Some students don't apply for financial aid because they think aid is not available. They’re wrong. More than five million students throughout America are getting some outside help this year. Further, billions of dollars go unclaimed each year because no one applies for them. You don't have to be poor to qualify, but you do have to show that you need aid. "Need" is the difference between what it costs to attend a college and what you and your family can afford to pay toward the costs.

The Basic Aid Formula    

      
             What It Costs To Attend
     -      What Your Family Can Pay                
     =      Financial Need 

You are usually eligible for financial aid equal to the amount of your demonstrated need.

Types of Financial Aid
 
There are three types of financial aid:

• Grants or scholarships are funds that do not have to be repaid. Grants are usually based on need. Scholarships may be based on need, but some reward students for academic excellence, leadership, and/or community service.
• Loans are funds that must be repaid, usually after graduation or leaving school. Student loans have lower interest rates than most commercial loans. If you receive a loan, you must receive entrance counseling before receiving your loan and an exit interview before you leave college.
• Work-Study involves earning money as payment for work. If you receive aid, the Financial Aid Office may put together a combination of different types of aid, often called an "award package."

Tips on Applying for Financial Aid
 
Apply Early- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between January 1 and March 1 for priority consideration.

• Submit the FAFSA to the federal processors in the envelope provided with the application or apply on-line at http://fafsa.edu.gov.
• Don't apply before January 1 or your application will be rejected.
• March 1 is the last day your FAFSA can be postmarked to receive money before funds are exhausted (1st come/1st serve) and during the August disbursement period.

Title IV Codes- You'll need these to designate which campuses you want your information sent to: CSU, Chico -- 001146; CSU, Sacramento -- 001150; UC Davis -- 001313; Butte College -- 006972; Shasta College -- 001289; Yuba College -- 001344. For other schools go to: http://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw0102/fslookup.htm.

You need to reapply for financial aid each year. Once you have received financial aid a "renewal form" will be sent to the previous year's address for completion.

Cal Grant Applicants- In addition to the FAFSA, first-time Cal Grant applicants must submit a "GPA Verification Form" to the California Student Aid Commission in Sacramento by March 1. Please ask in your counseling how these crucial forms are submitted at your school.

Complete Your File Early- Complete your file as early as possible by submitting the documents that are requested from you immediately. Remember, most financial aid is first-come, first-serve.

Dependency Status- If you are considered dependent, you must provide parent(s) information on the FAFSA. You are considered dependent if the answer is "No" to all of the questions in Section D on the FAFSA. If you cannot answer "Yes" to any of the questions but feel you should be considered independent in 2003-2004, you will need to appeal your status. Appeal forms are available from your ETS adviser or the financial aid office.

Selective Service Registration- Do not check this box if you are already registered or are not required to register with Selective Service. If you do, you will be required to submit additional documentation from the Selective Service Administration.

Permanent Address- Address information must be current at all times to prevent delays in correspondence.

Key Dates for Class of 2005-- Financial Aid for Fall 2005/ Spring 2005
 
November 2004

• Institutional scholarship applications are available at the institution's Financial Aid office.
• Begin researching other scholarships. A good scholarship search database can be found at http://www.fastweb.com.

December 2004

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available for 2005/2006. Remember: Do NOT submit before January 1, 2005.

** March 1, 2005**

• Priority filing data for FAFSA. Your FAFSA must be postmarked by this date.
• GPA verification deadline for new Cal Grant applicants. Forms are available from ETS or your counseling office.

May 2005

• If you did not indicate you wanted a loan on your FAFSA or if you are requesting additional funds, you should submit a loan application by June 1, 2005 for priority consideration.
• Loan applications are available at the Financial Aid Office.

June 2005

• Complete your financial aid file. Submit all requested documents by June 1, 2005 for priority consideration.

For additional information go to the NHU, Financial Aid Office Homepage: http://www.nhu.edu/financial_aid/ or the financial aid page at the campus you hope to attend.