In order for the Office of Financial Aid to process an application for aid, the following steps must be completed: 

1. Apply for a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov.  This PIN (Personal Identification Number) serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. 

2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.  The FAFSA is required for the Federal and State grant application, including PELL, SEOG, FWS, TAP, APTS, Direct Loan Program, Direct Plus Loan Program, Nursing Loan Program and Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing Scholarships Programs.

If you are a New York State resident, you will be linked from the online FAFSA to the New York TAP application or you can access the application online at http://www.tapweb.org/.

3. Check for your Student Aid Report (SAR).   If you provided an email address on your FAFSA, your SAR will be sent electronically within five days.  Without an email address, a paper SAR will be mailed to you.  Review the results for accuracy and make any corrections to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
 
4. Check periodically for materials sent to you by the Financial Aid Office.  Complete all forms and provide all information requested by the Financial Aid Office.  If requested information is not received, then your financial aid application will not be processed; therefore not eligible for any type of aid. 

Award Notifications/Loan Processes.  The Financial Aid Office will process a student award package only when a student’s file is complete and accurate, 

Students are awarded federal and state grants, and school scholarships based on eligibility and the availability of funds.  Students will be notified of awards by mail.  If a student is awarded money that he/she wishes to refuse, the Financial Aid Office should be contacted immediately.

5. Complete the Direct Loans process (You may skip this step if you do not plan to apply for loans).  If you plan to borrow a Federal Direct Loan or a PLUS loan, go to http://www.studentloans.gov/.  Students must complete the entrance counseling and an e-MPN for Direct subsidized/unsubsidized loans.  Parents must complete an e-MPN for PLUS loan.

Students who anticipate difficulties paying their tuition or financing other educational needs are encouraged to meet with the Assistant Dean and/or Senior Director of Financial Aid prior to the beginning of the semester.  Financial aid in the form of institutional scholarships, Federal Pell Grants and Federal Nursing Loans, will be applied directly to the student’s tuition account.

The Direct Loan and Plus Loan are disbursed to the School in the form of electronic fund transfer and is applied directly to the student’s tuition account.  If financial aid is in excess of tuition due, a tuition credit payment will be made to the student on a semester-by-semester basis.

Students receiving tuition credit payments can expect the awarded amounts approximately two weeks after the student’s tuition account is credited.

Financial Aid Eligibility

To determine eligibility for financial aid, the Financial Aid Officer evaluates student data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal regulations are followed to award students any aid.  All appropriate verification rules and data match issues must be resolved before awarding any aid. All records are reviewed for any conflicting data and the appropriate corrections are made to the student’s record to ensure an accurate Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).  Needs analysis and determination of eligibility for funds are performed so that the packaging of student aid will be consistent with Federal and State regulations.