsidized or Unsubsidized) or a parent loan (PLUS), you will need to follow additional instructions and submit more documentation.

Institutional Verification

When you receive your Student Aid Report in the mail, you may see the following message on the comments page:

"Your application has been selected for review in a process called verification. You must submit to your school signed copies of certain financial documents."

If you receive this message, you will need to submit copies of your and your parents' (if dependent) federal tax returns for the prior year along with either the Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet. For example, if your 2001-2002 Student Aid Report is selected for verification, you need to submit copies of 2000 tax returns to this office. You will not receive an award letter, and financial aid will not be credited to your account until you submit all required documents and verification is completed.

Receiving Your Financial Aid

The Bursar's Office is responsible for disbursing your financial aid. Your financial aid is applied directly to institutional charges (tuition, fees, room, and board). Any excess funds will be available to you within 14 days of the date the credit balance occurs. The Bursar will notify you when excess funds create a credit balance. The notice will be sent to your Montclair State Email address. Any questions about billing or confirming registration, and not about financial aid, should be directed to them.

Special Circumstances

While the process of determining your financial aid eligibility is basically the same for all applicants, there is some flexibility for specific circumstances. At Montclair State, a committee determines whether your special circumstances merit changes in the data elements which determine your Expected Family Contribution or your Cost of Attendance. Montclair State uses standards recommended by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Situations which might merit special circumstances include 1) unusual medical and dental expenses, 2) child care and dependent care costs, 3) income reduction or nonrecurring income and 4) a family and financial situation where a student normally considered dependent could be considered independent. If you feel you have any special circumstances that might affect the amount you and your family are expected to contribute, submit the Request for Review packet from our forms page.