February 14, 2007
Applying for Financial Aid Should Start Now

The month of February is Financial Aid Awareness Month and Northeastern Technical College is reminding any students who are planning to apply for financial aid to enroll in the summer or fall semester at Northeastern Technical College should act soon. 

“It’s important to start this process immediately,” said Sheryll Marshall, coordinator of financial assistance at NETC.  “Not only are students more likely to get the money they need, this also better ensures they can start their education on time.”

Marshall explained that the steps to apply are fairly simple; it just takes a little time and effort to follow through with the process.  But once students have completed the application and submitted the appropriate forms, the most difficult part of the process is complete.

“It’s very easy to do,” she said. “First, you choose to submit your application through the mail or on the web.  Next you fill out the application and then you submit it.  If you have the information you need, the process takes less than 30 minutes.”

Students will need to have a copy of their 2006 federal tax return and W2 forms.  This information will be used to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine eligibility.  Students planning to enroll this summer  and need financial aid must have their 2005 tax documents.
 
To begin the application process, NETC’s office of student financial assistance offers the following steps:
  
Those who are interested in financial assistance must submit the FAFSA either electronically or by mail using a paper form.

1.  FILING VIA US MAIL – PAPER FORM

• Request a paper FAFSA by calling 1-800-4FED-AID or 1-800-433-3243, or by contacting the office of student financial assistance at NETC at 843-921-6939.  
   
• Complete the application and mail it in the self addressed envelope provided in the FAFSA packet. It normally takes around 4 weeks to process the application once it has been received.
   
• Notification, called the Student Aid Report (SAR), will be returned through regular postal service mail. Schools listed on the FAFSA will also receive a copy of the SAR. 

2.  FILING ON THE WEB - NO PIN  (Personal Identification Number)

• Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to file the FAFSA electronically.
   
• Click on the link, "Filling Out a FAFSA", and choose either “First Time FAFSA,” or “Renewal FAFSA.”
   
• Select the appropriate FAFSA.  Choose either 2007 - 2008 (covers Fall 07 - Summer 08) or 2006 - 2007 (good through Summer 2007; must use 2005 income tax statements).
   
• Read the information on signing electronically and answer the question – “Do you want to sign your application now by using your PIN?” Select “YES” or “NO.”
  
  
• If NO, click next. Enter a social security number, last name, first name, date of birth, and create a password.  Click next and enter the FAFSA information. When applicants get to the signature portion of the application process, they should print the signature page, sign it and mail it to the address provided. Next, applicants should click to submit the application.

3.  FILING ON THE WEB - WITH PIN

• Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to file the FAFSA electronically.
   
• Click on the link, "Filling Out a FAFSA", and choose either "First Time FAFSA," or "Renewal FAFSA.".
   
• Select the appropriate FAFSA.  Choose either 2007 - 2008 (covers Fall 07 - Summer 08) or 2006 - 2007 (good through Summer 2007).
   
• Read the information on signing electronically and answer the question – “Do you want to sign your application now by using your PIN?” Select “YES” or “NO.”
  
  
• If YES, click next. Enter a social security number, last name, first name, date of birth, student's PIN, and create a password.  Enter FAFSA information. For signatures, enter student's PIN and parents' PIN (if required to provide parental information on FAFSA). Next, applicants should click to submit the application.

To obtain a PIN, visit www.pin.ed.gov and select “Apply for a PIN.”  Applicants will need to provide social security numbers, a full name, complete address, date of birth, e-mail address (if available) and a security pass phrase.  Upon approval, a PIN will be mailed, or emailed, to the applicant in approximately three business days.

Individuals who have lost or forgotten their PINs can request a duplicate by visiting www.pin.ed.gov and selecting “Request a Duplicate PIN.” Instructions for replacing the PIN will be provided.

More information about the variety of financial aid programs and how to apply for them is available by visiting www.netc.edu and clicking on “Financial Aid,” by calling the office of student financial assistance at 843-921-6939, or by visiting the office on the campus of NETC Cheraw.