FAQs

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Financial Aid FAQs

What is financial aid?
Overview 
What types of financial aid are available? 
Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?
When is my payment due?
How do I make a payment?
Will I get a receipt for each payment?
How can I receive an invoice for employer reimbursement?
Why am I receiving an invoice?
Will I receive an invoice if I have selected financial aid as my payment option?
Can I receive an invoice for administration fees?
Why did I receive an invoice for a class I already paid for?

 

What is financial aid?

Financial aid encompasses any resource that you receive which assists you with paying for college expenses. Assistance from your parents and income from work are excluded from this definition of financial aid. Financial aid may include federal and state grants, as well as loans. The fact that you are attending courses online rather than through a traditional campus may be a factor in determining the type of aid for which you qualify.

Overview

Financial aid plans are provided through the Federal Pell, SEOG Grant programs, or the Direct Lending program (Subsidized for undergraduate students, Unsubsidized, and Federal PLUS Loans). 
All students seeking federal financial aid benefits must be admitted to Ashford University in order to determine financial aid eligibility.

Financial aid applicants must provide Ashford University with all documents required to complete the certification of federal financial aid funds. If you fail to supply the documents, or are unable to qualify for federal financial aid, you will be responsible for any outstanding balances incurred and must select another payment option. Continuous attendance with no breaks greater than 14 days is required to retain disbursed federal financial aid funds, unless you are on an officially approved break from the University.

You must reapply for funding every academic year on this plan. Ninety days before your next academic year begins, you are required to complete the reapplication process. It is imperative that you reapply for future loans or grants early to ensure that your course is not interrupted. If this is not completed in a timely manner, you will no longer qualify for a financial aid deferment and you will be required to comply with the terms and conditions of another payment option. For more information related to these payment options, please refer to the Ashford University Academic Catalog.

The University provides a convenient online application process for completing your financial aid. This process includes all required financial aid forms, options for electronically signing your application and links to complete any additional documents. If you are currently enrolled, you may begin the financial aid application process.

Note: The online nature of the paperwork reduces the processing time for receiving your financial aid funds and is the preferred method for processing your financial aid. Please contact an Ashford Admissions Counselor to begin the online application process.

Documentation needed for the Financial Aid Plan: 
A completed Financial Aid Packet includes all requested paperwork and documentation. This packet includes:

  • Admissions Application, which includes a Student Finance Agreement;
  • Ashford University Institutional Financial Aid Application;
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
  • Entrance Loan Counseling Form (if applicable);
  • Master Promissory Note (if applicable); and
  • Optional Document - Student Account Authorization Form (SAAF).

What types of financial aid are available? 
Types of aid available include loans and grants.

Loans 
Student loans are low interest loans that must be repaid, generally after graduation or when you withdraw from school. Loans are also available to parents of dependent students.

Gift Aid (grants and scholarships) 
Gift aid does not need to be repaid as long as you remain in compliance. Your eligibility for gift aid is always considered first, and you are encouraged to accept any gift aid that you are offered.

Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year? 
Yes. The Department of Education requires that you reapply for financial aid (e.g., complete a new or renewal FAFSA and other documents) each academic award year.

 

When is my payment due?
The payment option you qualify for determines when payment is due. Here is a summary of due dates:

Cash Pay
Payment is due on or before the start of each course.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
If you are active duty, drilling reservist, or a member of the National Guard, you may be eligible to receive Tuition Assistance (TA). To determine your eligibility for TA, please contact your Education Service Officer (ESO) for details. TA vouchers are due prior to the start of each class.

Military Veterans Benefits
Tuition payment is deferred for the first 60 days of your program. You may place a credit card on file for automatic payments of future courses if you choose.

Tuition Reimbursement
Payment is due within 90 days after each course start date.

Direct Bill 
Vouchers, purchase orders, or other authorized mediums are due five days prior to the start of each course or payment period; payments from Third Party Agencies are expected within 90 days of each course or payment period start date. 

How do I make a payment?
Payments can be made over the phone to your assigned Financial Services Advisor, to any Accounts Receivable representative, or online through the Student Portal. Ashford University accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit card payments. Checks or money orders can be mailed to the online accounting office at:

Ashford University
Attn: Finance Office
13500 Evening Creek Drive, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92128

Additional payment questions can be directed to payments@ashford.edu or to your Financial Services Advisor.

Will I get a receipt for each payment?
Credit card payments generate an automated emailed receipt when processed. Check payments are reflected on the Student Portal ledger once received, and the cancelled check may serve as your receipt.

How can I receive an invoice for employer reimbursement?
If you are approved for a tuition reimbursement payment plan, an automatic invoice will be emailed to you two weeks prior to the start of each course in your schedule. No other invoicing will be mailed. You may request an invoice to be re-sent by contacting the Accounts Receivable department at payments@ashford.edu or your Financial Services Advisor.

Why am I receiving an invoice?
Students with Tuition Reimbursement, Cash, or Military Veterans Benefits payment options will automatically be emailed an invoice two weeks prior to starting each course. This invoice is a reminder of what tuition charges are due.

Will I receive an invoice if I have selected financial aid as my payment option?
Only students whose payment option requires you to send in payments for each course will receive invoices. If you have selected Financial Aid, Direct Bill, or Military Tuition Assistance, no invoice will be sent. You can review your student account by going to the Student Portal and selecting the Payment tab. You are encouraged to review your account on a regular basis. If you need an invoice to present for reimbursement purposes, you can print out your ledger card from the Student Portal for a detailed list of charges and payments.

Can I receive an invoice for administration fees?
The invoicing process is only for tuition charges. You may print out the ledger card from the Student Portal to present for reimbursement or serve as an invoice.

Why did I receive an invoice for a class I already paid for?
Invoices are sent out two weeks prior to the start of each course whether or not a payment has been received. The invoices do not reflect any payments made to the account. Please review the ledger card on the Student Portal under the Payment tab to ensure payment has been received.

 

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Eligibility

Student Eligibility
What if I have defaulted on a prior student loan?
Do I need to register with the Selective Service?
How is the amount of financial aid you are eligible for determined?
How can I expedite the process?
Dependency Status
What if I have unusual circumstances concerning my dependency?

Admissions

Do I need to be admitted to Ashford before I apply for financial aid?
What will happen if I withdraw from or drop a class?

Student Eligibility
For you to receive federal financial aid, including loans and grants, there are various eligibility requirements. To fulfill these requirements, you must:

  • have financial need*;
  • have a High School Diploma or equivalent**;
  • be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student;
  • be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • have a valid Social Security Number;
  • maintain satisfactory academic progress;
  • sign the statements of educational purpose and non-default on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
  • register with the Selective Service, if required; and
  • not be in default on a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on a federal student grant.

*Most financial aid funds are awarded on the basis of financial need. The exceptions to this include the Direct Unsubsidized loans and all Federal PLUS loans.

**If no high school degree was earned, applicants who have successfully earned a General Education Certificate or completed at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited postsecondary institution as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies may be admitted and meet this eligibility criteria.

What if I have defaulted on a prior student loan?
If you are in default on a federal student loan, or are in an overpayment status on a federal grant or loan, you are not eligible for federal funds until your default or overpayment is resolved. To resolve your default or overpayment status, you may check your student loan information through the Department of Education's National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at nslds.ed.gov. You must have your federal PIN to access this site. Contact your lender or servicer to learn about additional ways to work through a default.

Do I need to register with the Selective Service to receive financial aid?
Yes, but please note the requirement to register with the Selective Service applies to males who were born on or after January 1, 1960, are between the ages of 18 and 25 years old, are a permanent resident or US citizen, and not currently on active duty in the US Armed Forces. You may give the Selective Service permission to register you by checking a box on the FAFSA. You may also register through the Internet at sss.gov or call 1.847.688.6888. TTY users may call 1.847.688.2567. If you are over 26 years old and have not registered with the Selective Service, please contact the Selective Service agency to learn about your options.

How is the amount of financial aid you are eligible for determined?
The amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive will be based on:

  • your FAFSA results;
  • the amount of financial aid available;
  • distribution formulas based on university, state and federal guidelines; and
  • other college, university, state, and federal criteria.

How can I expedite the process?
Be sure to have all of your paperwork completed and submitted at the same time. If you need to submit additional paperwork to process your aid, your prompt return of requested materials will expedite the process. Changes in your course start date can impact your financial aid. Please note that funds will not be distributed until you are enrolled and attending class.

Dependency Status
Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the idea that students, and their families, if applicable, have the primary responsibility for paying for their post-secondary education.

For the 2012-2013 aid year, you will be considered an independent student if you can answer 'yes' to at least one of the following questions:

  • Were you born before January 1, 1989?
  • As of today, are you married?
  • At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, will you be working on a Master's or Doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
  • Are you currently serving on active duty in the US Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
  • Are you a veteran of the US Armed Forces?
  • Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013?
  • Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2013?
  • At any time since you turned the age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
  • As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
  • As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
  • At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  • At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  • At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If you are considered a dependent student, your parents must answer the parental questions on the FAFSA.

If you can answer "Yes" to any of the questions above, then you are considered an independent student and information about your parents is not required on the FAFSA.

If you have a special circumstance that prevents you from providing parental information you may be able to submit your FAFSA. However, your FAFSA will be incomplete. You must contact your Financial Services Advisor and provide them with documentation to verify your situation.

What if I have unusual circumstances concerning my dependency or financial status?
If you feel that you have unusual circumstances regarding your dependency or financial status or are unsure about your dependency or financial status, please contact your Financial Services Advisor. Please note that the unusual circumstances must have caused a drastic and significant change in your household income. If your circumstances warrant a change in your dependency status, it can be changed based on the documentation you provide.

Admissions

Do I need to be admitted to Ashford University before I can apply for financial aid?
No. You can apply for financial aid at any time after January 1 for the following school year. However, to actually receive funds, you must be admitted and enrolled.

What will happen if I withdraw from or drop a course?
Dropping a course may result in a personal expense and your federal financial aid to be returned. Look at your award letter to see how many units you are expected to complete during the academic year. Undergraduate students are typically expected to complete 12 credits and 20 weeks of instructional time in the first payment period and 12 credits in the second payment period, totaling 24 credits and 40 weeks of instructional time for the academic year. Contact your Financial Services Advisor to help you determine your financial requirements based on whether you've already received your award or not and if you have completed the minimum required credits.

If you choose to withdraw from a course, you may be considered to have only earned a portion of the financial aid funds you received. Because of this, under federal law, Ashford University is often required to return funds to financial aid programs. A calculation is required that will determine what funding can be applied toward your courses and what amount may have to be returned. Please contact your Financial Services Advisor to help you determine your financial responsibilities if you have no other choice but to withdraw.

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Loans, Grants, & Scholarships

Basic Loan Information
What is a loan?
What types of loans are available?

Federal Direct Loans
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loans
Grad PLUS
Grants – what is a grant?
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
State Grants
Scholarships

Loan Details
Interest Rates
Amount Per Year
Aggregate Limits
My Existing Loans
Award Money
Disbursement

Loan Repayment
When do I begin repaying my loan?
Deferment & repayment
What happens if I default on my student loan?
How do I rehabilitate my defaulted loan(s)?

Master Promissory Note (MPN)
What is an MPN?
How long will my MPN be valid?
Does an MPN have an expiration date?

Basic Loan Information

What is a loan?
A loan is a form of financial assistance that must be repaid, with interest. There are two main categories of educational loans: subsidized (need based) and unsubsidized (non-need based).

  • Subsidized loans are available for undergraduate students and insured by the federal government, which pays the interest on the loan as long as you remain in school at least half-time.
  • Unsubsidized loans are also insured by the federal government, but the government does not pay the interest. The loan begins accruing interest as soon as it is disbursed.

What types of loans are available?
There are several types of loans available:

Federal Direct Loans – Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) program, students borrow from the federal government at participating schools.

The student must repay the loan to the government. There are two types of Federal Direct loans available to students: subsidized and unsubsidized.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan - This is a federal loan for undergraduate students. The government pays the interest for the student while the student is in school; therefore, it is a zero percent interest loan while the student is enrolled in school at least half-time. The maximum interest rate is 8.25%.

Repayment begins when the student graduates or drops below half-time. There are several repayment plan options from which the borrower can choose. Borrowers are encouraged to contact their loan servicer to make repayment arrangements that suit the borrower's situation.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan - This is a federal loan for undergraduate and graduate students. Interest accrues under the student's name the day the funds are disbursed. The maximum interest rate is 8.25%. The student can pay the interest while in school or defer it until after graduation. Repayment begins when the student graduates or drops below half-time. There are several repayment plan options the borrower can choose from. Borrowers are encouraged to contact their loan servicer to make repayment arrangements that suit the borrower's situation.

If I'm not eligible for any subsidized loan amounts will I be able to get a higher unsubsidized loan?
Yes, any subsidized award within your current grade level amount that you are not eligible for can usually be made up for and awarded to you in the form of unsubsidized funds.

Federal PLUS Loan
A Federal PLUS loan is a credit-based loan taken out by the parents of the student. Parents can borrow up to the total cost of college attendance minus any other aid received, at a low interest rate. Although the federal government insures the loans, parents are responsible for the accrued interest on the loan as soon as the loan is disbursed. Repayment of a PLUS loan begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed and may extend for 10 years. Parents must meet citizenship requirements and must not be in default on prior loans. If your parents are denied for a PLUS loan, please contact your Financial Services Advisor for additional funding options.

Grad PLUS
The Grad PLUS allows graduate or professional students to borrow a PLUS loan up to the cost of attendance (COA), minus other aid.

What other types of financial assistance may be available?

Grants - What is a grant?
A grant is a monetary stipend awarded to students who can prove specified need. Grants do not have to be repaid, as long as the student remains in compliance. They are awarded by the federal government, or by state governments, schools, and other institutions.

Federal Pell Grants
A Pell Grant is awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor's or professional degree and have financial need. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid, to which other aid may be added. Pell Grants are limited each award year in amount depending upon program funding and a maximum per student amount. Pell Grants do not have to be repaid, and you will automatically apply for them when you submit your Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
A FSEOG is generally awarded only to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students who have received a Federal Pell Grant. The amount a student receives depends on when the application is made, the level of need, the amount of available FSEOG funding available, and the policies of the Financial Aid department at the school. Each year a maximum amount that each student may receive in the form of an FSEOG grant is specified. These grants do not have to be repaid, as long as the student remains in compliance.

State Grants
Please visit the Education Resource Organizations Directory (EROD) for a list of agencies administering state grants. You may contact these agencies directly for information regarding state grants that may be available.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available in a wide variety of forms. They may be based on need, ability, grades, profession, heritage, etc. Every scholarship has unique eligibility criteria. Additional scholarship information may be found by visiting one of the websites listed below.

Ashford University provides links to other websites and institutions for your convenience. Ashford is not responsible for, and does not endorse or warrant, any information, goods or services provided by others. Ashford is not responsible for the privacy practices or other conduct of such others, whether or not they use the Ashford name or trademarks. If you decide to use any of the sites to which we provide links, please understand that you do so at your own risk.

Loan Details

Interest Rates: What are the current loan interest rates?
Loan interest rates vary. Please contact your Financial Services Advisor for more information.

Amount Per Year: How much can I borrow per year in the Federal Direct Loan Program?

Dependent undergraduate student Direct Loan eligibility:
Freshman: $5,500 per year
Sophomore: $6,500 per year
Junior: $7,500 per year
Senior: $7,500 per year

Independent undergraduate student Direct Loan eligibility:
Freshman: $9,500 per year
Sophomore: $10,500 per year
Junior: $12,500 per year
Senior: $12,500 per year

Graduate student Direct Loan eligibility:
Graduate: $20,500 per year

Note: The amounts given above are the maximum yearly amounts that you can borrow in both subsidized (for undergraduate students) and unsubsidized loans. You may receive less than these yearly maximum amounts if you receive other financial aid that is used to cover a portion of your tuition and fees. You may also be limited in the amount you can borrow because of the cost of the program in which you are enrolled.

Aggregate Limits: What is the aggregate limit for the Direct Loan Program?
Generally, all Direct Loan Aggregate limits are as follows:
Dependent undergraduate student: $31,000 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized)
Independent undergraduate student: $57,500 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized)
Graduate student: $138,500 (includes undergraduate Direct loan awards)

My Existing Loans: Where can I find a complete listing of all the federal loans I have borrowed?
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the US Department of Education's central database for student financial aid records. NSLDS provides an integrated view of your federal Title IV education loans and grants, tracking them from when they're approved until you pay off your loans. You can access the database via their web page at www.nslds.ed.gov. You will need your Department of Education PIN number (your FAFSA PIN).

Award Money: How much money will I be awarded?
The amount of money that you will be awarded depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to income level, household size, grade level, and cost of attendance. In general, you should be awarded the maximum yearly loan limits for your particular grade level, unless you request an amount less than that or have an exceptionally high Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Disbursement: How long will it take to receive the first disbursement of my award?
The processing time for each award can vary from student to student, so there is not a specific processing time for all awards. However, in most cases you should expect a processing time of at least eight weeks from the date all documents were completed or eight weeks from your start date, whichever comes later.

Loan Repayment: When do I begin repaying my loans?
For Direct Loans, after you graduate, leave school, or cease full-time enrollment, you have six months before you begin repayment (you may have longer than six months if you are on active duty with the military). This is called a "grace period."

During the grace period on a subsidized loan, you do not have to pay any principal, but interest will be charged. During the grace period on an unsubsidized loan, you do not have to pay any principal, but interest will be charged. You can either pay the interest or it will be capitalized.

After you leave school or cease full-time enrollment, you will receive information from your lender(s) about repayment and will be notified of the date repayment begins. You may also contact your lender directly to schedule repayment. You are responsible for beginning repayment on time, even if you do not receive information from the lender. Be sure to keep your address current with your lender(s). Failing to make payments on your loan may have a negative effect on your credit rating. If you have any questions about your status, please contact your lender directly.

Deferment & Repayment: How do I obtain information about deferment and repayment options on my Federal Direct Loan?
For information regarding loan cancellation, default, deferment, repayment, loan history, original lender(s), present note holder(s), loan servicing center(s), or current balance(s) of your outstanding Direct loan(s), you will need to contact your lender.

What happens if I default on my student loan?
If you default on your loan, the lender or agency that holds your loan, the State, and the Federal government may all take action to recover the money, including notifying national credit bureaus of your default. This affects your credit rating for a long time (up to 10 years). With a poor credit rating, you will find it very difficult to borrow money from a bank to buy a car or a house. In addition, if you default, the agency holding your loan may ask your employer to deduct payments from your paycheck. Also, you are liable for expenses incurred in collecting the loan. If you decide to return to school, you are not entitled to receive any more federal student aid. The US Department of Education may ask the Internal Revenue Service to withhold your income tax refund, and apply it toward the amount you owe.

How do I rehabilitate my defaulted loan(s)?
To rehabilitate a defaulted loan you must make arrangements with your lender(s).

Master Promissory Note

What is the MPN?
The Master Promissory Note (MPN) essentially opens a line of credit for your educational expenses during your academic career. When you sign a MPN, you promise to repay your student loan(s). The note also includes important language about your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. The MPN replaced the Common Federal Direct Loan Application and Promissory Note for all Federal Direct loans on July 1, 2000.

How long will my MPN be valid?
The MPN is good for ten years from the date it is signed.

Does an MPN have an expiration date?
The MPN will expire automatically if any of the following should occur:

  • You notify your lender in writing that you wish to terminate the note's use for future loans.
  • Your MPN is 10 years old.
  • Your first loan disbursement is not received within 12 months after you signed your note.

What are my responsibilities as a borrower?
As a recipient of financial aid, you have certain responsibilities related to repayment, which include but are not limited to:

  • Repay student loans, both principal and interest, on time each month and in full even if you don't receive a notice.
  • Maintain current name and address records with lenders and notify them when you graduate, withdraw, drop below full-time status, or transfer to another school.
  • Participate in exit counseling before leaving school.

If you have applied for a deferment or forbearance, continue to make payments until notified that your request has been granted.

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How To Apply for Financial Aid

How do I get my financial aid process started?
Do I have to pay to apply for financial aid?
How long will it take before I hear from the Financial Aid Office?
After you've applied
Loan Acceptance

How do I get my financial aid application process started?
To be considered for any type of financial aid (including Pell Grants and Direct Loans), you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov for the appropriate academic year; list Ashford University (Title IV School Code: 001881) as one of the schools on the FAFSA; and submit the FAFSA. In addition to the FAFSA, you may also be responsible for additional documents in order to secure funding for your education. Please speak to your Financial Services Advisor to be sure you have all the required documents.

Do I have to pay to apply for financial aid?
No, the FAFSA is FREE! The Financial Services department, as well as many other state and local institutions, provide free assistance to help students and parents apply for and obtain financial aid. Prospective college students and parents will often receive mail, email, and phone calls from organizations claiming to provide you with the most complete access to scholarships and financial aid, for a fee. Simply put, you should NEVER pay for a company or an individual to locate federal funds for college. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the free application used to apply for the majority of financial aid. This form can easily be completed online at FAFSA on the Web.

How long will it take before I hear from the Financial Aid Office?
You have a designated Financial Services Advisor (FSA) who will work with you through every step of the financial aid process. You should always be aware of where you are within the process. If you ever have any questions, be sure to contact your Financial Services Advisor directly.

Eligibility
To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must meet the following requirements.

  • Citizen: Be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen.
  • Selective Service: Be registered for the selective service, if required to do so. 
  • High School Diploma or equivalent: Have a high school diploma or equivalent. 
  • Degree-Seeking: Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student or enrolled in an eligible certificate program. 
  • Not Owe a Refund: Not be in an overpayment status on any federal grant, not be in default on a federal student loan, and not have borrowed in excess of the loan limits under the Title IV programs at any institution. 
  • Academic Good Standing: Maintain good academic standing in your program and make satisfactory progress toward the degree sought, as outlined below. 
  • Enrollment: Be enrolled at least half-time. Contact your Financial Services Advisor or consult the Ashford catalog to understand the parameters of half-time enrollment.

After you've applied
The federal processor sends out a written confirmation entitled, Student Aid Report (SAR). The student must review the report for accuracy and make any corrections or changes according to the instructions. If the SAR is correct, the student should keep it for his or her records. You do not need to submit your SAR to Ashford University. We receive your FAFSA and SAR information through an electronic process as long as you have included the Ashford University school code (001881).
Notification

The Office of Financial Services reviews the FAFSA and SAR electronic information. If eligible, you will receive Financial Aid Notification, which lists the aid programs you may receive while attending Ashford University. The financial aid award may include grants, tuition awards, scholarships, and loans. You should retain the Financial Aid Notification for your records.

Loan Acceptance
The Office of Financial Services assumes that you will accept the grant and scholarship monies offered to you. To accept the loan offer, you must complete the Direct or PLUS loan applications according to the instructions provided. These applications will be sent out after receipt of the Financial Aid Notification.

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FAFSA

What is FAFSA?
Can I expect to receive financial aid if I apply?
What types of aid are available through the FAFSA application?
Where can I complete the FAFSA?
What information do I need to complete the FAFSA?
What is Ashford University's Federal School code?
Who do I contact for help?
What is a Federal PIN, how do I get it, and how is it used?
What should I do after I complete my FAFSA?
Will I receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor?
If I made a mistake on the FAFSA form, what should I do?
What is verification?
Do I have to submit a FAFSA every award year?

What is a FAFSA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must complete this federal form to be considered for most financial aid. The application process is the same for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Additional documents may or may not be needed to complete your file or to process your application information. If additional documentation is required, you will be notified.

Can I expect to receive financial aid if I apply?
Most students are eligible for some form of financial aid and are encouraged to apply regardless of their family's financial circumstances. Eligibility for financial aid programs can only be determined if you apply. Applying for financial aid is FREE using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can use the FAFSA to apply to more than one school.

What types of aid are available through the FAFSA application?
The US Department of Education has the following major Student Financial Assistance (SFA) Programs:

  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Direct Loans
  • PLUS Loans
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Grants do not have to be paid back, as long as the student remains in compliance. Loans are borrowed money that you must repay with interest. Undergraduates may receive grants and loans.
Graduate students may receive loans, but not Federal Grants.

Where can I complete the FAFSA?
Complete your FAFSA online at fafsa.ed.gov.

What information will I need to complete the FAFSA?
You may need to refer to:

  • Your social security card and driver's license.
  • W-2 forms or other records of earned income for you, your parents (if dependent), and your spouse (if married).
  • Your (and your spouse's, if married) federal income tax return.
  • Your parents' income tax return (if dependent).
  • Records of other untaxed income received, such as welfare benefits, social security benefits, TANF, veterans benefits, or military or clergy allowances.
  • Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments.
  • Business or farm records.
  • Your alien registration card if you are not a US citizen.
  • Ashford University's school code: 001881.

What is Ashford University's Federal School Code?
The Ashford University Federal School Code is 001881. This number must be included on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you wish to have your Student Aid Report (SAR) information sent to Ashford University.

Whom do I contact for help?
The FAFSA is a lengthy form and can be complicated. It is important to read the instructions prior to completing the form. If additional help is needed, call 1.800.4.FED.AID (1.800.433.3243) or contact the Financial Services Office at 866.487.9747.

What is a Federal Student Aid PIN, how do I get it, and how it is used?
Your Federal Student Aid PIN is your unique ID for your federal loan records. You can use it to access your federal aid records online. For example, you may check your student loan information through the Department of Education's National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at nslds.ed.gov. Your Federal Student Aid PIN also allows you to make corrections to your application online, to access your renewal FAFSA in subsequent years, and to electronically "sign" your online FAFSA in subsequent years. To obtain your Federal Student Aid PIN, please visit pin.ed.gov.

What should I do after I complete my FAFSA?
After you have completed and submitted your FAFSA, you will receive a copy via email within approximately 72 hours. Please review your FAFSA information from the email you receive for accuracy, and ensure that Ashford University (school code 001881) is listed as one of the schools to receive your FAFSA data. If the data is accurate, and you have been admitted to the University, then the Office of Financial Services will begin the awarding process as long as all financial aid related documents have been received. If there are errors in the data, please make the necessary corrections online by clicking "Make corrections to a processed FAFSA."

Once the Office of Financial Services has the corrected data, and you have been admitted to the University, then the Office of Financial Services will begin the awarding process as long as all financial aid related documents have been received.

Will I receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor?
The federal processor will only mail a Student Aid Report (SAR) to the students who completed a paper FAFSA and did not have an email address. If you would like a paper copy of your SAR, go to the FAFSA web page (fafsa.ed.gov) and click on "View and Print your Student Aid Report".

If I made a mistake on the FAFSA form, what should I do?
If you need to make corrections on the FAFSA, they can be made online at FAFSA on the Web. Click "Make corrections to a processed FAFSA." Corrections can also be made on the Student Aid Report (SAR) that is mailed to the student after the FAFSA is processed. The SAR should be returned to the federal processor. DO NOT send SAR corrections to Ashford.

What is verification?
Verification is a process used to ensure the information provided by you on your FAFSA is accurate. This process requires you to submit documentation verifying income, household size, number in college, and certain untaxed income.

Do I have to submit a FAFSA every award year?
Yes; however, if you already have completed a FAFSA, you may use a renewal FAFSA that contains preprinted information from the previous year's FAFSA. If you are eligible to complete a renewal FAFSA, then you are only required to provide updated information, e.g. tax or demographic changes. Information that has not changed since the previous year can remain as is.

You may access FAFSA on the Web to see if a renewal application is available to you. You will need your personal identification number (PIN) that is supplied by the federal processor. If you do not have your PIN, you may obtain it by requesting it from the federal processor at 1.800.433.3243, or by visiting PIN Registration. It will take approximately three business days to receive your PIN instructions via email, or 7-10 days to receive it in the mail.

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Aid Status

What is the status of my FAFSA application?
How can I check my financial aid status?
I sent in my FAFSA a week ago, but I haven't heard anything back. What should I do?
Why have I not received my award letter yet?
I haven't received my financial aid yet. Where is my money?

What is the status of my FAFSA application?
The Office of Financial Services begins processing FAFSA information upon receipt of all necessary documents including the FAFSA. Once students are awarded aid, they will be notified via email.

How can I check my financial aid status?
If you are awarded aid, you will be sent an email with your award letter notification. Be sure to check your email first to verify receipt of your award letter. To check your status, log in to the Ashford Student Portal and access your ledger that contains financial aid information, including disbursements. If you're still unable to determine your status, please contact your Financial Services Advisor.

I sent in my FAFSA over a week ago, but I haven't heard anything back. What should I do?
If you have not received a Student Aid Report (SAR), call the Federal Student Aid information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1.800.433.3243) or visit fafsa.ed.gov to find out if your FAFSA has been processed. If your FAFSA has been processed, you can request a duplicate copy of your SAR.

Why have I not received my award letter yet?
After you have applied for financial aid, and have submitted all required documents, you will receive an email with your award letter notification. If you do not have an award letter in your email to view, we may still be processing your application or we may need additional documentation from you. Please contact your Financial Services Advisor. Please note: some students have let us know that the award letters are inadvertently directed to a junk mail or spam folder so please be sure to check those areas of your email service to verify receipt of the letter.

I haven't received my financial aid yet. Where is my money?
There may be multiple reasons that are causing a delay in receiving your funds. Please contact your Financial Services Advisor who will help you determine what may be causing the delay.

FAQs