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Financial Aid Checklist & Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Aid Checklist

  • Complete your FAFSA.
  • Review your SAS (Student Aid Summary) e-mail from the Department of Education for missing information.
  • Review your Financial Aid Notification and Outstanding Requirements through MyBelmont. Complete Verification if selected.
  • Complete any required forms (Outside Scholarship, Multi-Student Discount, Third Party Billing, etc.) and return the forms to SFS.
  • Use our Cost Estimator to estimate your charges for the year.
  • If borrowing Stafford loans, please visit https://studentaid.gov/ and complete Entrance Counseling and  Master Promissory Note.
  • For parents borrowing a Parent PLUS loan, visit https://studentaid.gov/ and complete the Parent PLUS application and the Master Promissory Note. View our Loan Application Guide for step-by-step instructions.
  • For questions on how to set up Nelnet Payment Plan, you can click here or call 1-800-609-8056.
  • Set up any Authorized Users through your MyBelmont account. E-bill statements will only be sent to students and Authorized Users.
  • E-bill statements will be sent out in mid-July for students who priority register for the Fall 2023 semester.
  • Pay your account in full by August 14th, 2024 for the Fall 2024 semester.

Helpful Tips Throughout the Year

  • Check your Belmont email account regularly.
  • Set up your authorized users and complete the FERPA form.
  • Monitor your student account information online.
  • Sign up for Direct Deposit for any credit balance refunds.
  • Visit SFS and MyBelmont for important updates and information.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can file the FAFSA without being admitted to Belmont University, but you must be admitted before we can determine your eligibility for financial aid.

Yes, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every academic year. The FAFSA is available annually starting on October 1st, and Belmont's priority date for filing the FAFSA is December 1st. All applicants are encouraged to complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov. Your award will be determined by your financial need every year. The good news: after your first filing year, you will be asked to update your application rather than completing the whole thing.  You are encouraged to do this online, and it takes much less time than completing the entire FAFSA!

The FSA User ID is a unique identifier that allows you to:

  • complete the FAFSA online and use the FSA User ID as an electronic signature
  • check the status of your FAFSA online and make corrections
  • monitor your federal student loan on the Student Aid portal
  • complete any student or parent loan paperwork through Federal Student Aid

The SAI is calculated by the Federal Department of Education. It is based on information you report on the FAFSA. Belmont will use your SAI to determine your eligibility for any Belmont need-based money as well as any federal financial aid. Financial need is determined as follows: Cost of Attendance - SAI = Financial Need.

NO. To be considered independent for financial aid purposes, you must meet one of the following criteria based on federal regulations (please refer to step 3 of your FAFSA):

  • are now 24 years old, or will turn 24 by December 31 of the FAFSA filing year
  • are working on a master's or doctorate program
  • are married
  • have children who receive more than half of their support from you
  • have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you
  • are an orphan or a ward/dependent of the court (until age 18)
  • are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

There are sources of aid, such as low-interest unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans, that are not based on need. Also, it is wise to have a back-up plan in case your family experiences an unexpected financial pinch.

Moving from on-campus to off-campus housing does not affect your financial aid eligibility. However, institutional grants and scholarships cannot be used to pay for off campus housing

 

Post-baccalaureate students may only be eligible for federal loans while pursuing an additional bachelor's degree.