Winter 2010 Newsletter

							CommonCents
WINTER 2010
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A Newsletter Presented by the Office of Financial Aid

Inside This Issue Time to File Your FAFSA!
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Satisfactory Academic Progress Scholarships 101 Financial Aid for Graduate Students Handy Clip-Out Financial Aid Web Site Guide Winter 2010 Financial Aid Spring/Summer Financial Aid: Planning Ahead And More... Office of Financial Aid
403 Pierce Hall 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday 734.487.0455 financial_aid@emich.edu

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It’s already time to start thinking about applying for 2010-2011 financial aid. The 2010-2011 FAFSA becomes available January 1, 2010. EMU continues to see tremendous growth in the number of students applying for aid and our students are applying earlier and earlier each year. We know everyone can use every bit of aid they can get in this economy and that is why this year it is more important than ever to apply for aid early! Our office suggests that students file the FAFSA by mid-February; this is especially important because aid is awarded based, in part, on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will be considered for every requested financial aid program for which they may be eligible and for which there are available funds. We cannot stress enough, FILE EARLY!

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College Goal Sunday
No appointment is necessary for this event that helps students and their parents complete their financial aid application.

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DATE: Sunday, February 14, 2010 TIME: 1pm-4pm LOCATION: Halle Library/Rooms G07C and G11

FAFSA Fridays
Set up an appointment for free FAFSA help.

DATES: Each Friday, January 8 through February 10, 2010 TIMES: Sessions scheduled 10am-3pm LOCATION: Halle Library/Room G07C Call 734.487.0455 or E-mail financial_aid@emich.edu

CommonCents Winter 2010 WebSitesWorthYourTime
To complete your FAFSA: fafsa.ed.gov To get your PIN: pin.ed.gov Scholarship Information: emich.edu/finaid/schols Michigan Programs: michigan.gov/mistudentaid Entrance Counseling: mappingyourfuture.org Stafford and PLUS Master Promissory Notes: dlenote.ed.gov View your student loan history: NSLDS.ed.gov PLUS Pre-application: emich.edu/finaid/loans/directloanplus.htm Stafford and PLUS servicing: www.dl.ed.gov IRS Tax transcripts and information: www.irs.gov For questions about your bill: emich.edu/sbs/dates.html Perkins Loan Information: emich.edu/sbs/student/studentsperkinsloan.html Eagle Card Office: emich.edu/sbs/eagleone.html Student employment: eaglecareers.erecruiting.com Housing/Dining: emich.edu/housing Veteran information: emich.edu/compliance/veterans Counseling and Medical Services: emich.edu/uhs/counseling.html Text Message Alerts: emich.edu/alerts 1098T Tax Infomation: emich.edu/sbs/taxinformation.html H1N1 Infomation: emich.edu/uhs/swineflu ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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Winter Semester Begins Soon!

Are you new to EMU in Winter 2010? Begin planning your financial aid now.
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Complete and submit the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov or add EMU code 002259 to have your existing FAFSA sent here New transfer students should contact Academic Advising (487.2171) to schedule an advising appointment Register for classes/follow steps to receive your EagleOne Card (emich.edu/sbs/eagleone.html) Once the Office of Financial Aid receives your FAFSA and you’re admitted, you will be awarded financial aid based on eligibility Use your my.emich account to accept awards and view outstanding requirements

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Start Thinking About Spring/Summer!
It may seem early, but there are some important things you need to know if you plan on attending EMU during the Spring and/or Summer semesters.
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In addition to filing the 2009-10 FAFSA if you haven’t already, EMU will require completion of the Spring/Summer Financial Aid Application (available February 15, 2010) Applications will be available at our website (emich.edu/finaid), our office (403 Pierce Hall) or Service EMU (268 Student Center) If you received a federal Pell Grant in Fall and/or Winter, you are eligible for a Pell award in Spring and/or Summer Funding is extremely limited and is awarded first-come, first-served so FILE EARLY! Spring/Summer semesters are “accelerated,” two month semesters; please contact OFA or SEMU to find out what constitutes halftime/ fulltime enrollment Remember to FILE EARLY! 2/15/10—mark your calendars!

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CommonCents

Winter 2010

Making the Grade: Satisfactory Academic Progress
College is meant to be challenging. You need to be prepared to take tough classes, balance coursework with social life and work and study hard to get the grades that are meaningful to you. The Office of Financial Aid is required to monitor all students towards the progress of their degree. Our evaluation following each semester ensures they are maintaining the minimum required grade point average, completing a certain percentage of attempted credits, and finishing their degree within a specified time frame. This federal requirement is called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Students who maintain the minimum requirements of SAP will continue to be eligible for their grants, scholarships, federal loans, work study and other aid. Those who fall below the minimum standards for two semesters will lose their eligibility the next semester. Students may appeal to the Financial Aid Review Committee to be considered for financial aid reinstatement.

Check my SAP sta .emich to view tu m know!! s...I’m required y to Full pol icy is at emic :
h.edu/fi naid/ge ninfo/sa p.htm

CommonCents Tipster:
Stay on track! If you need help, the Holman Learning Center offers tutoring, workshops and supplemental instruction. It doesn’t cost anything and the staff is friendly and understanding! ——————————————G04 Halle Library learning.center@emich.edu 734.487.2133

CommonCents

Winter 2010
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The Office of Financial Aid vs. Student Business Services
Many students have a difficult time understanding the difference between these two offices. While they may seem similar, each has a very unique role in servicing our students. Here is a helpful guide to assist you:

Student Business Services
201 Pierce Hall/487.3335
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Office of Financial Aid
403 Pierce Hall/487.0455
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Registration Holds Student Bills (ebill.emich.edu) Cashier’s Office (make payments) Refunds Payment Plans Higher One Information (emueagleone.com) Perkins Loan Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling Authorization to Pay Form Third Party Payments (MET, MI Works, Foreign Government Payments, Employer Reimbursements, No Worker Left Behind) Collections Short Term Loans Residency and Tuition Appeals

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Applying for Financial Aid (fafsa.ed.gov) Applying for Scholarships Financial Aid Awarding: • Grants • Student Loans (Stafford & Perkins) • Parent/Graduate PLUS Loans • Private Loans • Work-Study • Scholarships (Endowed) • Scholarship Checks (from outside resources) Disbursement of Financial Aid Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (dlenote.ed.gov) Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling (mappingyourfuture.org)

CommonCents Tipster:
Service EMU at the EMU Student Center is available to all students. This “One Stop Shop” has representatives available to help with financial aid, billing and registration concerns. Service EMU is conveniently located on the second floor of the EMU Student Center (behind Starbucks). Check EMU’s website for hours of operation.

EMU Winter Bill Sent: December 15, 2009 EMU Winter Bill Due: January 4, 2010 Winter Classes Begin: January 6, 2010 First Winter Refunds (for eligible students): January 6, 2010 2010-11 University Scholarship Application Available (Winter admits): February 15, 2010 Spring/Summer Financial Aid Application Available: February 15, 2010 Last Day of Winter Classes: April 24, 2010 Due Date for Fall University Scholarship Application: January 29, 2010

DATES TO REMEMBER

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CommonCents
emich.edu/finaid

Winter 2010

2010-11 University Scholarship Application

Scholarships 101

The application is available each year in mid-October for undergraduate students who may not have a University The Office of Financial Aid primarily awards scholarships to scholarship, are looking to upgrade their current traditional undergraduate students and non-resident graduate students. However, each college and department has their own set University scholarship and/or would like to apply for a Leader Award based on their involvement in an EMU of endowed scholarships that they can award at their discretion. Applications and deadlines will vary. Students can find out about organization. This application is for returning EMU students and new students who will have an EMU GPA the available scholarships and get information on how to apply after Fall 2009. The application is due January 29, 2010 for EMU endowed scholarships here: and the application requires a one page essay, resumé emich.edu/finaid/schols/endowmain.htm and one letter of recommendation. Second Bachelor and Teacher Certification students have Students admitted beginning Winter semester may apply scholarship options through endowed and external scholarships. through the “University Scholarship Application for Graduate students (both resident and non-resident) are primarily Winter Admits.” This application is only for students awarded scholarships through the Graduate School, though they newly admitted in the Winter semester. It will be can often qualify for endowed scholarships as well. available February 15, 2010 and is due the last day of winter semester (April 23, 2010). Popular search engines for external scholarships include:
fastweb.com meritaid.com scholarships.com brokescholar.com iefa.org (for International Students)

The African American Studies department also has an extensive listing of external scholarships available:
emich.edu/aas/scholarship_news.htm

Graduate Financial Aid CommonCents Tipster:
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Federal Stafford Loans (fafsa.ed.gov) Graduate School Awards (Scholarships, Assistantships and Fellowships)—gradschool.emich.edu or 487.0042 Outside Scholarships (community groups, civic organizations, employers, etc.)—checks should be mailed to: Office of Financial Aid, 403 Pierce Hall, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Students cannot be awarded aid (Stafford Loans, Tuition Waivers, Assistantships, Fellowships, etc.) in excess of the established “Budget” also known as the Cost of Attendance. So when a student is awarded additional assistance, Stafford loans may be adjusted accordingly if needed.

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Do you want to know more about EMU? Visit our comprehensive consumer information section at emich.edu/ finaid Learn more about: Financial assistance to students, accreditation, graduation rates, privacy of student information, general University information and athletic programs.

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CommonCents

Winter 2010
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“Dear Aunt Finnie…”
Common Cents is proud to bring you a new feature we call “Dear Aunt Finnie.” Our beloved Finnie answers some of the frequently asked questions we receive from students like you. If you have a question for Aunt Finnie, please e-mail it to fa_newsletter@emich.edu.
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CommonCents Tipster:
Where can you go to view your federal loan information? The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the Department of Education’s central database for federal student aid. Here you can view how much you have borrowed in Perkins, federal Stafford and PLUS loans. Visit nslds.ed.gov for a comprehensive look at your financial aid history.

How did we do? We value your feedback! If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve “Common Cents,” please email us at fa_newsletter@emich.edu.