First-Time Applicant Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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- We've been told we probably will not qualify for aid.
Should we bother to apply?
- Yes, you should! Many factors are taken into consideration in determining a family's financial need, and each family's circumstances are unique, so you can't know what you'll qualify for without completing the aid application process. There is no arbitrary cut-off for determining a family's eligibility for financial aid. The income range of those eligible for some amount of assistance covers a wide range.
- When should I apply for aid?
- You should apply as soon as possible after January 1 if you plan to enroll at ESF during the period between June 2007 and March 2008. It is very important that you apply no later than March 1, 2007, if you are a freshman applicant planning to enroll in September. Transfer students should apply by March 15.
- Will I be eligible for the same amount of financial
aid each year?
- In most cases, the answer is yes, but not in every case. Every effort will be made to continue a similar level of institutional gift aid each year. Students receiving merit scholarships do not need to reapply to renew those scholarships. Merit scholarships automatically will be renewed at the same level, as long as the renewal requirements are met<>. Students must reapply for need-based financial aid each year. Assuming you remain in good academic standing, file the application forms by the recommended deadline and demonstrate a similar level of need, you can expect approximately the same level of institutional gift aid each year. Examples of circumstances that might cause a change in a need-based financial aid award could include, but are not limited to:
- a significant rise or drop in family income;
- more or fewer siblings in college at the same time you are attending ESF; and
- more or fewer family members living at home.
- Are all families expected to contribute toward
educational expenses?
- If the student is dependent upon his or her parents for support,
then the expected family contribution will include amounts from both
the student and parents based on their respective incomes and
assets. The contribution for students who are financially
independent of their parents is based on the student's income and
assets, as well as on those of the student's spouse if married.
- If the student is dependent upon his or her parents for support,
then the expected family contribution will include amounts from both
the student and parents based on their respective incomes and
assets. The contribution for students who are financially
independent of their parents is based on the student's income and
assets, as well as on those of the student's spouse if married.
- Does ESF offer academic merit scholarships?
- Yes. Merit scholarships are offered based on a student's
academic record, leadership potential or other factors, and financial
need is not taken into consideration. At ESF, most merit
scholarships for new students are awarded through our Presidential
Scholarship. There are also a number of merit scholarships
awarded to ESF upperclassmen based on academic performance at ESF.
- Yes. Merit scholarships are offered based on a student's
academic record, leadership potential or other factors, and financial
need is not taken into consideration. At ESF, most merit
scholarships for new students are awarded through our Presidential
Scholarship. There are also a number of merit scholarships
awarded to ESF upperclassmen based on academic performance at ESF.
- If my parents are divorced or separated, which parent
should provide the information required to apply for aid?
- You should answer the questions using information about the
parent you lived with in the past 12 months. If you did not live
with one parent more than with the other, then provide information for
the parent who provided the most financial support for you.
(Support would include money, gifts, loans, housing, food, clothes,
medical care, etc.) Child support payments from your other parent
will be taken into consideration, and information about the income and
assets of any step-parent must also be provided. We realize that
these situations can be sensitive and complicated. Please feel
free to discuss your individual circumstances with one of our
counselors. All information will remain confidential.
- You should answer the questions using information about the
parent you lived with in the past 12 months. If you did not live
with one parent more than with the other, then provide information for
the parent who provided the most financial support for you.
(Support would include money, gifts, loans, housing, food, clothes,
medical care, etc.) Child support payments from your other parent
will be taken into consideration, and information about the income and
assets of any step-parent must also be provided. We realize that
these situations can be sensitive and complicated. Please feel
free to discuss your individual circumstances with one of our
counselors. All information will remain confidential.
- What is an EFC?
- EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. This is used
by all colleges and universities to determine a student's eligibility
for federal financial aid programs. The EFC is calculated by the
federal government's processor, based on the information you provide on
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using a formula
known as the federal methodology. Your EFC will be the same at
all colleges that receive results from your FAFSA. You can
estimate your EFC by using a calculator provided by the federal
government, the FAFSA4caster, at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.
- EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. This is used
by all colleges and universities to determine a student's eligibility
for federal financial aid programs. The EFC is calculated by the
federal government's processor, based on the information you provide on
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using a formula
known as the federal methodology. Your EFC will be the same at
all colleges that receive results from your FAFSA. You can
estimate your EFC by using a calculator provided by the federal
government, the FAFSA4caster, at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.
- What happens if our financial need changes after I
enter college?
- While many families' financial needs remain constant while a
student is attending college, some families will experience significant
changes in their ability to contribute to their children's
education. Sometimes these changes can even occur during the
middle of an academic year. We are always willing to review
financial aid appeals from families experiencing difficulties due to
significant changes in their circumstances.
- While many families' financial needs remain constant while a
student is attending college, some families will experience significant
changes in their ability to contribute to their children's
education. Sometimes these changes can even occur during the
middle of an academic year. We are always willing to review
financial aid appeals from families experiencing difficulties due to
significant changes in their circumstances.
- I have just been notified that I will receive a
scholarship from my high school. How will this scholarship affect my
financial aid?
- We encourage students to apply for scholarships awarded by
private organizations. If we are required to amend the financial
aid award as a result of receiving an "outside scholarship," we will
make every effort to reduce the student's loan and/or Federal
Work-Study award before reducing any ESF grants. You can find
links to many sources of free and reputable information concerning
outside scholarships on our www.esf.edu/financialaid website.
- We encourage students to apply for scholarships awarded by
private organizations. If we are required to amend the financial
aid award as a result of receiving an "outside scholarship," we will
make every effort to reduce the student's loan and/or Federal
Work-Study award before reducing any ESF grants. You can find
links to many sources of free and reputable information concerning
outside scholarships on our www.esf.edu/financialaid website.
