Financial Aid Checklist

Important Information About YOUR Financial Aid!

In order to ensure that your application for financial aid has been received and processed, there are several steps that you must take.

Don’t wait to get these steps done!

1. Apply for your U.S. Department of Education PIN and complete your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Remember, MSU’s school code (called the OPE ID) is 003807. You must sign the FAFSA electronically or mail in the signature page as soon as your FAFSA is submitted to the USDOE for processing. The USDOE needs this information in order to process your FAFSA.

2. Complete the online interview process at www.mountainstate.edu/current/fa and then click “Virtual Financial Aid Office.” You can access this site by first creating a user ID and password by following the “Register Now” link. You will use your newly created pass word to electronically sign your interview. If you need help getting the interview completed and locked, contact our virtual office at (877) 906-1723.

3. New students must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) only once in order to receive student loans. After completing the online interview in step 2 above, you will be prompted to sign an MPN with American Education Services (AES). Follow the directions for completing the MPN online. You can sign your MPN electronically using your USDOE PIN. You can have a paper MPN mailed to you by calling AES at (877) 603-6010.

4. Please note: If you have been selected for verification by the USDOE, you must provide numerous documents to the VFAO before your aid can be processed. Please try to get these documents in as quickly as possible so that your aid is not delayed. This information can be mailed to the virtual office at Mountain State University, Virtual Financial Aid Office, P.O Box 17709, Greenville, SC 29606 or faxed toll free to (877) 535-3980.

5. Most importantly, follow up on your student aid and account. To check the status of your financial aid please go to www.mountainstate.edu/current/fa and log in. Select "Student Interview Center" then select "Student Financial Aid Status Report." You can also view your student account balance on Cougar Web to see if your aid has been posted at https://online.mountainstate.edu. You must keep informed of your account balance so that you do not end a term with a balance. Future registration will be held unless paid in full.

If you have problems completing your aid, contact our virtual office at (877) 906-1723. You may also contact Mountain State University at (866) 497-4111 for further assistance. And remember to check your email frequently for important updates about your financial aid and student account status.