Applying for Financial Aid

1. The Financial Aid Application
   
   The first step is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Visit our Virtual Financial Aid Office to access the FAFSA. Be sure you choose the correct academic year for which you will be requesting aid. MSU’s school code is 003807. Print a copy for your records once you have submitted the application. The copy will contain an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) number you will need for additional processing. If you have questions about completing the FAFSA, please call toll free 1-800-4FED-AID.
   
   
2. The Financial Aid Estimator
   
   If you would like to have an estimate of the Federal Aid you will receive, use the Financial Aid Estimator available on the VFAO website. The Estimator gives annual amounts (two semesters). For loans, it also assumes that you are an independent student. If you are a dependent student, you should only look at the subsidized loan amounts. As a dependent you are not eligible for the unsubsidized loan amount. Please remember that this is an estimate only and is subject to change once your file is processed.
   
   
3. Planning Your Academic Schedule
   
   Meet with your Academic Advisor and select the classes in which you plan to enroll. This must be done so that academic course load questions can be answered in the Financial Aid Interview.
   
   
4. The Financial Aid Interview
   
   Your next step is to complete the VFAO interview. It is necessary to complete step 1 and 2 above before beginning the interview. Again, be sure you choose the correct semester for which you want aid. The interview will inform the University regarding the semester for which you need aid, your grade level, and other information that is needed for processing. If you have questions about completing the interview, please call toll free 1-877-906-1723. Part of the eligibility for financial aid is based upon the Cost of Attendance (COA) at the school you are attending. Federal guidelines state that the COA consists of average tuition, fees, books, living expenses, transportation and miscellaneous expense. All education aid added together cannot exceed your COA. Therefore, it is very import that you list all aid you will receive as requested in the VFAO interview. Other aid can consist of veteran’s benefits, state grants, rehabilitation, employee waivers, scholarships, private loans, military tuition assistance, etc. This list is not inclusive but examples of aid you might receive. Note: Aid not listed on the interview as part of the initial award process can result in recalculation later that could require aid being returned.
   
   
5. Master Promissory Note
   
   If you have decided to apply for a Federal Stafford loan and have never had a loan before at MSU, you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Do this by clicking Visit your Guarantor at the interview screen that asks if you have completed an MPN. This will take you to the Department of Education webpage. Follow the prompts for completing the MPN. Without completing this step, the lender cannot legally disburse your student loans.
   
   SPECIAL NOTE: Federal Stafford Loans require that you be enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours for undergraduate/3 credit hours for graduate students) at the time of disbursement to be eligible to receive the award.
   
   
6. Processing Your Financial Aid
   
   Once these steps are completed and you are registered for classes, the financial aid staff will begin processing your award(s). If you are chosen for verification by the Federal Department of Education (as noted on your FAFSA) you will be notified of additional information that is required for processing. Please furnish this information as soon as possible since Federal guidelines prohibit awarding aid until this information is received and processed.
   
   This information can be mailed to:
   Mountain State University, VFAO
   P.O. Box 17709
   Greenville, SC 29606
   
   or you can fax the information to the VFAO toll free at 1-888-225-7186.
   
   
7. Your Official Financial Aid Award Notice
   
   You will be notified by email (the one you included on your FAFSA) or, if your email is not active, you will be mailed your Award Notice. It will contain the information for Federal financial aid and your estimated disbursement dates. You can review the status of your aid by visiting the VFAO and choosing the “Interviews” section. There will be a link on this page where you may view your financial aid status.
   

If you have questions, you may contact the Virtual Financial Aid Office at 877.906.1723 or the Mountain State University Service Center at 1-866-497-4111

Enter Virtual Financial Aid Office