You put a lot of effort into completing the FAFSA this past Spring, now it’s time to make sure that you’ve got your semester finances covered! Review this list of tips to make sure you have what you need:
- Review your financial aid package ASAP if you haven’t already. If you complete your FAFSA, you should have an award package on KSIS. Find step-by-step instructions for reviewing your award here.
- Get your financial aid! Once you have an award package, you still have a few steps to access your money. You MUST complete the financial aid to-do list on KSIS to have it applied to your account. This includes:
- Review and accept only the aid you need.
- Scholarships and grants can be the best way to cover costs because they’re essentially free money. Make sure you understand the renewal requirements (GPA, credit hour minimum, etc.) so you can maintain general university scholarships and/or grants.
- Remember that subsidized loans cost you less money in interest. Unsubsidized loans cost you more. Knowing the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is important!
- Review and accept only the aid you need.
- If you accept Federal Work Study, you need to go out and find a Work Study job. You’ll get this money on a paycheck and then be responsible for using it to pay your school bills.
- Complete loan entry counseling
- Sign your master promissory note.
- What if you need more money to cover tuition and housing?
- This year, for the first time, Parent and Grad PLUS loans require a separate application on gov. If you were anticipating using a PLUS loan but didn’t complete the separate application, there is still time to apply for this semester.
- Schedule a Powercat Financial counseling session to review your budget and then make a plan.
- What if something changes in your financial situation? Circumstances change, that’s a fact of life. If something has changed in your life that’s making it harder to pay for school, talk to someone about it. You have options:
- Office of Financial Aid phone lines are open Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 4:45PM. Just call 785-532-6420.
- Emergency Aid is available – see the options here.
Whether this is your first semester navigating financial aid or your last, Powercat Financial Peer Counselors are ready to support you through it. Sign up for a free and confidential financial counseling session at https://www.k-state.edu/powercatfinancial/.
Holly Tilden
Peer Counselor I
Powercat Financial
