Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Students seeking financial assistance should use one of two methods to apply, depending on what type of aid they are seeking:
Method 1 - Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal Application for Federal Student Aid (Renewal FAFSA). This method allows a student to apply for federal and state aid as well as the HOPE scholarship. The FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. You may sign your application electronically with your Federal Student Aid (FSA) User ID. You can acquire a FSA User ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing. The application process begins in October and you will need to re-apply for federal financial aid each year.
Method 2 - Complete the HOPE Application. Students seeking a HOPE scholarship or grant only, may apply online at http://www.gafutures.org/.
Below are tips for completing your FAFSA. For a complete explanation and instructions for each section, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. If you have questions, please call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit the Financial Aid Office.
- Download the "MyStudentAid" App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for use on mobile devices or log in online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
- A "Help and Hints" sections is available by each question of the FAFSA.
- Complete the entire application as accurately as possible, including all optional information. Omitting this information may cause delays in processing.
- List Columbus State University as a college choice. Our school code is 001561.
- Keep a copy of your tax forms, and any other documents you used to complete the form.
You may file your FAFSA for the FAFSA cycle after October 1. However, there is a priority processing date set by CSU. If your application is complete on or before the priority processing date, your request for assistance will be processed before the fee payment deadline.
A Student Aid Report (SAR) is the result of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Columbus State University will receive the electronic version of this report if our school is listed on the FAFSA. You should review your SAR at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for completeness and accuracy. You may make corrections electronically at this same website. You will need your FSA User ID to use this site. You can sign up for a FSA User ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing - please note that any change to your report may delay our response regarding your notification of eligibility for financial assistance.
If the comments on your SAR state that more information is needed to determine your eligibility for financial aid, you should make the necessary corrections electronically at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. A valid SAR is needed before aid can be determined.
After filling out your application and receiving your Student Aid Report, additional documents may be requested. All documents required for verification will be requested through your verification portal, where you can submit them. To review the required documents please log into MyCSU at https://MyCSU.columbusstate.edu, and click on Students, then click Financial Records, and then click "Verification Portal" to review missing items.
Some examples of other documents that may be requested in your Financial Aid Checklist in MyCSU are listed below:
- A copy of the birth certificate to authenticate citizenship.
- A copy of the Selective Service Registration card for verification of registration.
- A copy of the social security card to verify the correct name and number on file with the Social Security Administration.
- A copy of the resident alien card for documentation of eligible non-citizens.
To ensure that you are processed on or before the fee payment deadline date, all of your documents should be submitted before the applicable deadline dates. We recommend that you respond to any request for additional documents within 10 days. Please note that processing times vary during the peak times of the semester.
If your FAFSA was processed and we have a valid Student Aid Report (SAR) and all required documentation, you should receive an award notification by email approximately 2-3 weeks from the date we received your report, or you have completed all the requirements on your account. You must be accepted for admission to CSU for aid to be awarded.
If the type of financial aid you are requesting does not require you to complete the FAFSA, you should receive an award notification by email approximately 3-4 weeks from the date that we receive your application.
If your application was received on or before the priority processing deadline date (listed above), you will receive notification of your award on or before the fee payment deadline for the term. If you do not receive your award notification by this time, please contact our office.
You can locate your Award Letter, detailing financial aid that's been awarded to you through MyCSU. Log into your MyCSU account, click on Students tab, then Financial Records section, and then click review My Award Letter Information. Read your award notification very carefully. Contact the Financial Aid Office immediately if you have any questions regarding the type and/or amount of your award(s). If you are a dependent student and your parent(s) are interested in applying for a parent's loan, a PLUS application must be completed and returned to the Financial Aid Office for processing.
Your initial award(s) will be based on full-time enrollment for each term awarded. These are some examples that may cause your award(s) to be revised:
- Change in enrollment status
- Receipt of additional awards such as scholarships, grants, etc.
- Changes in reported financial information since your original award
- An increase or decrease in your loan eligibility
Funds awarded are first transferred to your invoice to pay institutional charges. The remaining balance is credited to your refund preference via eRefund Disbursements, no earlier than the end of the second week of classes if your application process was completed by the priority processing deadline and you early registered for classes.
All other students with aid receive their credit balance per their refund preference with eRefund Disbursements, no later than 14 days after their funds are applied to their institutional charges.
You will receive a new disclosure statement from the federal loan origination center for each new loan (before or at the time the first part of your loan is paid to you or credited to your account). This disclosure statement provides comprehensive information about the types of loans you are borrowing, the amount, your loan period and the anticipated disbursement dates.
Your bill for courses that you are enrolled in is determined by the Office of Student Accounts after you register for classes. For financial aid, we award you based on the "Cost of Attendance" determined through your FAFSA and account information. Your educational cost, or the "Cost of Attendance", is the average costs for a student based on the following information that you provided on the FAFSA:
- Whether you are a Georgia resident or non-resident.
- Where you plan to live while you are in school.
- Your dependency status as determined by federal criteria.
- Current year packaging budgets--undergraduates and graduates.
The EFC is the expected family contribution. It is an amount derived from information you provided on your FAFSA. Based on the federal needs analysis formula, the family contribution is an estimated amount that you and/or your family should be able to provide toward your educational expenses over the course of the academic year. However, please note that this amount is not a posted bill, or expected payment amount for your family. We use this number to determine need for other aid.
Your EFC is based on the following information you provided on your FAFSA:
- Your family's income and assets.
- The number of people enrolled in college in your household.
- Number of people in household.
Your financial need is the amount remaining after applying your expected family contribution to your cost of attendance.
Cost of Attendance
- Family Contribution (EFC)
= Financial Need
Your need will be met through:
- Financial aid in the form of grants, federal work study and/or loans.
- Scholarships (from CSU or outside sources).
- Student Employment (like FWS)
- Outside sources (such as 529 plan or savings).
- Current Family income.
If you feel that you have extenuating circumstances, consult your Financial Aid Counselor. If you qualify for any adjustments to your educational costs, your student/parent contribution, or your dependency status, you will be notified of any adjustments/changes.
Please note that, in general, the following are not considered extenuating circumstances:
- A parent refusing to provide data.
- A student who does not want to ask parents for information.
- A student who is and has been on "his or her own" for several years.
- A student who does not communicate with parents.
- A student who is divorced at the time of the application and does not meet one of the current definitions of independency for the aid year.
- Voluntary resignation or reduction of hours.
Some reasons your funding may not be accessible on the first day of classes:
- Late admissions
- Late in completing your financial aid application (Be aware of the deadlines)
- Missing documents
- Enrollment changes
- Information that you are in default on a student loan or owe a repayment to any Title IV financial aid program.
Financial aid funds awarded are first used to pay institutional charges. Financial aid in excess of institutional charges is first released to the student's selected refund preference via eRefund Disbursements, at the end of the second week of the term. After the second week of the term, these funds are released no later than 14 days from the day the excess balance occurred.
If this is your first loan, you must complete the following 2 steps to finalize processing of an educational loan: Entrance Loan Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Fees will be recalculated and appropriate adjustments made for students who register and then find it necessary to drop a course before the end of the schedule change period. No refund will be made for a reduction in credit hours after the schedule change period. Students who formally withdraw from the university before the official first day of the semester will be entitled to a complete (100%) refund of all registration fees. Students withdrawing from all courses after the official first day of the semester will be entitled to a prorated refund of tuition, fees and elective charges. The proportion refundable is determined by the date of withdrawal and is equal to that portion of the period of enrollment for which the student has been charged that remains on the last day of attendance, up to the 60 percent point in time of the semester. Specific dates reflecting the above refund schedule are published each semester in the Schedule of Courses.
All students receiving financial assistance who formally withdraw or who stop attending all classes are subject to regulations regarding the return of funds to the appropriate aid program.
Refunds are applied in the following order:
- Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan
- Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan
- Perkins Loan
- Direct PLUS Loan
- Pell Grant
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Other Title IV programs
- HOPE Scholarship
- Other non-Title IV programs
NOTE: The student must return unearned aid for which he/she is responsible by repaying funds to the applicable aid program.
The following steps are performed in refund determination:
Step 1. Determine the student's Title IV aid and HOPE for the term
Step 2. Calculate the percentage of Title IV aid and HOPE earned
Step 3. Determine the amount of Title IV aid and HOPE earned by the student
Step 4. Determine the total Title IV aid and HOPE to be returned
Step 5. Determine the amount of unearned Title IV aid and HOPE due from the school
Step 6. Determine the amount of unearned Title IV aid and HOPE due from the student
If a student passes a course with a grade higher than an "F" and wishes to retake it at Columbus State University or by transfer of credit for a better grade, they may repeat the course ONE time and receive federal financial aid funds for it as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements, including the school's SAP policy.
If a student fails a course they may repeat the course at Columbus State University or by transfer of credits and receive federal financial aid funds for it until they receive a passing grade (D or above) and as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements, including the school's SAP policy.
