Applying for Aid

The Office of Financial Aid can help you finance your education by assisting you with the completion of forms and applications. Below are step by step instructions to assist you in applying for and receiving financial aid at Alcorn State University.

Apply for a FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. The FSA ID is for students and/or parents who would like to electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA for the current year. Remember to add the school code (002396), so that the Financial Aid Office will receive your information electronically. Once the FAFSA application is processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review this information carefully. A valid SAR will have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number (Example EFC: 00000). You can complete the FAFSA over the internet at https://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your PIN can be used each year to electronically sign your FAFSA and to access your U.S. Department of Education records online.

If your Student Aid Report (SAR) is selected for Verification – How can you tell? If your EFC has an asterisk after the end of the last number (example: EFC: 00000*) you are selected. If your SAR is selected for verification, you and your parents will have to submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript for the past tax year. If your parents did not file taxes, they must submit proof of all non-taxable income for the past year (Example: AFDC, Child Support, Social Security, etc…).
A Verification Worksheet (VWS) will also have to be completed, signed, and returned to the Office of Financial Aid before your financial aid file is reviewed for completion and awarding.

You can retrieve a Tax Return Transcript by contacting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1.800.908.9946 or visiting https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript. Note: A copy of the 1040 Tax Return will not be accepted, only the Tax Return Transcript from ITS. Tax Return Transcript is free of charge.

Verification is the process, mandated by the U. S. Department of Education under Higher Education act of 1965 and Subpart E of 34 CFR Part 668, used to check the accuracy of data submitted on the FAFSA or to confirm students’ eligibility to receive financial aid. Alcorn State University verifies all applicants selected by CPS for verification. If a student’s application is selected for verification, he/she must complete the verification process or forfeit federal student aid. Verification of required document is generally completed within one week after submission of all documents. Applicants selected for verification on notified by the Financial Aid Office.

Applicants that are selected for verification will be notified by an asterisk on their Student Aid Report (SAR) next to student’s EFC or the Office of Financial Aid will send a Request for Information or Tracking Letter sent via mail to students requiring certain documents for submission. Until the verification process is complete, no Federal Funds may be awarded or disbursed. Applicants will have to provide documents or related material requested by the Financial Aid Office within 14 days of request or by the deadline for the last day of Registration, whichever date is earlier. A student’s failure to provide the required documentation within the specified time period could result in the loss of financial aid for the semester or academic year. To ensure that all verification is complete, the Office of Financial Aid requires that all students submit documents before the University’s last day before Registration (see University calendar).

Additional Requirements – you must respond to all requests for additional documents and information. No financial aid can be awarded until all required information and documents have been received and the verification process is complete. Incomplete documents will be returned to the student.

Review Award Online at www.alcorn.edu (Select “STUDENTS” at the top of web page and BANNER Online Services). Review awards that have been offered. Award letters are subject to change, please view online for real time updates.

At least 89% of Alcorn students receive some type of financial aid. Even if you think you might not be eligible for Federal Aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) doesn’t cost anything to apply. To be considered for Federal Aid, State Aid and Institution Aid you must:

Be enrolled at ASU in a degree-seeking program.
Make satisfactory academic progress according to the Office of Student Financial Aid’s standards.
Meet FAFSA eligibility guidelines.
Meet eligibility for each type of aid program (Grants, Work-Study, Loans)

Meet State Requirements ( https://riseupms.com/ )

Meet Institutional Requirements