The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), developed by the U.S. Department
of Education, should be completed and submitted after October 1st prior to the year
in which you are applying for financial aid. This will assure receipt by the processing
center before March 1 for first round consideration for federal and state grants,
work-study and loans.
Be sure to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when providing requested tax information. If
you cannot access your tax information through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, be sure
to have a copy of your completed taxes on hand in order to provide the requested tax
information. Tax information requested will be from 2 years prior to the application
year, for example, 2023-2024 FAFSA requires 2021 federal tax information.
In addition to the FAFSA, graduating West Virginia high school students must also
complete the Common Application for consideration of the PROMISE Scholarship. For
further information, go to:
Fairmont State University's School Code number is 003812.
Using the Department of Education’s FAFSA ON THE WEB worksheet will help to insure the FAFSA is completed with fewer or no errors. There
is not cost to complete this application.
In order to electronically sign the FAFSA, you must have set up a FSA ID. If you are a dependent student according to the Department of Education, one of
your parents must also set up a FSA ID. If you do not have a FSA ID, you (and your parent) can apply for one now by going
to FSA ID.
Once you have submitted the FAFSA, the Department of Education processing center will
calculate a figure that represents the expected family contribution (EFC) toward meeting
your college expenses. You will receive an e-mail from the processing center when
your FAFSA has been processed. Review the data carefully and if corrections are required,
please make them accordingly at the FAFSA website or contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.
To insure the majority of FAFSAs are completed correctly, some applications are selected
by the Department of Education for a process called "verification." If selected, the
Financial Aid Office is required to collect certain documentation to insure the information provided
on the FAFSA is accurate. Students and/or parents can use the IRS DATA RETRIEVAL PROCESS to transfer tax data to the FAFSA which simplifies the completion of the FAFSA and
also reduces paperwork to be submitted for verification. To verify the financial amounts
submitted, the Financial Aid Office will request certain documentation including an
IRS Tax Return Transcript if the IRS DATA Retreival process was not used, a completed verification
worksheet, and other items as needed according to the requirements of the Departmen
of Education. Make certain to sign and date all documentation, put your student ID
or F number on each document and submit to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.
An award package is designed to help with the cost of your education. Please review
the financial aid package thoroughly. Failure to respond to an award package offer
within 30 days from the post mark date of the award letter may result in the aid package
being cancelled and not reinstated.
Understanding the Determination of Your Cost
The ‘Estimated Yearly Budget’ is an average cost that is calculated by the Financial Aid Office.
Your Estimated Yearly Budget consists of Direct Costs and Indirect Costs.
- Direct Costs are those expenses charged by the school such as: Tuition and Fees, Room and Board
(if living on campus) and Books (if charged to your student account at the school
bookstore).
- Indirect costs refers to expenses you may incur while enrolled in school but not charged by the school
such as: Transportation and Personal allowances.
The ‘Expected Family Contribution’ (EFC) is an amount determined by the federal government based on the information you
provided in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is used to determine
eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid and does not represent
your actual payment to the university.
‘Other Resources’ include expected private scholarships, employer financial assistance, vocational
rehabilitation, etc. that will be paid toward your educational expenses on your behalf.
Understanding Your Aid Package
- All awards are based on full time enrollment and may change if your enrollment changes.
- All students must be meeting the minimum standards of Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive and continue receiving Financial Aid..
- Awards are subject to change as more information becomes available. If new information
affects your eligibility we will make any necessary adjustments. You will be notified
by email to check your awards on your FELiX account. This notice includes adjustments
made to your awards, budget, and any change in enrollment.
- Financial aid award(s) shall be void under the following conditions:
- If incorrect information is reported on the FAFSA.
- If for any reason, you withdraw from the institution or are not permitted to return
to the institution.
- If verification results in corrections that affect aid eligibility.
- Before accepting your awards, review information about grants, loans, work opportunities and scholarship eligibility.
Understanding the Types of Aid
Your financial aid offer could include several types of aid.
- Grants — based on expected family contribution (EFC) and do not have to be repaid.
- Scholarships — based on academic merit, expected family contribution (EFC) and do not have to
be repaid.
- Outside Resources — monies not already listed in your award package that you are expecting to receive
to pay from non-institutional organizations to assist with educational expenses
- Federal Work-Study — part-time employment opportunity for students while completing their degree program.
- Loans — money borrowed that must be repaid with interest.
You should periodically check for changes to your financial status at myFairmontState.edu.
All future communications from the Financial Aid Office will be sent to your college
email account. Be sure to check your college email account frequently.
How to Accept Your Award Package
Once you have carefully reviewed the award package information, you must respond to
the award package within 30 days from the post mark date of the award notification. Failure to respond to the offer could result in an aid package being cancelled. Due to some funding limitations, most awards cannot be reinstated after being cancelled
or declined.
All students must accept or decline their award(s) online at myFairmontState.edu by
following the necessary steps:
- Log into myFairmontState
- Select FELiX
- Select ‘Student and Financial Aid’
- Select ‘Financial Aid’
- Select 'Award'
- Select 'Award for Aid Year'
- Select Aid Year
- Select 'Accept Award Offer' tab
- Make decision on the aid offer
NOTE: Aid listed as estimated or pending cannot be accepted via FELiX.
- Parents who are interested in applying for the Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate
Students (PLUS) must complete an application at studentaid.gov after May 1st.
- Graduate students who are interested in applying for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS
Loan must complete an application at studentaid.gov after May 1st.
NOTE: Failure to accept or decline all funds may cause a delay in timely disbursements
being made to your student account and any refunds expected to cover additional college
costs.
Financial aid is paid out in two disbursements, half for the fall semester and half
for the spring semester.
First Time Student Loan Borrowers
All first time loan borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master
Promissory Note (MPN) at studentloans.gov before the loans can be disbursed. Additional
information can be found on our Loan page.
Crediting Aid & Refunds
All federal, state and institutional awards are received by the institution and credited
to the student's school account to pay tuition and fees, room and board, and other
authorized charges. If the disbursement amount exceeds school charges, the remaining
balance is issued as a refund and checks are mailed to students' mailing address if
there is one on file, otherwise the check will be mailed to the student's permanent
address. Students are not permitted to pick up refund checks in person. Mailing
addresses can be updated by the student by logging into their FELiX account.
Private Funding
If you are expecting assistance from sources (e.g. Vocational Rehabilitation, Americorp,
SMART 529, private scholarships) outside Fairmont State University, those funds may
arrive at a later time. You will want to make contact with the agency providing the
funds to assure that you have provided all necessary documents and information for
them to process the payment to be sent to Fairmont State University.
Account Monitoring
It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their FELiX account for billing information,
application of financial aid, and receipt of outside resources. If you need an additional
payment option, check out FIPS.
A. How do I apply for financial assistance?
The financial aid staff uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
to determine financial need and to distribute limited funds to those who have the
fewest financial resources. To increase your chances of getting the maximum aid for
which you are eligible, be sure to file by our priority deadline. Fairmont State University's
FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.
B. What is financial need?
The formula that defines a student's financial need is: Cost of Education - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
You'll find that your financial need may make you eligible for some programs and not
for others. For instance, you may be eligible for a scholarship but not for the Federal
Pell Grant. There are financial aid programs for which you can be considered for when
you have no financial need; the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct
Graduate PLUS Loan or Parent PLUS Loan. Please note that it is not always possible
for Fairmont State University to cover every student's full financial need and that
it is then up to the student's family either to provide personal resources or to secure
additional loans to cover the difference between costs and aid awarded.
C. Is there a maximum income level that will make me ineligible for financial aid?
No. Income level does not automatically disqualify you for financial aid. Other variables
are considered such as: family size, number of family members in college, age of older
parent, savings, investments, and various allowances to income and assets.
D. In order to receive financial aid do I have to apply every year?
Yes. In order to receive consideration for all programs you must file a Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. File the FAFSA in the month of January.
If necessary, you may estimate your taxes to complete the form.
E. What is Fairmont State's Title IV federal school code?
Our federal school code is: 003812.
F. Am I selected for verification?
Your myFairmontState account should always be the first thing you check. If you are
selected for verification, you will be able to access the documents you will need
to submit. When verification is being requested, you will receive a letter notification
directing you to the forms necessary for completing your file. All forms are available
online. Make sure all documents are received by the Financial Aid Office as soon as
possible in order to be considered for maximum financial aid. The federal FAFSA processor
does not review verification documentation; therefore, please do not submit actual
tax documents to the processor.
G. What should I do if my family's financial circumstances change after I apply for
financial aid?
If the financial circumstances in your family have changed substantially, you may
have your financial aid eligibility reviewed. Such changes may involve you or members
of your immediate family. They include but are not limited to:
- Loss of employment
- Death or disability of a family wage earner
- Divorce or separation
- Substantial reduction of current year income, loss of nontaxable income, etc.
Please contact the Financial Aid Office and speak with a financial aid counselor regarding
your circumstances. Keep in mind that a review of your current circumstances does
not guarantee any changes to your financial aid package. In some cases, a change in
your circumstances may be processed but may not result in any additional aid.
H. What is the difference between a grant, a scholarship, and a loan?
A grant is a gift. It does not have to be repaid and it is based on the student's
financial need.
A scholarship is an achievement award which is usually based on academic grades, abilities,
skills, test scores, class rank, etc.
Loans are funds borrowed by the student and/or parent. In most cases, loans must be
repaid with an interest charge and a specified repayment period.
I. Should I pay for a Scholarship Search Service?
We do not recommend the use of these companies. Many are misleading or even fraudulent.
Don't be fooled by the money back guarantee promised by many of these companies. It
is virtually impossible to get your money back. The Financial Aid Information Page provides information regarding Scholarship Scam Alerts. The services provided by
these companies can be accomplished on your own by researching scholarship publications
at the library, or by using a number of free scholarship searches available on the Internet.
J. Has my award notification been sent?
You will receive an award notification from Student Financial Aid if you are admitted
to Fairmont State University and your Financial Aid file is complete. You will not
receive an award notification if any of the following pertain to you:
- You are currently in default on previous loans
- You are not making satisfactory academic progress
- You have been selected for verification and have not returned all requested documentation.
- You have been awarded merit-based aid but have not completed a FAFSA
Incoming freshman will receive a paper award notification beginning mid-March. Upperclass
students will be notified by e-mail to check their award status on their myFairmontState
account by mid-April. Be sure to check your myFairmontState email regularly for notifications
from Financial Aid and other offices on campus. Follow instructions on Student Self
Service for any applicable acceptance of aid and necessary paperwork.
K. Do I need a separate form to apply for a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan?
No. You need only file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
L. How do my parents apply for the Parent (PLUS) Loan?
Your parents will complete an on-line application directly with the Department of
Education by logging into studentloans.gov and following the prompts for the application.
The application is not complete until your parents receive a credit acceptance or
denial.
M. How can I apply for work study?
Students must file a FAFSA before March 1 and have financial need to receive Work
Study. However, other jobs may still be available on campus through non need based
employment. Students can visit the Work Programs website for additional information.
N. What does it take to be considered an independent student?
When you apply for federal student aid, your answers to questions on the FAFSA determine
whether you are considered a dependent or independent student. To be considered an
independent student, you must meet the criteria to answer 'Yes' to at least one of
the questions listed in that part of the FAFSA. You can view those questions at the FAFSA website.
Also, the Financial Aid Office can override a student's dependent status but to do
so requires some very unusual family situations. These situations require documented
evidence from third-party witnesses (police reports, clergy, counselors, etc.). To
determine if your situation would meet the criteria for an override, contact the Financial
Aid Office and speak to a financial aid counselor.
O. What is the interest rate on my loans?
For Federal Direct loans such as the Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS and Grad
PLUS Loans as well as the Federal Perkins Loans, the interest rate information can be found online.
P. I have a credit on my bill. When and how do I get the money?
If the disbursement amount exceeds school charges, the remaining balance is issued
as a refund and checks are mailed to students' local mailing address. Students are
no longer permitted to pick up refund checks in person. Students should update their
local mailing address by logging into their FELiX account to assure their local address
is current; therefore, avoiding any delays in receiving the refund check.
Q. Why hasn't my aid posted to my Student Account?
There could be many reasons why your financial aid has not been posted to your student
account. Some of the most common items are listed below:
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) - If you are on Suspension Status, your aid will
be held until you regain eligibility or an appeal is filed and approved.
- Promissory note and other paperwork - A master promissory note and/or entrance counseling
will be needed for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. For a PLUS Loan,
both a Master Promissory Note and the application resulting in a credit check approval
have to be in place for a disbursement to occur. For you to receive a Perkins Loan,
a master promissory note must be on file.
- Entrance Counseling - First-time Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan borrowers
are required to successfully complete this online counseling to have the loan(s) disbursed.
It typically takes up to 2 business days for the results to be downloaded to our system.
- For most scholarships and some grants, students are required to maintain a full-time
status. Loan programs require at least half-time enrollment.
R. Is there any aid available if I decide to attend summer school?
For summer sessions, students may only receive remaining federal aid eligibility not
used during Fall & Spring terms (Federal Pell Grant and/or Direct Loans for students).
Funding may or may not be available for a full- or part-time job through the Federal
Work Study program. The majority of students attending Summer term, will need to seek
a private loan or have a parent qualify for the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. Graduate
or Professional students can seek a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan.
S. Why am I on Suspension Status?
All undergraduate and graduate students are monitored for Satisfactory Academic Progress
(SAP).
- Your "completion rate" reflects the ratio between the credit hours you have attempted
and the credit hours you have successfully completed. Withdrawals, failing grades,
and incompletes can affect your SAP status or eligibility for financial aid, as can
a low grade point average.
- If you do not meet the cumulative GPA and/or completion percentage requirements, you
will be suspended and notified accordingly. Students on suspended status will not
be eligible for aid.
- If you have almost reached your maximum time-frame, you will be notified. If you reach
your maximum time frame, you will be put on Suspension Status and will no longer be
eligible to receive aid.
- You can read a more detailed description of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy online. If your eligibility has been suspended, you may file an appeal with our
office if extenuating circumstances exist.
T. What is the status of my appeal?
Our goal is to have students notified of the appeal decision prior to the term beginning
for which they are appealing. Please refer to the deadline dates on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy page. The student will be sent an email notice of the appeal outcome.