WHERE TO START 1
APPLY FOR ADMISSION to USF online at usiouxfalls.edu/admissions. Financial aid offers cannot be made until you are accepted. This serves as your application for most USF scholarships as well. For those requiring a separate application, continue to Step 2.
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APPLY FOR FSA ID. You and at least one parent or guardian should
apply for a Federal Student Aid ID at fsaid.ed.gov. Your FSA ID will serve as your electronic signature online.
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COMPLETE THE FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1. Include the USF school code (003469). It is important to remember that USF has a priority filing date of March 1 for the FAFSA.
GRANT: A grant is free money! Grants are gifts awarded to qualifying students who demonstrate financial need. Grants do not require repayment. SCHOLARSHIP: A scholarship is free money! Scholarships are gifts awarded to students based on qualifying factors. Students can apply for USF scholarships, as well as outside scholarships, to help cover the costs of college. Scholarships do not require repayment. FEDERAL WORK-STUDY: On-campus work opportunities are made available to students who demonstrate financial need. Students can use paychecks to help cover expenses. LOANS: A variety of low-interest federal and private loans are available to students and families, and repayment is required. However, payments are not required during college. FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY: The amount of aid students qualify for is based on their families’ financial need and their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This takes into account income, assets, number of dependents and other financial information. FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE: Students’ financial aid packages consist of a combination of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study in which they qualify from the federal government, USF and other outside programs. INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID: Funding in the form of scholarships and grants, offered exclusively through USF to full-time students, constitutes institutional financial aid. Students pursuing athletic scholarships should contact coaches directly. Students who qualify for athletic scholarships are not eligible for additional USF aid except academic scholarships, if applicable.
COMPLETE VERIFICATION PROCESS. Of students, 30% are selected by the Department of Education for Verification. This process requires that we check your FAFSA for accuracy and completeness. If you are selected, we will notify you by mail about the documents you will need to provide our office. Submit the required documents as soon as possible to keep from delaying your Financial Aid Package.
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COMPLETE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS as soon as you’re accepted for admission. Check out the complete list of scholarships, criteria, applications and deadlines at usiouxfalls.edu/scholarships.
FINANCIAL AID TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE. Starting in early March, once you’ve completed the above steps, a Financial Aid Package will be sent to your home. Then, you can investigate outside sources for scholarships and assistance from your community, high school or church.
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