APPLYING FOR FEDERAL AID

Follow these steps:

1. Complete/submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. Review/correct your Student Aid Report (SAR)
3. Southeast will determine your aid eligibility
4. Review/complete/return your financial aid paperwork

STEP 1: Complete/Submit the FAFSA

Southeast’s Priority Financial Aid Deadline: MARCH 1

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine your eligibility for all federal aid programs, most state aid programs and many Southeast programs.  (Some state and Southeast programs may require additional applications, essays, interviews, etc.)

The FAFSA can be completed as early as January 1 for the following fall semester and is good for one academic year.  The fastest way to submit your application is through the web at FAFSA on the Web.  You will find it useful to have the following documentation available when completing your FAFSA:

• Driver’s license and social security card;
• W-2’s and other records of money earned;
• Completed Federal Income Tax Returns- we strongly encourage you to use completed tax returns to ensure a more accurate financial aid package and to prevent unnecessary delays, so try to have your federal tax return completed by February 14 to meet our March 1 deadline;
• Records of untaxed income (i.e. TANF, social security, child support, veterans benefits, etc); and 
• Current financial statements including checking, savings, business, farm, and investments.

STEP 2: Review/Correct Your Student Aid Report

Once your FAFSA is processed, the U.S. Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR).  If you provided an e-mail address on the FAFSA, the SAR will be sent to this address.  If you have a spam filter, you may need to check your bulk e-mail for correspondence from the federal government.

Review all information for accuracy.  Make necessary corrections electronically.  If this is not possible, please contact Student Financial Services at (573) 651-2253.

STEP 3: Southeast will Determine Your Aid Eligibility

The U.S. Department of Education uses the information from the FAFSA to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

The results of your FAFSA are sent to the schools listed and to your state of permanent residence.  This allows the school and the state to determine your initial eligibility for financial aid.  For some programs, such as the Federal Pell Grant, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the sole determinant for initial eligibility.  For most programs, your financial need is the determining factor. 

The Financial Need Calculation:

  COA (Cost of Attendance)
- EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
________________________________

     Financial Need

Your Southeast Cost of Attendance includes an average cost for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses and transportation.

STEP 4: Review/complete/return your financial aid paperwork

Once your financial aid eligibility is determined, you will receive an award letter.   Southeast begins sending award letters in late-March (to coincide with the release of state aid award notification).  Although Southeast sends as accurate an award as possible, your aid eligibility may change if you enroll less than full-time or if you receive other aid.  It is imperative that you notify Student Financial Services of any additional aid (scholarships, grants, tuition reimbursements, etc.) you will be receiving as soon as possible.

Your aid will be processed and prepared for payment once you sign and return the award letter (and other required documents, such as loan applications).

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