Application Process

First Time Applicants

We encourage applicants to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web. Before beginning the FAFSA form, look at the FAFSA on the Web worksheet. It will help you collect information needed from you and your parents in order to fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA Web site address is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to finish all steps and get your confirmation number before signing off the Web site.

Paper applications are also available. Obtain a free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your high school or the Westmont College Financial Aid office. These forms will be available in November 2007. If you complete a paper FAFSA, review the entire application and provide all information requested. Because the application is electronically scanned, be sure to completely shade in all grids/ovals, using a #2 pencil or pen with black ink.

The completed FAFSA should be sent electronically on the Web or mailed to the Federal processor after Jan. 1, 2008, but prior to March 2, 2008 (see FAFSA booklet for mailing instructions).

The Federal School Code for Westmont College is: 001341

Renewal Applications

If you applied for financial aid for the 2007-2008 academic year by submitting a Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA), or a Renewal Application, the following information is to assist you with the renewal process for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Paper renewal FAFSA forms will no longer be mailed to students for 2008-2009. Instead, a Renewal Reminder e-mail will be sent if there is a valid e-mail address from the 2007-2008 FAFSA application. If there is no valid e-mail address but there is a valid mailing address a Renewal Reminder letter will be sent instead of an e-mail. If an e-mail message is returned to the Federal Processor as undeliverable, they will send a paper Renewal Reminder letter to the student. The renewal e-mail or letter will provide instructions about the renewal application process.

The application will be pre-printed with some of the data from your 2007-2008 Student Aid Report. You will need to provide updated annual financial information as well as any other changes. Remember, you may do your renewal form on the Web, rather than by mail, if you choose: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov . Do not submit the FAFSA form to the processor until after January 1, 2008 – whether by mail or electronically.

**** If, in January, you have not yet received your Renewal Reminder please come to the Westmont College Financial Aid Office to pick up a regular FAFSA form or complete the FAFSA electronically on the Web.

A PIN is your Personal Identification Number. It can be used to do FAFSA on the web, as well as FAFSA corrections, renewals and to check on student loan data. Parents may also receive a PIN in order to sign their student’s FAFSA, renewal or correction forms electronically on the web.

To apply for a PIN, go to www.pin.ed.gov. Basic information is needed: name, social security number, date of birth, and mailing address. After the Central Processing System receives a successful match from the Social Security Administration, a PIN will be mailed to the applicant.

If you have lost or misplaced your PIN, you can request a duplicate PIN by logging into the FAFSA Web site.

IMPORTANT: Make a copy of your FAFSA before mailing or print a copy if you file electronically. Get a “certificate of mailing” (receipt) from the post office to prove date mailed if you complete a paper FAFSA
PRIORITY FOR RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID IS GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WHO APPLY BY MARCH 3, 2007.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

CAL GRANT: RENEWAL CAL GRANT A and B recipients, complete the regular RENEWAL FAFSA before the March 3, 2008 deadline.

IF YOU ARE A CALIFORNIA RESIDENT AND YOU DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A CAL GRANT A OR B because:

Never applied;
Applied, but denied due to income assets or GPA;
Initially awarded a Cal Grant but no longer eligible after verification or revision of FAFSA information; then we encourage you to apply this year.

Your financial information, GPA, or the Cal Grant eligibility requirements may have changed. Remember that you must file not only the FAFSA, but also a separate GPA Verification form to apply for a Cal Grant. GPA Verification Forms are available in the Financial Aid Office. Take the GPA form to the Records Office for processing. The Westmont Records Office will batch the GPA verification form to the California Student Aid Commission by the March 2nd deadline. If you prefer to mail the GPA verification form yourself, the due date is March 3, 2008.

Processing Dates:

Whether you do your FASFA on the Web or use a paper form do not send your FAFSA to the Federal Processor before January 1, 2008. If you submit the form prior to that date it will not be processed.

Off Campus Programs:

If you will be in an off-campus program for the fall of 2008, the Financial Aid Office must receive your aid application and all required documents by June 1, 2008.

Independent or Dependent Status for the 2008-2009 Academic Year:

What is the definition of an Independent Student?

You need to be 24 years old (born before January 1, 1985),
or be a graduate student, a veteran, orphan, married,
or have dependents other than a spouse.

Otherwise, you are a “Dependent” for financial aid purposes.

Annual Awards

A change in family size, number of siblings attending college, income or assets may affect your need level from year to year. Therefore, your Financial Aid Award offer may not be the same each year.

Federal Stafford Student Loans and Federal PLUS Parent Loans:

All paperwork must be in our office by July 1, 2008 in order for loans to be processed before school begins in August. This includes a completed FAFSA and your acceptance of the Stafford Loan in your electronic or paper award letter.

You may also be required to submit to our office a copy of the 2007 Federal 1040, 1040EZ, or 1040A tax forms as well as W-2 forms and a Verification Form. Our office will contact you if these forms are needed for verification.

We look forward to helping you through the financial aid process. Your financial aid award will be coming to you electronically on the Web. You will be notified via e-mail when it is available.