Frequently Asked Questions

How can I use my financial aid to purchase my books?

If you have a credit balance on your account, you may charge your books in the bookstore.  Bookstore charges begin two weeks prior to the start of each term and ends two weeks after classes begin.  Be sure to have your student id with you.

How much financial aid did I receive?

You can check your awards through your MySSU account.  Once you login, click on the Student tab.  On the left side of the screen, you will see the Financial Aid link.  You can check your awards.  If your aid is not awarded, be sure to check the Missing Documents link.

Why do I have to give you copies of my taxes?

The U.S. Department of Education selects one in three students for verification.  Verification means that the school must verify the information you reported on your FAFSA.  The school is required to collect all supporting documentation including your federal tax return.  The student and/or parent must submit the requested information in order to receive financial aid.

What does EFC mean?

EFC is the expected family contribution.  The U.S. Department of Education calculates how much your family can contribute to the cost of your education based on the information reported on your FAFSA.  The EFC determines your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, the Ohio College Opportunities Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan.

What is ACG Grant?

The ACG grant is the Academic Competitiveness Grant and is available to students who complete a rigorous high school curriculum and receive the Pell grant.  The ACG grant is available for the first two years of college.  Click here for more information on ACG and a rigorous high school curriculum.

What is the National SMART Grant?

The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National SMART Grant, is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who receive the Pell grant and who are majoring in biology, chemistry, natural science, mathematics, computer engineering technology, environmental engineering, digital simulation/design (engineering department), and plastics. Please contact the financial aid office to determine if you are in a National SMART eligible field of study. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

What is SEOG?

SEOG or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is a need based grant awarded to students who show the most need as determined by the results of the FAFSA.  SSU is given a limited amount of money for this grant so it is awarded on a first come first serve bases.

When can I apply for scholarships?

The scholarship deadline for 2009-2010 institutional scholarships is February 15, 2009. Students must have ACT/SAT scores and transcripts (including GPA) sent to the Admissions Office by this date.

The 2009-2010 Development Foundation Scholarship deadline is also February 15, 2009. Students must have the Development Foundation Scholarship application submitted by this date. Students interested in need-based scholarships must have their FAFSA filed by February 15, 2009.

Why is my scholarship on hold?

Each scholarship has specific criteria such as a minimum GPA, a minimum number of credit hours, a certain major, or completion of a certain number of credit hours.  For information specific to your scholarship, please contact Kassandra Bryant at kbryant@shawnee.edu.

How much can I borrow in student loans?

Federal Direct loan amounts are determined based on academic grade level and dependency status.  Click here to see how much you can borrow.

Why is my loan on hold?

Federal Direct loans require that a student be enrolled at least half time (six credit hours for undergraduate, five hours for graduate) to receive the loan.  Also, a student must be making satisfactory progress toward his/her degree.

What is Standards of Progress?

All students who receive Title IV Federal Financial Aid, including student loans, must successfully pass 66% of the courses they take.  If a student withdraws or fails a class, that counts as attempted but not earned coursework.  Once a student drops below 66% of successful completion, he/she is placed on probation.  The second time this happens, the student is placed on financial aid suspension.  The student has the right to appeal this decision.  If the appeal is approved, the student can continue to receive financial aid.  However, the next time the student withdraws or fails could result in financial aid suspension again.  Once a student is on suspension, he/she is no longer eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid until he/she reaches the 66% completion ratio again.  For more information on Standards of Progress, click here.

What is a Master Promissory Note?

The Master Promissory Note or MPN is a loan contract between the borrower and the Department of Education.  It is a promise to repay the student loan.  The MPN contains the terms and conditions of the student loan and must be signed before the loan funds will be disbursed to SSU.  The MPN is good for 10 years and additional student loans may be disbursed from the original signed MPN.

I don’t live at home with my parents.  Why do I have to include their income information on my FAFSA?

A student is considered a dependent student until they are 24 years old unless they are married; have dependents they provide more than fifty percent of support; are a veteran; were a dependent or ward of the court before age 13;emancipated minor or legal guardianship as determined by the Court; unaccompanied youth who was homeless (documentation must be provided by your school district, emergency shelter, transitional housing, or youth center); or are pursuing a graduate degree.  Just because a student does not live at home or their parents do not claim them on the taxes does not make the student independent for financial aid purposes.

I have already filed my FAFSA but I just got married.  Can I change my FAFSA to married?

The FAFSA is filed based on your marital status as of the day you file.  If you get married after filing your FAFSA, you cannot change your marital status until you file the FAFSA for the next academic year.

I need more financial aid.  What do I do?

If you have applied for grants, scholarships, and federal student and parent loans, you may consider applying for private loans.  Private loans are credit based loans.  The student must have good credit or a credit worthy cosigner.  Click here for more information.