Auburn University General Financial Aid FAQ

 

 

Q:    Who should I contact if:

Application

Q:   Where can I get the forms I need for financial aid?

 

Here on our web site.  Visit our "Forms" link for more information. There are paper copies of these forms available in our office in Room 203, Martin Hall.

 

Q:  How do I know if I am considered a dependent or an independent student for financial aid purposes?
 
There are seven questions on the FAFSA which you must answer to determine your dependency status for financial aid purposes.  Keep in mind that your dependency status for financial aid purposes is not based upon the IRS tax filing criteria, but is based solely on your responses to the dependency status questions outlined on the FAFSA.

 

Q:  Do I have to send a copy of my tax return with my FAFSA?  Do I send the AU Financial Aid Office a copy of my taxes?

 

No, you do not need to send a copy of your or your parents' tax return with your FAFSA.  In the event that the Federal Processor selects you for the verification process, we will request copies of these and/or other documents separately.

 

Q:  What is "verification?"  Does it mean I did something wrong on the FAFSA?

 

Verification is the process whereby we review the information you reported on your FAFSA and compare the figures to your and/or your parents' tax returns.  The Federal Processor selects about 30% of our financial aid applicants to be verified.  It does not mean that you made a mistake or that you are suspected of mis-reporting.  It simply means that you were picked as part of a sample to be reviewed.  If your file is chosen to be verified, it is important for you to submit any requested documents as quickly as possible.  Financial aid cannot be offered to you until verification has been completed.

 

Q:  If I was selected to be verified last year, does that mean I will also be selected this year?

 

Not necessarily.  You will know when you receive your Student Aid Report each year if you have been  selected to be verified.

 

Q:  I need to make corrections to my Student Aid Report. Can the AU Financial Aid Office do that for me?
 
Yes, most corrections can be done electronically by our office.  Make the appropriate changes on your Student Aid Report, sign it (student and parent if applicable), and submit to our office by mail or fax. It takes 10-14 days for corrections to be processed.

 

 

Q:  I applied for and received financial aid last year.  I haven't received any this year.  Why?

 

You must reapply for financial aid each year.  Applications are available each January for the upcoming academic year, which begins with the fall term.

 

Q:  I plan to attend during the summer term, but when I got my award letter, it only shows an award for fall and spring semesters.  Why?

 

Financial aid for summer is awarded separately.  Generally, we offer your maximum eligibility for fall/spring.  If you plan to attend summer term and accept all the aid offered to you for fall/spring, you may have no remaining eligibility left for summer. We review summer aid eligibility beginning in March after you have registered for summer term.

 

Q:  I received a letter that says I haven't made Academic Progress.  What should I do?

 

Once you have been enrolled at Auburn for four or more semesters, you must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards by maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA and average passing 67% of all hours attempted.  Grades of W and F count against your passing percentage.  If you have been notified by our office that you are not making satisfactory progress and you feel that there are extenuating circumstances that you wish us to consider, you must send an appeal letter in writing to the financial aid office.  Your explanation will be reviewed and a decision made within 3-5 working days as to whether you will be given a conditional exception to these standards.

 

Q:  What are the minimum required credit hours to receive aid?

 

For most grants and scholarships, full time enrollment (12 semester hours) is required.  For most loans, half-time enrollment (6 hours for undergraduates, 5 hours for graduates) is required.

 

Q:  I want to drop a class.  How will it affect my financial aid?

 

If you resign or drop below full time status, you may have to repay all or part of your loans and/or grants.   Contact the AU Financial Aid Office before you decide to drop a class or resign completely.

 

Q:  I'm a senior and will be graduating at the end of the fall semester.  Can I get all of my aid for this academic year during that term?
 
No, a senior who will only attend one term of the academic year must be enrolled full time to be considered eligible for one half of the aid limit for that term. Aid for fall graduates enrolled less than full time will be prorated accordingly.

 

Q:  I'm a graduate student at the Research/Dissertation level.  Can I be considered enrolled full-time for financial aid purposes?
 
Graduate students working on thesis/dissertation must register for at least 1 hour thesis/dissertation and GRAD7900 (MST) or GRAD8900 (PHD) in order to be considered sufficiently enrolled to qualify for financial aid.  Contact the Graduate School to submit a request for this course.

 

Q:  I'm in the Distance Learning Program.  Can I get financial aid?

 

Yes, but students enrolled in the Distance Learning Program are only eligible to receive financial aid to cover tuition and books.  You also must be enrolled at least half time to qualify.

 

 

Q:  When can I expect to receive a bill from AU for tuition/housing ?  
 
Access E-Bill at ebill.auburn.edu 

Only the first bill of each term is mailed.  Subsequent bills are e-mailed.  Fall bills are generally scheduled to mail mid July with a due date of mid August.  Spring bills are generally scheduled to mail mid November with a due date of mid December.  If your financial aid as shown on your bill is not enough to cover the amount due, you must pay the difference by the due date or your class schedule is subject to cancellation.

 

Q:  What address are my bills mailed to? My financial aid documents? My refund checks?

 

Bills are sent to the mailing address, unless you have a separate billing address. Financial Aid Missing Information Letters and Award Letters are mailed to the mailing address, permanent address if no mailing address is specified for new students, e-mailed to current students.  Notices from KHEAA regarding your Stafford Loans are sent to the permanent address.  Refund checks are sent to the local address unless you have signed up for direct deposit. 

 

Q: Can I pick up my refund check instead of having it mailed?

 

No, you cannot pick up a check in person. Direct Deposit of refunds available.

Q: My award letter says I'm entitled to $1500 in Federal Work Study per semester, but it does not show up on my bill.  Why?

 

Some types of financial aid reflected on your award letter are not disbursed to your student account.  Federal Work Study aid is an example.  These funds must be earned over the course of the term.  The figure reflected on the award letter is the maximum potential earnings you are allowed per semester.  AU Work Study students receive a paycheck Bi-weekly for the hours worked and reported on a time sheet through the hiring department.

 

Q:  I'm a Pharmacy or Veterinary Medicine major and our classes begin earlier than the regularly scheduled classes.  Can I get my refund early? 
  
No, funds for Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine students disburse on the same schedule as students in other programs.