Idaho State University

• Academics
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Visitors

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

1. Obtain your Federal PIN....

All new students and parents of dependent students should request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) online at Pin.ed.gov. Your PIN remains the same from year to year, so keep it in a safe place and never give it to anyone. Individual PINs make it possible for the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be signed electronically making the application process faster and simpler. If you do not remember your Federal PIN - Request a Duplicate PIN for immediate display.

2. *Complete the Free Application at FAFSA.GOV

This application will consider you for the following:

• Grants:
  • Pell
  • SEOG
  • TEACH
• Loans:
  • Federal Direct Loans-Subsidized and Unsubsidized
  • Federal Perkins Loan
  • Parent Loan for Undergraduate
  • Graduate PLUS Loans
• Federal Work Study
  • On and Off campus Jobs
• Special Nonresident Tuition Waiver (SNRW)

*Items needed to complete the FAFSA

Can I be considered independent?

3. FAFSA Follow-up:

If you provide your e-mail address on the FAFSA, you'll receive an e-mail link to your processed FAFSA information on the web in approximately 2-4 weeks. Otherwise, your Student Aid report will arrive in the mail in 6-8 weeks. Review carefully. Corrections may be made using your PIN at FAFSA.ed.gov or contact the Financial Aid Office.

4. Respond Promptly

Read all communications received from the Financial Aid Office. These communication will be via e-mail with all student for whom the University has a valid e-mail address. You will be instructed to go to your BengalWeb on the "Finances" tab. In the center-top of the page you will fine any "Financial Aid Requirements". Please provide any requested documentation. Students should check their status often and respond promptly .

• Students will use BengalWeb on the Finances tab.
• See Financial Aid Requirements channel
  • Instruction for Financial Aid Requirements

5. Review Your Award

Once the award is made, the student will need to access BengalWeb Finances tab each year to actively accept their financial aid award. Notification of award will be sent by e-mail. (Once you have been admitted to Idaho State University you are given a Google e-mail account.) The award on BengalWeb will indicate the types and amounts of aid the student is eligible to receive. Review the award carefully.

To accept and authorize your financial aid, go to the My Financial Aid channel on the Finance tab of BengalWeb . Click on "Accept Financial Aid Awards" link and follow the instructions there to complete the steps.

Additional Instructions for processing Financial Aid on BengalWeb

1. Entrance Counseling at StudentLoans.gov and a
2. Master Promissory Note (MPN) at StudentLoans.gov.
   1. Parent and Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers at ISU will also need to complete the PLUS MPN for every year they are awarded the PLUS Loan.

The MPN is a promissory note that can be used to make one or more loans for one or more academic years (up to 10 years).
This is different from the PLUS Loan Application which must be submitted yearly with a credit check processed each year.

If you are receiving a Perkins loan, additional information will be sent to you by the Financial Services Office or call 282-2292.

6. Pay Fees/Refund Checks

Once a student is awarded, they will access BengalWeb to actively select disbursement options. Refund money is disbursed by the Financial Services Office at 282-3000. For additional instructions see Fee Payment and User's Guide to BengalWeb for Fee Payment.

Question about Fee Charges should be directed to the Office of Finance and Administration. Call 282-2900 or stop in at the Cashier's Office in Administration Building #10 - Main Floor.

You will get your money if ALL of the following are true...

• You completed a FAFSA for the same year you are applying for funds and determined eligible
• You have no outstanding document requests* or "Holds" on your account
  • Before aid is disbursed students with Satisfactory Academic Progress holds must have their prior semester academic records reviewed.
• If you are accepting loans for first time at ISU, you must complete the online Entrance Counseling session and Master Promissory Note for the Direct Loans.
• You have accessed BengalWeb
  • Students need to access BengalWeb to actively accept their awards and select disbursement options
• You have completed a Perkins Promissory Note and questionnaire if you were awarded and are accepting a Perkins Loan. You must also be in 6 credits to receive Perkins.
• You have been officially admitted to the university.
• You are registered for enough credits for the type of aid you will be receiving and are determined eligible for.
  • At least half-time enrollment for Direct Student Loans
    • 6 or more credits for undergraduate and applied technology students
    • 5 or more graduate credits for graduate students
  • 12 or more credits to receive the full amount of Pell Grants you qualify for
    • Pell Grants are reduced when you are enrolled in fewer than 12 credits
  • At least 12 credit for disbursement of ACG and SMART Grants and still in eligible degree.

*It takes some time to process the FAFSA information once it is received from the government. Please watch your BengalWeb Finance tab for additional documentation that may be required to award your Financial Aid.

What you will need to complete the FAFSA....

For the 2011-2012 school year you will need financial information from 2010.

You will need to refer to:

• ISU School Code 001620 (All ISU locations use this number)
• Your Social Security card
• Driver's license
• If dependent, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for parent(s) providing income information on your FAFSA.
• W-2 Forms and records of money earned in prior year
• Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) Federal Income Tax Return with schedules.
  • IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ or 1040 TeleFile
  • Foreign Tax Return, or
  • Tax Return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau
• Your Parents' Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
  • For 2011-2012 FAFSA use the 2010 Tax Return
• Your untaxed income records
  • Child support received
  • Worker's compensation
• Your current bank statements
• Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
• Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)

Dependency Questions

These questions appear in the FAFSA application
2011/2012 Dependency Status Questions

Purpose: These questions are used to determine, according to law, whether you are a dependent or an independent student for purposes of calculating an EFC. If you answer "No" to all of these questions you are a dependent student, even if you do not live with your parents. The FAA's decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

Need help? FAFSA Application assistance
is available in the Financial Aid Office.
Or call us at 208-282-2756