Financial Aid Deadline is Almost Here!
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 11, 2010) – Even though classes won't be in session next week, there's still an important financial aid deadline returning UK students need to remember.
Students who need financial assistance for the upcoming academic year need to take action soon.
"Funding is available from a variety of federal and state need-based scholarship, grant, loan and work programs," said Lynda George, director of student financial aid at UK. "Students must file the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov to receive consideration for these funds."
This year, there is an important change for returning students who need to apply for financial aid.
"UK’s priority filing date to receive consideration for all available funds has been moved from April 1 to March 15," said George. "This change will ensure that undergraduate Kentucky residents will meet the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority’s March 15 deadline to receive a Kentucky College Access Program (CAP) Grant if they meet the eligibility criteria."
The priority date is important for students to keep in mind.
"Students who apply after the priority filing date will be awarded assistance, but some types of assistance for which they may meet the eligibility criteria may already be exhausted," said George. "Filing by the priority filing date will help to maximize the amount of assistance a student receives."
George offers some additional advice for returning students:
· Complete the FAFSA on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible keeping the March 15 priority filing date in mind.
· If the student has not previously filed a FAFSA, a PIN is required. A PIN is also required for parents of a dependent student. Information about how to obtain a PIN is available at www.pin.ed.gov.
· If the student and/or parents have not yet completed their 2009 federal income tax returns, they should complete the FAFSA using estimated income information and update their FAFSA information at the same site as soon as their taxes are completed.
· Students with special circumstances not addressed on the FAFSA may send a written letter of explanation and documentation to the UK Office of Student Financial Aid.
Here is some additional information about financial aid for returning students at UK.
· Students who have questions about completing the FAFSA or other concerns related to qualifying for financial assistance may contact their financial aid counselor. The financial aid counselor directory is available at www.uky.edu/FinancialAid/contactus.htm.
· Information about applying for federal financial aid and the federal financial aid programs is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
· The UK Office of Student Financial Aid also offers a very limited number of need-based institutional scholarships.
· Students who do not qualify for need-based funds can borrow an unsubsidized loan from the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Completion of the FAFSA is required to be awarded an unsubsidized loan.
· More detailed information about the above procedures and programs is available on the Financial Aid Office’s website at www.uky.edu/FinancialAid.
· Some merit based scholarships are available to returning students from the Academic Scholarship Office and as well as from various UK colleges and departments. Information is available on the Academic Scholarship Office Web site at www.uky.edu/AcademicScholarships/ or from the student’s college or department.
Students who plan to enroll for the summer 2010 term(s) may qualify for financial assistance:
· Students seeking assistance to attend school in the summer must complete a short 2010 Summer Financial Aid Application available for download at www.uky.edu/FinancialAid/forms.htm.
· Students who are Federal Pell Grant recipients will have new, additional Pell Grant eligibility for the summer terms if enrolled at least half-time. Students may contact their financial aid counselor for more information.