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07Catchin’

DoubloonsScholarships, Grants

& Loans

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Institutional Aid Each institution has its own merit-based

scholarship programs

Many schools have their own need-based aid programs

Investigate aid opportunities early Each institution has its own aid application

process and deadline

Upperclassmen should also check with their department for aid opportunities for students in a specific major

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Campus-Based Federal Aid Programs FSEOG

LEAP

Academic Competitiveness Grant

National SMART Grant

Federal Work Study

Perkins Loans

Stafford Loans

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Institution Financial Aid DeadlinesInstitution Deadline Institution DeadlineBRCC 4/15 BPCC 6/1

Centenary 3/15 Delgado 5/1

Grambling 6/1 La College 5/1

Delta CC 4/15 LSU-A 5/1

LSU-BR 5/1 LSU-E 6/1

LSU-S 6/1 La Tech 7/15

Loyola 2/1 McNeese 5/1

Nicholls 4/15 Northwestern 5/1

Holy Cross 4/15 OLOL 5/1

SLU 5/1 SU-BR 3/31

SU-S 7/30 SU-NO 4/15

Tulane 2/1 ULL 5/1

ULM 7/1 UNO 5/15

Xavier 6/1

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Forms FAFSA

Required for all federal need-based aid programs

Institutional Data Form Many institutions require this form to gather

information on student preferences including choice of lender and guarantor, semesters the student is applying for, student status, and interest in specific programs

Verification Forms Approximately 30% of applicants for federal

student aid are randomly selected for verification of income

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Special Situations

You should make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor for assistance with the FAFSA if any of the following situations apply: You have no contact with your parents Your family has had a significant change in

income due to the death of a family member or the loss of a job

Your family has unusually large medical expenses

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Packaging Packages are usually prepared for students who

have been accepted for admission and have sent their FAFSA to the school

The institution will create a financial aid package to fill the student’s financial need with aid types that are most advantageous to the student

Aid is typically packaged in the following order: Scholarships & Grants Work Study Perkins Loans Stafford Loans (Subsidized & Unsubsidized) Plus Loans Stafford Unsubsidized Loans – for independent

students and dependent students whose parents have an adverse credit history

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Institutional Award Letter

The award letter will list all aid that the financial aid office has approved for the student

Institutions will typically include an estimate of a TOPS award in the financial aid package to prevent an over-award of other forms of financial aid The sum of all aid received cannot exceed the

cost of attendance (COA) Official notification of a TOPS award is made

by LOSFA

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Papers in the Mail

You may receive the following types of correspondence in the mail: Student Aid Report

Award letter from LOSFA (TOPS)

Request for documents for verification – from the institution to verify data submitted on the FAFSA for federal aid programs

Data Form – some institutions require this form to determine the student’s interest in aid types prior to packaging

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Papers in the Mail Notification of aid from private sources

Notify the institution you are attending of any aid you receive for inclusion in your financial aid package

Financial aid package award letter from the institution

Master Promissory Note – if accepting a loan Must be returned to the lender