Step 1. Complete the Renewal FAFSA on the Web or paper FAFSA.

• The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will send Renewal Reminders in October to students who provided an email address; a second reminder follows in February. If an email address is not provided or is returned undeliverable, a Renewal Reminder letter will be mailed. You may complete an update to your FAFSA by visiting http://www.fafsa.gov/. Before beginning, it is recommended you fill out the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet.
• You will want to provide your PIN so that you can electronically sign your FAFSA on the Web application. If you’ve forgotten your PIN, go to http://www.pin.ed.gov/ to request a duplicate. If you are completing parent income information, your parent must also provide a PIN when completing the FAFSA on the Web Renewal application.
• Be sure to include Kirkwood's Community College's Federal School Code. The code is 004076.

Step 2. Verify the information printed on your Student Aid Report (SAR).

• Approximately three to four weeks after you mail your FAFSA, you will receive a SAR from ED. If you filed your Renewal FAFSA over the Internet, you will receive this information electronically in 3 to 5 days. You may also review this information at http://www.fafsa.gov/.
• Read your SAR carefully to check for accuracy.
• Edit any incorrect information, such as estimated income, and mail your SAR to the address listed on the back of part 2 or submit the correction online.
• Make sure Kirkwood has been listed so your information can be released to us.
• If Kirkwood is not listed, you should resubmit your SAR via US mail, add the Federal School Code online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, or contact ED at 1-800-4 FED AID (1-800-433-3243). Be sure to have your SAR available if you call.
• If you do not receive a response from FAFSA within the expected time frame, you should contact ED at the number listed above.

Step 3. Check on the status of Your Application.

• Kirkwood’s One Stop Financial Aid Office electronically receives your financial aid information and a financial aid advisor reviews your request. Allow time for your application to be reviewed.
• You may check the status of your financial aid award online at https://eaglenet.kirkwood.edu/. You will have to log in to EagleNet using your "k" number and password. Click on Financial aid award letter to view your award. If no award appears, it is likely additional information is required.
• You may check to see what is still needed by clicking on the My Kirkwood Documents link on EagleNet. For an explanation of the codes listed on the My Kirkwood Documents page, click on FA Documentation Help link.
• Please note that a missing information letter will be sent to you which will include the information found on EagleNet. (See Step 4.)
• Remember, an application is considered complete when all of the applicant items are received.

Step 4. Respond to Requests for Information

• If additional information or documentation is needed to complete your application, a missing information letter will be sent to you.
• Respond to all requests as quickly as possible.
• Please include your name and social security number or "k" number on all correspondence.
• Submit information via US mail or to a One Stop Financial Aid Office staff member. You can find the correct address, telephone and fax number here.
• To download necessary forms, go here.

Step 5. Receive your award notification letter and activate your loan.

• You will receive an award notification letter informing you that your award has been calculated and you may view it on EagleNet. Once you have logged in, you may view your award letter, view your award by year, or view your award by term.
• With the award notification letter will be an informational sheet about your student aid. Read this carefully as it contains instructions you will need to activate your Stafford Loan. It also explains how awards are adjusted for less than full time enrollment.
• If you wish to activate your Stafford Loan, do so by signing a promissory note, completing the Entrance Counseling, and accepting your Stafford Loan. All three may be completed online through EagleNet. Please note that you will need your PIN to sign your promissory note online. If you have had a Stafford Loan previously, you may not be required to sign a new promissory note or complete Entrance Counseling.
• If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study, you should contact your campus work study coordinator and select a job placement. For more information, go here.
• It is recommended you keep copies of all forms, letters, award notices and financial aid-related documents.

Step 6. Enroll in Your Classes.

• You do not need to wait until you have been awarded to enroll in classes.
• Review the schedule of classes online. You can find a link to the current schedule at www.kirkwood.edu/academics
• Enroll for your classes using the EagleNet Web-Based Registration System.
• If you have not received your award notification letter, you should plan on other payment arrangements one month before the first day of classes for the semester. If you are later determined to be eligible for financial aid, your award will be paid to you as a refund.

CAUTION:In order to avoid financial responsibility, you must officially drop a class within the deadline if you decide not to attend. DO NOT assume you will be dropped automatically if you do not pay your tuition, or if you do not attend class.

Step 7. Buy Your Books and Supplies at the Campus Bookstore.

• Financial aid students may purchase books and supplies at the campus bookstore with approved financial aid. You will need to present your EagleCard and your class schedule when you go to the bookstore. You may make these purchases five days before classes begin through the last day to add or drop a class for the standard length term.
• You cannot use Federal Work-Study funds to purchase books and supplies.

Step 8. Verify Your Mail Address on EagleNet.

• Your residual balance checks are mailed to the mailing address you have on record at Kirkwood.
• If you have a change of address, update your mailing address via EagleNet.
• If you made a credit card payment, refunds may be made to your credit card.

Step 9. Cash or Deposit Your Financial Aid Refund Checks.

• Financial aid balance checks will be mailed approximately two weeks after classes begin for students who have grants or are returning borrowers. For new borrowers, federal regulations require we wait 30 days after the start of the semester before disbursing those funds to a student's account.
• Deposit checks into your bank account as soon as you receive them.
• Uncashed checks are CANCELED after 90 days.
• Verify that your refund has been generated by visiting EagleNet.

Step 10. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid.

• Be sure you are familiar with the academic standards for financial aid. Withdrawing from classes is the most frequent reason that students fail the standards. Failure to meet the standards will result in the loss of your financial aid.
• For more information, go here.