1. Apply for your PIN number, an electronic access code number. Dependent students who must report their parents' information should also apply for a PIN number for the parent who will be responsible for signing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With a PIN, you can apply and "sign" your FAFSA online, and you'll get your results faster. Also, you can make corrections to your application information and more, all online. You will only be assigned one PIN number and if you misplace the number you can always apply for a duplicate. Go to www.pin.ed.gov
2. Complete the FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA for the current year. Remember to add the School Code (001648), so that our office will receive your information electronically. If you submit your application online it will be processed within two to three weeks compared to three to six weeks processing time if you submit a paper FAFSA. Apply online the faster and easier way by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Our staff is available to assist you if needed and computers are located outside our office (Room 1935) for your convenience.
3. Review your Student Aid Report, the results of your FAFSA application. You will receive your SAR in the mail if you submitted a paper FAFSA or you can check for your SAR online if you filed online. Review this information carefully. A valid SAR will have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number (Example EFC: 00000) which determines your eligibility for financial aid. If you included Truman's federal school code (001648) on your FAFSA we will receive the results of your SAR electronically. If you do not include our school code you must bring in a copy of your SAR to our office.
4. Set up your file by completing a Financial Aid Authorization Form. If your SAR indicates that it was selected for verification, you must complete a Verification Worksheet and you (your parents also if you are dependent student) will have to submit signed copies of IRS tax forms (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) for the past tax year. If you or your parents did not file taxes, you may also be required to submit proof of all non-taxable income for the past year (Example: AFDC, Child Support, Social Security, etc...).
5. Your financial aid file will be reviewed and awarded by a Financial Aid Advisor. You will receive your award letter once your financial aid file is complete. Awarding of campus-based aid, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and Federal Work Study (FWS) is done on a first-come first-serve basis. Therefore, It is important that you respond to and submit missing documents as soon as possible. Your AWARD LETTER identifies the type and amount of financial aid offered to you by Truman College.
