#GIVE2JSU

Apply for Federal Student Aid

I.  How to Apply for Federal Student Aid at Jackson State University

   Federal Title IV School Code for JSU: 002410             JSU’s Priority Deadline: April 15th of each year

  1. Create your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), which will replace the Federal Student Aid PIN number.
  2. To create your FSA ID, go to Create FSA ID.
  3. If your parent’s signature is required, both you and your parent must create a FSA ID.
  4. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.

NOTE:  Your FSA ID will allow you to electronically complete the FAFSA application online, sign it, make corrections and access other federal/state aid websites regarding your financial assistance.

II.  After completing your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).

  • The SAR contains the information reported on your FAFSA and usually includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
  • The EFC determines your family’s financial strength and your eligibility for federal student aid.
  • Review your SAR information and make any corrections or changes if required.
  • The school(s) listed on your FAFSA will receive your SAR data electronically.
  • If additional information is required to process your file, you will receive a Missing Requirements Letter from the Financial Aid Office at JSU.
  • You should respond to all requests quickly. Failure to respond in a timely manner may reduce the amount of need-based aid you may be eligible to receive.
  • When all information is received by the Financial Aid Office, it is reviewed and financial aid award(s) are determined, if eligible.
  • First time students should receive their Award Notification which includes the type of financial aid awarded, the amount and instructions for accepting and/or declining award(s) in April each year. Continuing students can view their award notices on their JSU PAWS accounts each year after June 1st.

NOTE: Applications received after JSU’s April 15th priority deadline date may not be considered for campus based programs like Federal Work Study (FWS) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) because these funds are limited.

III. How to Apply for State Programs

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grants (MTAG) and Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grants (MESG) are awarded by the Mississippi State Office of Student Financial Aid. To apply, visit RiseUPMS.com/stateaid. The deadline date for applications is September 15 of each year. However, it is recommended that you apply prior to June 1.

IV.  Special Circumstances Request Process

Sometimes a family will find that the information required on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not reflect their current circumstances and their ability to contribute to the student’s cost of education due to rare and unexpected circumstances.  When this happens, a student may choose to submit a request for Special Circumstance(s) to the Financial Aid Office to explain their current circumstances with a request that their situation be reviewed under those circumstances.  Circumstances considered, but not limited to are: (a) Income Reduction; (b) Unusual high medical and/or dental expenses NOT covered by insurance; (c) Natural Disaster; and (d) Other unusual expenses or circumstances.

To be considered for Special Circumstances, the student must do the following:

1.  Submit a written request to the Financial Aid Office detailing the special circumstance(s).

2.  Complete a Special Circumstance Form located at https://www.jsums.edu/financialaid/financial-aid-forms/.

3.  Provide all the requested information listed on the Special Circumstance Form.

The information submitted will be evaluated to determine if an adjustment can be made to represent a more realistic picture of the family’s ability to contribute to the cost of education.  Students  can monitor their JSU PAWS account for messages and updates regarding the decision.

V.  Other Tips to Remember When Applying for Financial Aid

  • You must reapply (complete/update FAFSA) for financial aid EACH YEAR.
  • Missing JSU’s priority deadline date of April 15 may limit the amount of aid you may receive.
  • You can complete the FAFSA using estimated income and tax figures. If necessary, do this rather than missing JSU’s priority deadline. Be prepared to submit your prior year(s) IRS Tax ReturnTranscript(s). To obtain a free IRS tax return transcript, log on to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) website website at www.irs.ed.gov or call 1-800-908-9946. Make sure to request the “IRS tax return transcript” and not the “IRS tax account transcript.”  If you are married and you and your spouse filed separate tax returns, you must submit tax return transcripts for both you and your spouse.
  • If you are a Dependent student, you must submit a copy of your and your parent’s prior year(s) IRS tax return transcript(s)—not photocopies of the income tax return. To obtain a free IRS tax return transcript, log on to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) at www.irs.ed.gov or call 1-800-908-9946. Make sure to request the “IRS tax return transcript” and not the “IRS tax account transcript.”  If your parents are married and filed separate tax returns, you must submit a copy of both parent’s tax return transcripts.
  • You must respond to all requests for additional documents and information.
  • No federal financial aid can be awarded until all required information and documents have been received and the verification process has been completed.
  • Make sure all documents submitted are properly signed and dated.
  • You should submit all required worksheets and documents at the same time.
  • Incomplete documents will not be processed.
  • Include the student’s name and JSU ID # (i.e. J#) on all documents.
  • Be sure that your current permanent address has been update through your JSU PAWS account and the Registrar’s Office.
  • Keep a copy of all documents related to your financial aid, promissory notes and disclosure statements.
  • Since private scholarships often require separate scholarship applications, begin researching for scholarships early.
  • The Financial Aid Office is committed to providing courteous and efficient service to our students.
  • Please ask questions if you do not understand.