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AWARD NOTICE
The Award Notice shows the types and amounts of financial aid you have been awarded. It is important for you to read your Award Notice and complete the steps to accept it electronically. Without your accepted Award Notice, we cannot continue processing your financial aid. If you do not have access to the internet to complete the electronic acceptance, please contact our office. Please keep the stamped “YOUR COPY” Award Notice for your records.
The financial assistance listed on the Financial Aid Award Notice is based on full-time status (12 or more credits) for Fall and Spring semesters. It is very important that you notify our office: if you plan to enroll less than full-time, if you plan to graduate in December, if you plan to attend only one semester, or if you decide not to attend Dickinson State University in 2007-2008.
The Award Notice is based on the most recent information we have. If your file is not complete, your Award Notice will be stamped “VERIFICATION INCOMPLETE ESTIMATE ONLY.” Therefore, it is very important that you submit to our office all of the requested information, or your aid will not be disbursed.
Award Notice Questions and Answers
- What should I do with the forms included with my Award Notice?
- I am not certain that I will attend DSU. Should I accept my aid anyway?
- Could my award change?
- Can financial aid information be released to my parents/guardians/spouse?
- What forms are available on the Office of Financial Aid Website?
- What if my financial aid award is more than I need?
- Is there anything that could delay the processing of my aid once I have accepted my Award Notice?
- What if the amount of financial aid I was awarded is not enough?
- What is the difference between the subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans?
- What if I have a special condition that I would like to have reviewed?
- Is financial aid available for childcare?
- How and when do I apply for aid for summer school?
- Can DSU direct deposit my excess financial aid to my checking or saving account?
- Should I apply for scholarships?
- Can I change my status from single to married after completing the FAFSA?
- When can I charge books to my financial aid?
- If I am receiving a Pell Grant, will I need to be enrolled by a certain date?
- What is Verification?
- How do I determine my grade level?
- Is the money I receive from financial aid taxable?
- What do I need to do if I want to withdraw from the university before the end of the term?
- Is there funding available for Study Abroad?
- What if I had Work-Study last year, but it is not listed on my Award Notice this year?
- When are my tuition and fees due?
What should I do with the forms included with my Award Notice?
Return all forms that require completion and/or a signature. Some of the forms you may have received along with your Award Notice include:
- Work-study form, if you were awarded Work-Study.
- AC/SMART Grant form. If you are a Federal Pell Grant recipient, you may be eligible for additional grant aid.
- ACH form (PDF) which allows us to deposit your excess financial aid into your bank account; checking or savings.
- Federal Perkins loan insert, if you were awarded a Perkins Loan.
I am not certain that I will attend DSU. Should I accept my aid anyway?
Yes. Should you decide later that you will not attend, please notify the Office of Financial Aid.
Could my award change?
Yes. The university reserves the right to make adjustments to your award at any time, based on additional information that becomes available. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Notification of additional resources such as a scholarship, tuition waiver, or third-party billing (examples: Cultural Diversity, National Guard, Voc Rehab, etc.);
- Changes resulting from verification;
- Change in enrollment status;
- Veteran’s benefits.
Can financial aid information be released to my parents/guardians/spouse?
In accordance with the Family Education Right and Privacy Act (FERPA), we are not allowed to release your restricted information to anyone but you, unless you have completed a FERPA Release Form (Excel). The form must be notarized. A FERPA release form does not allow parents to make changes to a student’s award.
What forms are available on the Office of Financial Aid Website?
What if my financial aid award is more than I need?
We recommend that you borrow the minimum amount you need. If you are still unsure of how much to borrow, contact the Office of Financial Aid for assistance. If you decide to decline or reduce the amount of your Federal Stafford Loan, you may reinstate or increase your loan at a later date.
Is there anything that could delay the processing of my aid once I have accepted my Award Notice?
Yes. Delays will occur if:
- The verification process has not been completed.
- You did not select a lender.
- You did not complete a Master Promissory Note (if you are a first-time borrower, have consolidated previous loans, or have switched lenders).
- Entrance Loan Counseling has not been completed (please complete if you are a first-time borrower).
- You did not notify us of a change in your enrollment status.
What if the amount of financial aid I was awarded is not enough?
- There are a variety of alternative loans available to help you meet your expenses. Alternative Loan Chart (PDF)
- It may be possible to increase your Federal Stafford Loan amount if you advance a grade level at the end of a semester. This is not done automatically; you must contact the Office of Financial Aid after grades are posted.
What is the difference between the subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans?
Subsidized: Government pays the interest while you are in school.
Unsubsidized: Interest accrues on your loan while you are in school.
What if I have a special condition that I would like to have reviewed?
Contact the Office of Financial Aid to request a Special Condition Form (PDF) if any of the following occurred after you completed the 2007-2008 FAFSA:
- Reduction of income and benefits
- Separation or divorce
- Unusual debt or expense
- Roth IRA
- Loss of employment
- Death of parent or spouse
- Liquidation/ foreclosure
- Purchase of a computer
Is financial aid available for childcare?
Yes. You may contact the Office of Financial Aid, or download the childcare request form (PDF) here.
How and when do I apply for aid for summer school?
After the summer session schedule becomes available, complete a Summer Financial Aid Application (PDF).
Can DSU direct deposit my excess financial aid to my checking or saving account?
Yes. Your excess financial aid (except for some alternative loans and external scholarships) may be direct deposit into your bank account. You will need to complete the ACH Direct Deposit authorization agreement form (PDF) . Please return the form with a voided check to the Office of Business Affairs, May Hall 107. If you close/change bank accounts or no longer wish to have your excess aid direct deposit, please contact the Office of Business Affairs at 701-483-2328.
Should I apply for scholarships?
Most scholarships are awarded in the spring for the upcoming year; however, you may still wish to search for external scholarships throughout the academic year. Other possible resources include:
Can I change my status from single to married after completing the FAFSA?
For the current year, no. Your status will remain as it was the day the FAFSA was submitted.
When can I charge books to my financial aid?
Books may be charged at the University Store, during designated “charge” days, up to the amount of your excess aid. VISA, Discover, or MasterCard are accepted.
If I am receiving a Pell Grant, will I need to be enrolled by a certain date?
Yes. The amount of your Pell Grant will be determined by the number of credits you are registered for on the eighth instructional day in the Fall or Spring Semesters. No adjustments will be made to your Pell Grant if you add credits after that date.
What is Verification?
Verification is a random review process in which the information you provided on the FAFSA is compared to tax documents, W-2s and the Verification Worksheet. If you are selected for Verification, we will mail you a Verification Worksheet with instructions. No federal aid can be disbursed until Verification is complete. Verification cannot be completed until all required documents are submitted and reviewed. All forms must be submitted within 30 days after receiving the Verification Worksheet.
How do I determine my grade level?
Grade level is determined by the number of credits successfully completed: Freshman
0-23 credits; Sophomore 24-59 credits; Junior 60-89 credits; and Senior 90+ credits.
Is the money I receive from financial aid taxable?
If the total you receive in scholarships or grants (not including loans) exceeds the cost of tuition, fees, required books, equipment and supplies, you need to report the excess as taxable income. [Refer to the form, IRS 1098T and You (PDF)]
What do I need to do if I want to withdraw from the university before the end of the term?
You must initiate the withdrawal process by contacting the Office of Financial Aid before the last day of regular classes. The amount of unearned aid will be calculated and returned to the financial aid programs in the order specified by law. Unearned aid is calculated in accordance with federal regulation on a daily basis until the 60 percent point of the term. [See the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy]
Federal regulation also requires that an institution identify and resolve instances where a student ceases attendance in all classes during a payment period (term). Therefore, students who receive all Fs or incompletes may be considered an unofficial withdrawal. For more information on an unofficial withdrawal, see the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Is there funding available for Study Abroad?
Yes. Financial Aid is available for students who are in an approved study abroad program. A contractual agreement must be completed. [Study Abroad
Financial Aid Contract (PDF)] This includes funding through Federal Pell Grant and campus based aid, as well as student loans. Generally, it is funded by alternative loans. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
What if I had Work-Study last year, but it is not listed on my Award Notice this year?
First, you must have completed the FAFSA by the March 15 priority deadline. If you received Work-Study last year and would like to return to the same department, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
When are my tuition and fees due?
Any balance owed to Dickinson State is due during the fee payment dates:
Fall: September 6-7 Spring: January 24-25
Check your balance on Campus Connection. For a detailed look at your fees, enter your user ID and password. Continue by clicking on Student Self Service > Learner Services > Finances > Account Summary by term. If you need instructions or help accessing Campus Connections, please contact 701-483-2175. If you have questions related to your balance or want to pay over the telephone using a credit card, please call 701-483-2328. You can access this system at anytime for an up-to-date view of your finances.
If you drop below six credits, please notify our office and your lender (as this may affect your financial aid).
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Accreditation
Dickinson State’s accrediting and licensing organizations are included in the catalog, which also lists all programs, majors, degrees and graduation requirements.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Office of Financial Aid does not discriminate on the basis of disability, as mandated by Section 504 and the ADA. For students with disabilities, contact Student Support Services located in the lower level of Stoxen Library, or by telephone at 701-483-2999.
Drug Free Work Place
Policies regarding a drug free work place, drug usage penalties and available counseling services are printed in the University Policy Handbook and distributed to all students and staff annually. In compliance with federal law, the Drug Free Schools and Communities Acts Amendments of 1989, Dickinson State has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees.
Employment of Citizens and Authorized Aliens
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 mandates that all employers employ only U.S. citizens or nationals and lawfully authorized alien workers. To meet this federal requirement, Dickinson State requires identification and verification of all new employees, including student employees.
The most common identification documentation is a valid passport or a combination of current picture identification, license and birth certificate, or original Social Security card. The HR/Payroll Office located in May Hall 109, handles employment verification.
Placement
Job placement information on Dickinson State University students is available through Career Services in May Hall 206.
Students Right to Know/Campus Security
Information required to be compiled and distributed under the Student Right to Know (campus security data, graduation data and athletic graduation data) legislation is released annually to all students, faculty, and staff and upon request, to prospective students.
DisclaimerInformation contained in printed materials is subject to change. While every effort is made to provide accurate and current information, Dickinson State University reserves the right to change statements in this form without notice.
OFFICE OF
FINANCIAL AID
Room 209, May Hall, Box 188
Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone: 701-483-2371
Fax: 701-483-2720
Toll Free: 1-800-279-HAWK
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday |
