Step 1. Acquire a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Step 2. Complete the FAFSA after January 1.
Step 3. Declare a major in an eligible degree or certificate program.
Step 4. Verify the information printed on your Student Aid Report (SAR).
Step 5. Check on the status of your application.
Step 6. Respond to requests for additional information promptly.
Step 7. Receive your award notification letter and activate your loan.
Step 8. Enroll for your classes.
Step 9. Buy Your Books and Supplies at the Campus Bookstore.
Step 10. Verify your mailing address.
Step 11. Cash or deposit your checks.
Step 12. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid.
Step 1. Acquire a Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- If you do not have a PIN, apply for one before completing FAFSA on the Web. Both students and parents of dependent students should obtain a PIN. Apply at http://www.pin.ed.gov/. Allow 3 to 10 days for receipt. Your PIN must be activated each award year.
- Save your PIN. You can use it to:
- Electronically “sign” your FAFSA on the Web. A PIN may serve as a student or parent signature.
- Check the status of your application.
- Inquire about student loan information through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
- Obtain/access your Renewal FAFSA in future years.
- Obtain application results more quickly.
Step 2. Complete the FAFSA after January 1.
- For faster processing, it is recommended you apply online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. You may wish to complete the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet before entering your information.
- If you use the Web version, use your PIN to electronically sign your application. If you are dependent, your parent must electronically sign, too, using their PIN. If you do not have a PIN, be sure to print, sign, and mail the signature page to the Federal Processing Center at the address listed on the signature page.
- If you use the paper version, mail your completed application to the Federal Processing Center in the envelope provided with the application. The paper form may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office located at 2nd Floor, Kirkwood Hall and at most high school guidance offices.
- The information must be clear and readable. Illegible forms create delays.
- Your social security number must be correct. This is critical.
- Be sure to include Kirkwood's Federal School Code (004076) on Step Six of the FAFSA.
- The tax information you report must be taken from the federal tax return (or the W-2 withholding form if you have not yet completed your federal tax return) unless you are not required to file. If you have not filed your income tax returns by the end of February, estimate the amounts to the best of your ability. Mail the FAFSA by March 1 to receive full consideration for all available financial aid. Applications will be processed after that date, but some funding may not be available.
- Please note that funding for applications completed after June 1 cannot be guaranteed for the beginning of the Fall term. Please do not include correspondence or tax forms when mailing this application for financial aid.
- Please complete the entire form, except for the questions you are specifically instructed to skip, if you wish to be considered for all forms of aid administered by Kirkwood.
- Review all data before you file our application. (Incorrectly completed forms delay processing.)
- You must apply for financial aid each year. No program of assistance is carried forward from year to year. Check with the Financial Aid office each December to determine when to apply.
Step 3. Declare a Major in an eligible degree or certificate program.
- A federal requirement for financial aid states that you must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program. See a counselor to declare a major (academic plan) and have it officially recorded.
- Eligible programs are found on the College’s Web site at http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=8207.
Step 4. Verify the information printed on your Student Aid Report (SAR).
- Approximately 3-4 weeks after you mail your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). If you filed over the Internet, you will receive this information electronically in 3-5 days. You may also review this information at http://www.fafsa.ed.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 (school code: 004076) has been listed so your information can be released to us.
- If Kirkwood is not listed, you should resubmit your SAR via U.S. mail, add the Federal School Code online at 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 call the ED at the number listed above.
Step 5. Check on the status of your application.
- Kirkwood’s Financial Aid Office electronically receives your financial aid information and a financial aid advisor reviews your request for financial aid. 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 Documents link on EagleNet. For an explanation of the codes listed on the My 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 6.)
- Remember, an application is considered complete when all of the applicant items have been received.
Step 6. Respond to requests for additional information promptly.
- 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 U.S. mail or to a Financial Aid Office staff member. You can find the correct address, telephone and fax number at www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=12598.
- If you misplaced a form that was sent to you, you may be able to obtain a duplicate from at www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=12605
Step 7. 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 student 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 submitting a Stafford Loan Request. 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. Check with the Financial Aid Office to be sure.
- If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study, you should contact your campus work study coordinator and select a job placement. Go here for more information: www.kirkwood.edu/workstudy
- If you are eligible for a Perkins Loan, information will be sent to you in a separate mailing.
- It is recommended you keep copies of all forms, letters, award notices and financial aid-related documents.
Step 8. Enroll for your classes.
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 9. 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 10. Verify your mailing address.
- Your residual balance (refund) 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 or contact the Enrollment Services Office at 319-398-5603.
- If you made a credit card payment, refunds may be made to your credit card.
Step 11. Cash or deposit your checks.
- Residual checks of financial aid balances 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 12. 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.
- Go here for more information: www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=12615
