[ Financial Aid ]

How to Apply

For Financial Aid

Before Applying  
File the FAFSA 
Apply Early
Early Estimate Service
Correcting Mistakes and Making Changes
How Your Application Is Processed
Financial Aid Awards
Verification
Special Student Circumstances
Study Off-campus and Abroad 
Veterans Benefits
Crediting Your Account 
Office of Student Accounts
Forms
Contact Us

Elmhurst College recognizes that the cost of a college education often is greater than a student's resources. The College offers a variety of financial aid programs, including need and merit based scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment. Among students entering the College last fall, about 87 percent received some form of financial assistance. Admission decisions are made independently from any consideration of financial need.

Before Applying
Elmhurst College strongly encourages every student to apply for financial aid. Students will not know if they qualify for financial aid unless they apply.
 
Application is made by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov Students may file the FAFSA after January 1 for the following academic year. 

A student will need a PIN number to file the FAFSA online. Apply for a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov  Both student and one parent will need a PIN number. This will serve as an electronic signature on the FAFSA. A real time PIN number can also be obtained while completing the FAFSA.

Information needed for the FAFSA includes: federal income tax information from 2008 (if applying for the 2009-10 academic year) student's social security number and birthdate, and parent's social security numbers and birthdates.
It is recommeded that completed income tax forms be used to complete the FAFSA.

A FAFSA on the web worksheet is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov This worksheet lists all of the questions contained on the FAFSA. Printing out and completing the FAFSA worksheet is a good way to eliminate mistakes when filing the FAFSA.
In addition, much helpful information about filing can be found on the FAFSA website www.fafsa.ed.gov

BACK TO TOP

File the FAFSA 
Fill out the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, and preferably before April 15. The FAFSA is a financial aid application prepared by the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college sponsored aid. It is used by colleges and universites in the United States.

The FAFSA can be filed electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov  Over 98% of applicants choose to file online. It is the fastest and most accurate method of filing the FAFSA. Built in edits and lots of helpful information are included in the online FAFSA application. It is recommended that students/parents complete their 2008 federal income tax forms before completing the FAFSA, as many questions on the FAFSA reference specific lines of the income tax forms. 

For more information on how to complete the FAFSA, please view the Student's Guide to the FAFSA. This presentation goes though the FAFSA process step by step. Please be aware that this is an informational aid and it is not the actual FAFSA.

Students may obtain a paper FAFSA by calling 1-800-433-3243 or print out a PDF copy of the FAFSA at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. It is highly recommended that students file the FAFSA online.

When completing the FAFSA, be sure to include the Elmhurst College school code number — 001676. Student(and parent) will sign the FAFSA by using their PIN number(s). Students should be sure to submit the FAFSA information, and print out and keep a copy of the submitted information for their records. Students must file the FAFSA each academic year.

BACK TO TOP

Apply Early
Financial aid funding is valuable and limited. Students who file the FAFSA after April 15 will be considered for aid awards if funds are still available.
Entering freshmen who apply for admission by January 15 are considered for academic scholarships. The College notifies recipients upon admission to the College. 
Transfer students who apply for admission by March 15 also are considered for academic scholarships. The College notifies recipients at the time of admission to the College.

BACK TO TOP

Early Estimate Service
Elmhurst cannot provide financial aid award notices until students are admitted to the College and they file the FAFSA. However, our Early Estimate Service provides applicants with an estimate of their aid eligibility. The early estimate is completed by printing and completing  this form and mailing it to the Office of Financial Aid. The service is available from October 1 to January 31.

BACK TO TOP

Correcting Mistakes and Making Changes
If a mistake is made in completing the FAFSA notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing of the change. We can make these changes electronically. Students who file the FAFSA online can make corrections online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

If the student did not include the Elmhurst College school code on the online FAFSA , the student should go back to the FAFSA on the Web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov and add the Elmhurst college school code (001676). If the student filed a paper FAFSA, contact the Office of Financial Aid for assistance in making corrections. 

BACK TO TOP

How Your Application Is Processed
After a FAFSA is filed, the Federal Student Aid Processor analyzes the information provided and produces a Student Aid Report for that student. The processor will send notification via email that the student can go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to view the Student Aid Report (SAR). The student should check the accuracy of the SAR and make corrections if necessary.  The student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated from information the student provided on the FAFSA and is listed on the SAR. If a student filed a paper FAFSA. a paper SAR will be mailed ot the student.

If the Elmhurst College school code (001676) was included on the student's FAFSA, the processor will also send an electronic record of this analysis to the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid uses this analysis, in conjunction with other information, to determine a student's financial aid award.

The student can call the toll-free service of the Department of Education at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) with questions about their FAFSA.  For more information on the FAFSA and federal student aid students may go to the Federal Student Aid website www.studentaid.ed.gov.

BACK TO TOP

Financial Aid Awards
New students who receive aid will receive an "Award Notice." An award notice lists the combination of different types of financial aid used to meet a student's need. Typical aid awards may include grants, scholarships, loans, and federal work study. The amounts and types of financial aid included in the award are based on both the student's need and academic record.

Students must be admitted to the College to receive an award notice. New student award notices are mailed out starting in late February.  Continuing students will receive an email notifying them to check BlueNet to view their award notice online after April 1. The Office of Financial Aid will determine what grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study the student is eligible to receive. New students will be sent two award notices. Students should keep one copy for their files and on the other copy, check off which awards they wish to acccept, sign and return the award notice  to the Office of Financial Aid.

BACK TO TOP

Verification
The files of about 35 percent of students who file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid are randomly selected for verification by the Federal Processor. If your file is selected, you will be required to supply the College with the paperwork necessary to verify the information submitted on the FAFSA. In most cases, students are asked to submit copies of their own and their parents' federal income tax returns. The student will recieve a written request for information from the Office of Financial Aid if anything is required. The student's financial aid award can not be applied to the student's account until all requested materials are received and verification has been completed.

BACK TO TOP

Special Student Circumstances
A serious illness or unusual financial hardship are examples of special circumstances that may have serious financial impact on a student. If a student believes their circumstances qualify, inform the Office of Financial Aid. The student should complete a Special Circumstances form or write a letter of appeal to the Director of Financial Aid describing the situation, or both.

BACK TO TOP

Study Off-campus and Abroad
Additional financial aid consideration may be given to students taking International or other off-campus courses. A student should submit a Study Away Scholarships and Grants Common Application to the Center for Professional Excellence as soon as academic plans are finalized. For consideration for need based loans, a FAFSA must be on file.

Veterans Benefits
The Office of Financial Aid participates in all applicable federal programs for veterans, servicepersons and their dependents. We encourage all persons who are potentially eligible for these benefits to apply. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or other agency, as appropriate, makes the final determination of eligibilty. For more information on veteran eligibility for educational benefits, please visit the VA website. You must be a degree seeking student in order to receive these education benefits. Elmhurst College does not participate in the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG). IVG is only available at Illinois public institutions. For more information about enrollment certification for VA benefits at Elmhurst College, please contact the Veterans Certifying Official at (630)617-3079.

Individuals who served at least 90 days of active duty after September 10, 2001 (or 30 continuous days before a disability discharge) may be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. The following outlines the basic criteria of these programs, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs for training pursued after August 1, 2009.  For more information see the GI Bill website.

Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits (Chapter 33)
Eligible veterans may receive the following educational benefits:
Tuition and fees- equivalent to the highest amount of tuition and fees charged for full-time, undergraduate training at a public four year institution in Illinois (determined by the State Approving Agency)
Monthly Housing Allowance- paid by the VA, based on the Basic Allowance for Housing.
Stipend for books and supplies- up to $1,000 per year.

Yellow Ribbon Program
The Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) also includes a provision that a school may voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to pay some of the tuition and fees charged that are not covered under Chapter 33.
-The VA will match each additional dollar funded by the school.
-The combined amounts may not exceed the full cost of the school's tuition and fees charged.
Only individuals entitled to the 100 percent benefit rate (based on service of 36 months or more)may receive funding from Yellow Ribbon. Elmhurst College will participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. More information and updates to the program will be posted on the GI Bill website.


Crediting Your Account
All admitted and pre-registered students have a student account. Once approved, all types of aid, except earnings from a campus job, are posted to your student account. In the event that a studen's grant(s), scholarship(s), and loan(s) exceed thier billed tuition and fees, the student may receive a refund of the difference. The student can also authorize the Office of Student Accounts to allow the credit to remain on the account.  For more information, please call the Office of Student Accounts at (630)617-3015.

BACK TO TOP

Office of Student Accounts
The functions of the Office of Student Accounts and the Office of Financial Aid are separate and distinct. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility for aid and informs Student Accounts (via electronic posting) of each student's confirmed aid. The Office of Student Accounts sends bills and issues refunds.

BACK TO TOP

Forms
Many Elmhurst College forms can be obtained online at our Important Forms link. In addition, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is also available online.

BACK TO TOP

Contact us
You can send an email message to the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@elmhurst.edu. You can also call the Office of Financial Aid at (630)617-3075. The office is located in Goebel Hall. Office hours are Monday - Thursday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.  The office fax number is (630)617-5188.