Financial Aid HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID To complete the FAFSA log on to www.studentaid.gov. Before beginning, visit Filling Out the FAFSA® Form for more information about the FAFSA and Financial Aid. The FAFSA is available in both English and Spanish. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible to receive priority packaging. The priority deadline for applying for Shaw University administered financial aid is March 15th for the next academic year. The student and parent must have the following information before completing the FAFSA: Parent and student income information, including W-2s and Tax Return Transcripts for two years prior to year applied for. FSA ID for both student and parent. You can create an FSA ID here. Shaw University's Federal School Code: 002962 Once you have completed your FAFSA a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be generated after about 1-3 business days and emailed to you by the federal processor and available at www.studentaid.gov. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) and determine if it is necessary to make corrections. Your FAFSA will be transmitted electronically to Shaw University in 3-5 business days after completed. During the process of applying for aid, the Department of Education randomly selects students for a process called verification. Verification is a process in which certain students receiving financial aid are requested to provide additional proof of their identification and certify that the information on their financial aid materials is correct. This is a federally mandated quality control process. Students selected must send the requested documents to the financial aid office before an aid offer can be made. If your file is selected for verification, the school is required to compare certain data elements reported on your FAFSA. Your SAR will tell you if you have been selected for verification. Once all required documents have been received, under normal circumstances verification is completed in 5-7 business days. Please be aware that depending on situations, timelines can vary. Financial aid offers will not be made unless all required documents are received. Once your financial aid file is complete, you will be granted financial aid based on your eligibility established by completing the FAFSA. The receipt of financial aid is not automatic. Students must apply each year for financial aid and supply all information as required by the federal government and the institution before eligibility is determined. Financial aid awards may change from year to year. A financial aid offer letter notification will be emailed to the university email address for returning students and email supplied on the FAFSA for new students. Financial Aid offer letters are sent to students 5-7 business days after the financial aid file is completed. Financial Aid advisors are available via email, phone or in person counseling to discuss any questions you may have concerning general financial aid or your financial aid offer letter. At Shaw University, students are typically offered a loan in their aid package. If you choose to accept this loan you will need to complete loan entrance counseling and a promissory note for the Federal Direct Loan Program. These items can be completed online at studentaid.gov. You will have the option to decline, accept fully, or accept partially any student loans that you have been offered. If you choose to decline the loan offered in your financial aid offer, you will be responsible for any cost that would have been covered by the loan. Helpful Hints: For more information about student loans and all types of financial aid, visit Types of Financial Aid for additional resources Always keep copies of all financial aid documents. Financial Aid advisors are always available via email, phone or in person counseling (during business hours) to discuss any questions you may have concerning general financial aid or your financial aid offer letter. You can find our Financial Aid Staff for more information about who to contact for questions. Attend all classes and have a great semester!