APPLYING FOR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

INSTRUCTIONS

 

STEP 1: PIN NUMBER

  • Have you applied for a PIN number for both yourself and your parent?
    What is a PIN number? A PIN number is a number/electronic signature that is assigned to you by the government. You will use your PIN number to electronically sign your Fafsa application. You can each apply for a PIN number by going to WWW.PIN.ED.GOV

Please note: Dependent students must have their FAFSA applications signed by both themselves and a parent.  In these circumstances, both the student and parent must apply for their own PIN numbers.

  • Have you lost your PIN number and need to recover it?
    If you have lost your PIN number, you can request a duplicate PIN number by going to the above website and click on Request A Duplicate PIN link on the left hand side of the webpage and follow the instructions.
  • Please have these documents ready for STEP 2:
    • Parent’s Federal Tax Documents (for the previous year)
    • Student’s Federal Tax Documents (for the previous year)
    • Your Social Security Number and your parent’s Social Security numbers if you are providing parent information.
    • Your driver’s license if you have one.

       

STEP 2: FAFSA:

  • Have you applied for Federal Aid (Fafsa)?
    You can fill out the application online by going to WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV The federal school code for Life Pacific College is 016029. Remember to fill out the application as early as possible in order to give our office the proper amount of time to process your aid.

Please note that the earlier you apply for Federal Aid, the better it will benefit you by helping you understand what financial aid you will receive and helping you plan for the upcoming school year.

It can take two to four weeks for your Fafsa application to be processed if you file electronically. You will receive a copy of your FAFSA and its called a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR summarizes the information you submitted on the FAFSA. If you do not receive the SAR report within a reasonable amount of time, please call the federal processor at 1-800-4Fed-Aid. Review the SAR report carefully for errors. If necessary, please promptly make corrections.

  • BEING SELECTED FOR VERIFICATION AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO YOU.
    If your financial aid application is selected for verification by the Federal government, the school will require you to submit additional documentation, such as signed copies of your tax returns, W-2 and 1099 forms and Social Security (SSA form if that applies to you). The financial aid office will contact you if this is necessary.

    If you are selected for verification, these are the documents that you must be prepared to provide for the Financial Aid Office:
      • A copy of parent’s Federal Tax documents (with their signatures on page 2, for dependent students only).
      • All copies of parent’s W-2 forms
      • A copy of student’s Federal Tax documents (with their signatures on page 2)
      • All copies of student’s W-2 forms
      • Federal Verification Worksheet Form (provided by the school or you can download it by going to the Forms link on the left).

      Please contact the Financial Aid Office to see whether you need a Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet.

*Important note: If you are notified that you have been selected, please send these documents to us as early as possible so our office can have the proper time to review these documents and process your aid in a timely manner.  This process can take up to 4 weeks for reviewing of documentation and processing, so the sooner we receive all of the requested documents, the quicker we can have your aid processed to assist you in your financial planning for the upcoming school year.

DO NOT APPLY FOR LOANS UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO DO SO BY THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE!

READ ALL THE INFORMATION UNDER STEP 3 BEFORE APPLYING FOR YOU LOAN.

 

STEP 3: APPLYING FOR DIRECT FEDERAL LOANS:

   

 

APPLYING FOR DIRECT FEDERAL LOANS

WWW.STUDENTLOANS.GOV

 

To apply for a Direct Subsidized Loan, Unsubsidized Loan and/or Graduate PLUS Loans or any Direct PLUS Loans you will need to log onto www.studentloans.gov.  Before you begin, look at the Learn More box and select the "What you need for Direct Loans" button to find out what is needed before you begin your loan application.

 

You will need your U.S. Department of Education PIN number (same one used to sign your FAFSA) in order to access this site and work through your application process.  If you need to establish a PIN number or retrieve your PIN number, you can visit the www.pin.ed.gov PIN site.  You can also access this directly from the www.studentloans.gov site.

 

 Green Sign In Button:

If you do not see the green sign in button on the home page, you may need to download some information.  To view the student loan web site effectively, you will need one of the following supported browsers from either Microsoft or Mozilla.

                            For Windows:                                                                       For Apple Macintosh:

                            Get MS Internet Explorer                                                        Get MS Internet Explorer

                            Get Firefox                                                                              Get Firefox

 

If you are using a browser that is not supported, your view and interaction with the student loan may be significantly impaired.

 

To view or print a completed Master Promissory Note (MPN), you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

 

 

STUDENT DIRECT FEDERAL LOANS:

 

 

DIRECT SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS:

Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal regulations. No interest is charged while a student is in school at least half-time, during the grace period and during deferment periods.  Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not based on financial need; interest is charged during all periods.

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED / Student Information:

1. Will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

  • MPN must be completed in a single session, be sure you allow enough time to complete.

2. Your Federal Student Aid PIN.

  • If you do not have a Federal Student Aid PIN, please visit the PIN site.

3. Personal Information.

  • Permanent Address (do not use the school's address)
  • Mailing Address (if different from permanent address)
  • Telephone Number
  • Email Address

4. Employer Information (if applicable)

  • Employer Name
  • Employer Address

5. School Name.

  • Life Pacific College

6. Reference information for two people you have known for at least 3 years.  The first reference should be a parent or a legal guardian.

  • Reference Names
  • Reference Addresses
  • Reference Telephone Number
  • Reference Relationship to student

 

 

 

LOAN ENTRANCE COUNSELING

 

ENTRANCE COUNSELING:

When you are logged into the student loan site, you will also be able to complete entrance counseling by selecting "Complete Entrance Counseling".  Follow all the steps until you have completely finished the session and have taken your quiz.

 

Entrance Counseling will walk you through the Direct Loan process and explain your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.  All the first time Direct Loan borrowers must complete entrance counselling before thier loans can be disbursed.

 

In this process, you will learn about the following:

  • Direct Loans
  • Managing your educational expenses
  • Other financial resources to consider that may help pay for your education
  • Your rights and responsibilities as a borrower

 

 

PARENT LOANS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

 

DIRECT PLUS LOANS:

Direct Plus Loans are low-interest loans for the parents of dependent students and for graduate/professional degree students.  Interest is charged during all periods. 

 

WHAT YOU NEED / Parent Information for PLUS Loans:

1. Your Federal Student Aid PIN.

  • If you do not have a Federal Student Aid PIN, please visit the PIN site.

2. Personal Information.

  • Permanent Address
  • Mailing Address (if different from permanant address)
  • Telephone Number
  • Email Address
  • Alien Registration Number (if you are an eligible non-citizen)

3. Employer Information.

  • Employer Name
  • Employer Address

4. School Name.

  • Life Pacific College

5. Student Information.

  • Student first name, middle initial and last name
  • Student social security number
  • Student date of birth
  • Student Address
  • Student Telephone Number

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER AID

CAL GRANT:

  • Have you applied for state financial aid?
    • If you are a California resident then you can apply for a CAL GRANT.  For more information please call the Cal Grant offices at 1-888-CAGRANT or go online at www.csac.ed.gov.  
    • If you are not a California resident, then please look at your state website to see what is available.

PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS:

  • Have you researched and applied for private scholarships? 
    Remember to look at scholarships deadline dates and to understand the qualifications you need in order to obtain funds that you won’t have to repay.

  • If you would like to research a list of recommended scholarships you can go to this link (Outside Scholarships)