2008-2009 Financial Aid Application Process

Application
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal and state aid

•	Establishes a level of financial aid eligibility.
•	Information needed may be requested from student and/or parent.

Availability

•	Via FAFSA on the Web: www.fafsa.ed.gov. Web filers should apply for a PIN number first: www.pin.ed.gov. Use the 2008-2009 Web Pre-Application Worksheet to help guide you through the FAFSA online process.

Instructions

•	Read before completing FAFSA.
•	Misunderstanding or misinterpretations could delay the process.
•	Keep copies of FAFSA and supporting documents.
•	NEIU has its own institutional Financial Aid Application.
•	File FAFSA by February 28 to meet NEIU's priority filing deadline.
•	Priority filing deadline refers to campus-based funds: Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and Federal College Work-Study.

Federal School Code for Northeastern Illinois University: 001693

Student Aid Report (SAR)

•	The FAFSA generates a Student Aid Report (SAR) by mail or via email (for web filers).
•	Once NEIU receives SAR electronically; students should request an NEIU Financial Aid Application.
•	SARs are reviewed in order of date received and aid is awarded based on the availability of funds.

New Students (Freshmen & Transfer Students)

•	SARs received after April 30, 2008 may not be processed in time to meet Fall 2008 semester payment dates; late applicants should be prepared to make the initial payment.
•	FAFSA can be submitted, even if you have not been admitted to the university.
•	Final award announcements will be delayed until admittance to the university is confirmed.
•	An online Loan Entrance Counseling session must be completed by all Stafford Loan applicants, if applying for a loan through NEIU for the first time.
•	Be sure the NEIU Enrollment Services Office has your Social Security Number. To be eligible for Financial Aid, you must provide your SSN.

Summer Financial Aid Information
Limited financial aid is available for Summer. Minimum enrollment eligibility is 5 credit hours combined for Summer I and Summer II.

	•	Pell Grants are available based on the remaining eligibility from the 2007-2008 award (i.e., less than full time attendance in 2007-2008 or only one semester attended).
	•	Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Work Study will be awarded to the earliest eligible 2008-2009 applicants as funds are available.
	•	No Federal Stafford Loans will be processed for Summer term, with the exception of August 2008 or December 2008 graduates or students enrolled in a Study Abroad Program in Summer 2008.