OIT recommends that all students apply for financial aid. The form is very easy to use, it's free, and, even if you only qualify for a student loan to help fund the cost of education, this is where you start.

OIT has a priority deadline of February 1st, for the 2007-2008 and the 2008-2009 award year. In order to be considered in the Priority Pool, your FAFSA must be completely processed (with a valid efc) by the federal processor by February 1, in order for us to determine your eligibility for Perkins Loan, Work Study, and other grant programs. Therefore, we recommend that you file your FAFSA electronically, no later than January 15th to ensure timely filing.

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) paper form, available from high schools and colleges
• FAFSA on the WEB: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Which way is better?

If you are familiar with computers, choose the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA on the WEB. The advantages of filing on the WEB are:

• FAFSA's are processed much quicker at the Central Processing Services (CPS)
• lower chance of errors (0.2% vs 12% with paper FAFSAs!)

Make sure you have a PIN Number for yourself and/or parents www.pin.ed.gov

If you are not familiar with computers, the paper version is best.

Paper FAFSA and Renewal FAFSA

• Make sure you list OIT (003211) as a school choice--if you are filing a renewal FAFSA, make sure you fill in that bubble!
• Make a copy of your FAFSA prior to mailing for your records.
• We recommend mailing in the postcard that is included with the FAFSA booklet. The CPS will date stamp it and return it to you--that's your proof you filed!
• OIT has a priority deadline of February 1st, for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 award year. In order to be considered in the Priority Pool, your FAFSA must be completely processed (with a valid efc) by the federal processor.
• Use estimated information if you and/or your parents have not yet filed your federal taxes in order to make the priority deadline.
• Remember to double check all of your information before sending to avoid mistakes and delay.
  

WEB Filers

• FAFSA is Free, don't pay to file it.
• Remember to electronically sign your FAFSA with you/and or your parents PIN number or print the signature page. If you are filing as a dependent, your parents must complete the signature page also. The CPS won't process your FAFSA without the necessary signatures.
• Make sure you get the conformation screen with a confirmation number--this should be the last thing you see before you log off. If you don't see this information, the CPS does not have your FAFSA!
• Use estimated information if you and/or your parents have not yet filed in order to make the priority deadline.