Getting Started

Prior to completing your financial aid application, it is important to get organized and collect all needed information. This information may include student data only or student and parent data depending upon the student's "dependency" status for financial aid purposes. In accordance with federal regulations, all students are considered dependent upon their parent(s) or guardian(s) for financial aid purposes unless they meet one of the following criteria:

Born before January 1, 1979 and be at least 24 years-old by January 1 of the year you are applying for
Working on a degree beyond a bachelor's during the academic year
Are married
Have children who receive more than half of their support from the student or have other dependents who live with and receive more than half of their support from the student
Are an orphan or ward of the court until age 18
Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

Information and documents you will need to complete your financial aid application include:

Copies of your previos years Federal Tax Return and Schedules or estimated tax information
All previous years W-2's
Records of any untaxed income received in previous years (welfare, social security, AFDC or ADC, veteran benefits)
Current bank statements, mortgage information (on residences other than your primary home), business and farm records, records of stocks, bonds and other investments.