How to Apply For SFA Financial Aid

By Eric Goode

When students are admitted into Stephen F. Austin State University the direction they generally look is to paying for their tuition.

First, there is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each student should complete the FAFSA by April. Every student qualifies to receive financial aid. They can download an application from the website www.fafsa.org (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) “There are no limits or restrictions for applicants. The amount awarded is based on the parents or the guardians of the applicant,” said Richard Wilks, a student financial aid assistant.

After a student’s FASFA has been processed, government assistance is deducted from the e-bill and the difference in that sum is the new cost of the student’s tuition. If the price has been fully covered by the assistance and money is left over it is sent by the business office and then to the student’s P.O. box a couple of weeks after the semester has started.

However, many students don’t receive enough government assistance to just stop there in their search for financial aid. Some students have to embark upon applying for Alumni scholarships and scholarships awarded by businesses, which generally require a letter.

“The Alumni center offers a variety of scholarships from generous alumni donations. They usually require students to submit an application from their website online and write a brief essay as to why they need the scholarship. (https://sfasu.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/CMXAdmin/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=480)

Once the deadline has passed and the scholarships are awarded. Scholarship recipients are required to submit ‘thank you’ letters to the alumni who donate,” said Monique Davis, Alumni Scholarship Coordinator.

Although, all students may not qualify for scholarships at SFA they can apply for national scholarships with major corporations, such as Coca-Cola. They can also apply for local scholarships that student’s may qualify for local philanthropies like churches. They just have to send their check to the financial aid office to make sure it is credited to the current semester.

Students can also seek grants by asking their financial aid officer if they qualify. Students are strongly encouraged to ask if they qualify because they might jeopardize losing money that could cover their tuition.

“Get on a first name basis with your counselor. It is the best way to know what’s going on. Educate yourself on the different types of aid provided. Take an active role in your financial aid. Don’t let your parents do all the work. Also, realize that you will be paying your loans back so it would benefit you to know where your money is coming from,” said Wilks.

Students need to make sure they accept awards and decline loans if they don’t want to receive them via a link on their personal MySFA account (http://www.sfasu.edu/faid/acceptingawards.asp).

“Also, make sure you re-apply for FAFSA annually because based on your new income the government might change the amount of financial aid you receive. Also, if you don’t apply annually you won’t get financial aid,” said Wilks.