Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/549096
43 APPLICATION Applying for financial aid begins with completing a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and a scholarship application. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal loans, federal work study, seminary grants and need-based scholarships, and must be completed on an annual basis. With the exception of international students and recipients of veterans educational benefits, all financial aid applicants are required to complete a FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov. Denver Seminary's federal code is 001352. Students should allow at least one week for a copy of the FAFSA to be received by the Financial Aid Office. Starting in April of each year, online award letters will be made available to students within two weeks of when the FAFSA is submitted. The FAFSA must be renewed each academic year. Scholarship Application Packet The scholarship application packet contains a scholarship guide (lists and describes every available award), a scholarship application (the form used to apply for institutional aid), and all applicable directions and details related to the scholarship application process. This form can be downloaded from the financial aid page of the website and can be completed electronically. Although applicants may apply as late as thirty days before the planned enrollment date, it should be noted that scholarships are awarded beginning in April for fall applicants (with priority given to applications received by April 1) and beginning in November for spring applicants (with priority given to applications received by November 1). Only those who have been accepted into a degree program, have completed a FAFSA, and have turned in the scholarship application will be eligible to receive scholarships and grants. While some scholarships are automatically renewed for two to three years (assuming funds are available and eligibility requirements continue to be met), most applicants will need to reapply each year for continued eligibility. Additional Steps Students who accept a student loan offer for the first time at Denver Seminary must also complete entrance counseling and a master promissory note (MPN) at www.studentloans.gov. Both documents are valid for up to ten years, and thus generally do not need to be completed again. These documents need to be completed no later than ten days prior to the start of the semester if a loan is needed to cover tuition and fees, as the student needs to have all requirements completed by the payment deadline (typically ten business days before the start of the semester). Scholarship recipients must also submit a thank you letter and picture to the Financial Aid Office each academic year that a scholarship, grant and/or tuition discount is received. Content requirements and deadlines will be linked on the student portal. AWARDING AND DISBURSING AID Scholarship Committee Starting in April for those beginning their program in the fall semester, and November for those beginning in the spring semester, the scholarship committee (made up of various departmental representatives, such as admissions, student life, and faculty) meets on a monthly basis to award grants and scholarships (tuition discounts are not competitive, and thus are awarded not by the committee but based solely on eligibility). Only applicants who completed their application by the applicable deadline (see the application section for details on deadlines) will be considered for scholarships. All applicants are notified of results via email (award recipients via an electronic award letter) by the end of the applicable