Steps for Financial Aid
General Financial Aid Steps
Request a Federal Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Electronic signatures are common place in the financial aid world. Signing legal documents electronically saves you time, insures security and can last a life time. To sign up for a federal PIN, go to http://www.pin.ed.gov. The U.S. Department of Education will send you your PIN. Memorize the four digits and keep it in a safe place. If a parent needs to sign any aid forms on your behalf, they too will need a PIN.
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is the first step to establishing eligibility for all federal and state student aid programs as well as Creighton need-based aid. You can complete your FAFSA on line here: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
The FAFSA can be filed anytime after January 1 for the next school year. Be sure to select the correct academic year. There is also a worksheet on the FAFSA website you can download and print that will help you prepare before actually completing the E-FAFSA. Creighton’s school code number is 002542.
CU Contacts You
Once you are admitted and Creighton has received the results of your FAFSA, we will be in touch by either letter or e-mail to let you know if supporting documents are needed to complete your aid application. Normally, these documents are copies of federal tax returns, W-2’s, Creighton’s aid application or several other forms used to clarify or confirm your FAFSA data. Most forms we need can be downloaded from our website under Commonly Used Forms.
Financial Aid Award Notification
Once your FAFSA results have been reviewed by a member of the Financial Aid Office’s professional staff, an award notification is prepared for you. You will receive this notification by mail or electronically by using your Creighton assigned e-mail address (refer to the section on NEST). Either way, you need to respond as soon as possible to this aid offer. Specific directions and instructions on how to finalize your aid offer will be included with this material.
Some forms of aid, like the Federal Work Study and loan programs may require additional paperwork or web-based activity. Be sure to read everything we send or list for you to do to make sure your aid is ready when school starts. Any missing information or documents will always be listed on your NEST Financial Aid webpages.
Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
General guidelines to receive federal student aid consideration require you to;
Be enrolled in a program of study leading to a certificate or degree,
Be enrolled each term on at least a ½ time basis (usually 6 hrs),
Not be in default on any federal loan or owe a repayment on any federal grant,
Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
If you don’t have access to a computer for your financial aid applications, you can use one of our’s! Come to the Creighton Financial Aid Office, Harper Hall rm 2040, during regular business hours.
Qualifying for Financial Aid
Just a reminder, in order to be eligible for financial aid a student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or eligible noncitizen
- Be registered with Selective Service if you are male (see www.sss.gov for more information)
- Be attending a participating school
- Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program
- Be making satisfactory academic progress
Also:
- You must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal education loan
- You must have financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans)
- You must not have any drug convictions that affect your current eligibility.
The information contained in this document is correct as of 12/2008. Changing federal, state, third-party or school policies can make the information presented here obsolete and Creighton University is not liable for misrepresentation under such circumstances.