Need-Based Financial Aid Application Process

If you wish to be considered for need-based financial aid for the 2008-09 academic year at Muskingum College, follow these steps:

1. File the 2008-09
2. The FAFSA can not be filed before January 1, 2008. The recommended filing date for entering students is March 15, 2008, and for returning students April 15, 2008, though forms filed after that date will be processed. Parents and students should work together. Assemble all 2007 income tax information. If you have not completed your income taxes by the recommended filing date, complete the FAFSA with estimated information. Any necessary adjustments will be made later on receipt of tax forms from you.
   1. To file the FAFSA using a paper application:
      1. Obtain a paper FAFSA from your high school counselor’s office or from Muskingum College Student Financial Services.
      2. Complete the entire FAFSA. Be sure to list Muskingum in Step 6 of the FAFSA. Muskingum’s federal school code is 003084.
      3. Make a photocopy of the form.
      4. Mail the application to the Federal Processor in the envelope provided by March 15, 2008.
   2. To file the FAFSA on-line:
      1. In order to file the FAFSA on-line, you should get a PIN number for yourself and a PIN number for one of your parents at www.pin.ed.gov (PINs will be e-mailed back to you in a few hours). You will use the same PINs every year, so keep your PINs in a safe place.
      2. Click on the link below:
      3. Click on Fill out a FAFSA (entering students) or Fill out a Renewal FAFSA (returning students).
      4. Select the 2008-09 FAFSA.
      5. Follow the instructions to complete the FAFSA on-line. Use the Muskingum federal code of 003084 to have your Student Aid Report sent electronically to Muskingum College. If you are unable to complete the FAFSA in one sitting you may save and return to the application later.
      6. Sign your application using your pin numbers (yours and one parent), or print a signature page, sign it and mail it to the Federal Processor.
         
3. If there will be an income reduction or other special financial circumstances in 2008, inquire about a Special Conditions Form with the Muskingum College Office of Student Financial Services.
   
   
4. You will receive a paper Student Aid Report (SAR) if you filed a paper FAFSA and did not provide an e-mail address. You will receive electronic notification if you filed a paper application and provided an e-mail address or if you filed on-line. You should review the information on the SAR for accuracy. You may make corrections on-line, or contact Student Financial Services with any corrections.
   
   
5. If Muskingum College (code #003084) is listed on the SAR, then we will receive the information from the Federal Processor at the same time you receive your SAR. If you have been admitted to Muskingum College, your forms will be reviewed for correctness and completeness, and follow-up requesting additional information may be necessary. Instances where Muskingum may request follow-up information include:
   1. Cases where the student is selected for “verification” by the federal processor
   2. Incomplete or unclear information
   3. Special circumstances resulting in reduced income
   4. Independent status
   5. Missing signature page
      
      
6. When all information is complete, an electronic Financial Aid Award Notice will be made available for you to view on the Muskingum College website. An e-mail notification will be sent to the student with a link to Your Financial Aid Award. Students will then need to create an account to access the award. Your award notice will include a listing of financial aid for which you are eligible, along with total costs for the 2008-09 year. The listing of possible aid resources and cost information could include:
   1. Muskingum College Grants, Scholarships, Awards of Circumstance
   2. Estimated Federal Pell Grant
   3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
   4. Federal Perkins Loan
   5. Estimated Ohio or Pennsylvania Grant
   6. Estimate of external scholarships (if known)
   7. Campus Employment (Federal Work-Study)
   8. Federal Stafford Loan eligibility (subsidized and unsubsidized)
   9. Total educational costs
   10. Net cost to the family for the 2008-09 year after financial aid
       
       We request that students accept or decline the aid offer by May 1, 2008 or within two weeks of the award if after May 1.