Your first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using either of these two options:
Obtain the printed version from your local high school, public library and University locations, including all schools and colleges.
- Complete the FAFSA on the Web (an online version) from your own computer by accessing www.fafsa.ed.gov or at one of the open computer laboratories which are located on the first floor of the library, NCF 205, and Xavier South 402A. Be sure to check for accuracy before you submit your form to the Central Processor.
If you are filing on the web for the first time, you must provide all of the information required on the printed FAFSA form. After you complete the on-line form and check it for accuracy, be sure to PRINT your signature page before submitting your information to the Central Processor. You must also mail your signature page to the Central Processor. The address is listed on the page.
Deadlines
Observe these priority deadlines to improve your chances of receiving a greater amount of gift assistance.
New students:
If you will be a new student beginning in fall semester, you are strongly encouraged to have your FAFSA in the mail to the central processor by the priority deadline of February 15th.
Continuing students:
If you are a returning student, the priority deadline for submitting your FAFSA is March 15th.
Apply early, but not before January 1st of every year
You do not need to be admitted to the University before you submit your FAFSA application. However, your Financial Aid eligibility will not be assessed until you have been accepted by the University into an eligible program. If you apply for Financial Aid by the priority deadline, you may qualify for a greater amount of gift assistance.
Meet the Deadlines!
When you complete the printed FAFSA, do not send or bring your application to Xavier University. Mail your FAFSA in the preaddressed envelope. Before you seal the envelope, make sure that you (and your parent, if you are a dependent student) have signed the application and that you make a copy of the application for your records. The central processor must receive your application no earlier than January 1st when you are applying for the academic year (fall and spring). The results of your application will be sent to Xavier University.
Apply for housing now!
Do not delay your application for on-campus housing because you have not heard from the Financial Aid Office. Only freshman students who apply by April 1st are guaranteed on-campus housing. All other students are advised to submit a housing application as early as possible. Contact the Office of Housing & Residence Life to obtain an application.
Your FAFSA Information is Analyzed
Approximately four weeks from the date you transmit your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that compiles the information you reported on your FAFSA. If you do not receive your SAR, call the federal processor. You will be assigned a personal identification number (PIN) that you can use to view your FAFSA information online. You should immediately review all information on your SAR for accuracy. Do not make any changes without talking to a Financial Aid Representative. Do not submit the SAR to the Office of Financial Aid; keep it for your records.
What is a PIN?
The PIN serves as your identification code to access your personal information in various Department of Education (ED) Systems. It is like the personal identification number that you get from your bank that enables you to access your account. Your PIN serves as an electronic signature. Once you successfully complete your request, ED will mail your PIN to you. It will take approximately 7-10 days to receive your pin in the mail. When you use your PIN, you must type it exactly as it appears on the letter you receive in the mail.
You can use your PIN at the following Department of Education websites:
- FAFSA on the web
- The National Student Loan Data System Website
- Direct Loan Origination Website
- The Direct Loan Servicing Website
- The Direct Loan Consolidation Website
You will find more on the PINs at www.pin.ed.gov.
Application Information is Sent to the University Within Six Weeks
A financial aid record is created for you when your application is transferred electronically to our office. Your file will be reviewed for accuracy and completeness, including:
- admission to an eligible degree or a certificate program
- birth date
- social security number
- loan history
- academic transcripts
- financial aid history from the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
- Selective Service registration
- INS (Immigration & Naturalization Service) documentation
Requests for Additional Information.
If additional information is required, we will send you a letter specifying what documentation is needed. Your application will be on hold, and financial aid will not be awarded until all of the requested information is received in our office.
Selection for the Federal Verification Process
Your application may be selected at random for review as part of the Federal verification process. The University is required by the Federal Government to screen a sampling of applications to ensure that aid delivery is completed accurately, expediently, and with integrity. You may be required to provide additional documentation, such as Federal tax returns and W-2 forms. Use income records for the calendar year before the academic year for which you are applying for aid. For example, use 2004 Federal Tax returns and W-2 forms to complete the 2005-2006 FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, you will not be awarded financial aid until all of the requested documentation is received and reviewed. The Office of Financial Aid must receive your documents by the last date of eligible enrollment or the date that corresponds with your last term of enrollment, whichever comes first:
Fall 2006 semester - December 17, 2006 Spring 2007 semester - May 13, 2007
Notification of Award Changes
If any changes to your financial aid package occur because of the verification process, the Office of Financial Aid will send you a revised Financial Aid Award Notice, which will detail the new award amounts. This revision supersedes all previous award notifications for this award year.
Apply Every Year
You must file a new FAFSA every year. After the first year of filing, whether with a printed form or by using FAFSA on the Web 
(http://www.fafsa.ed.gov), you may be able to file a renewal FAFSA for each additional year. Renewal application information will be mailed to the address you originally listed on your 2004-2005 or 2005-2006 FAFSA. You cannot change the original address on the renewal application, and federal mail will not be forwarded. Therefore, if your address has changed you must submit a new FAFSA. The Central Processor mails renewal applications during the months of December and January.
If you filed your application for the previous year via the Web, you must request your Electronic Access Code (EAC) at http:www.eac.ed.gov/ before filing your renewal application on-line. Your EAC is mailed to the address originally listed on your 2004-2005 FAFSA within 7 to 10 days. After at least three business days you may call 1-800-801-0576 to check the status of your application.
Take Time to Complete an Error-Free Application
Read the FAFSA instructions carefully to assure that you understand what information is requested. Each item must be completed. An incomplete form will delay processing of your financial aid. Report information that is accurate at the time that you complete the application. Report your name and your social security number on the FAFSA exactly as they appear on your social security card.
Provide the Correct Federal School Code Number
You must correctly identify Xavier University on the FAFSA as an institution that you plan to attend in order to ensure that the results are sent to us. Use the following federal code,
002032, for all Xavier University schools, including college of pharmacy and Graduate School.
Apply Separately for Most Scholarships
In addition to completing the FAFSA, most scholarship programs require a separate application, letters of recommendation, and possibly, an interview. All continuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional students should contact the Dean’s office of your school or college for information on scholarship eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Communicate in a Thorough and Timely Manner
- Respond immediately to all correspondence from the University.
- Check your email for messages regarding your student account or aid status.
- Always include your social security number and student identification number on all correspondence and telephone messages.
- Contact a Financial Aid Officer to answer questions or provide additional information.
- Keep the University informed of your current name and address at all times!
