How to Apply

I. How to Apply for Federal Student Aid at Jackson State University

Federal Title IV School Code: 002410 Priority Deadline: April 15th of each year

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
    • This site will allow you to complete the application online, sign it electronically, and make corrections using using your U.S. Department of Education PIN number.
    • To obtain a PIN number, go to pin.ed.gov.
    • If your parent’s signature are required, both you and your parent must apply for a separate PIN.
  2. After completing your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).
    • The SAR contains the information reported on your FAFSA and usually includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
    • The EFC determines your family’s financial strength and your eligibility for federal student aid.
    • Review your SAR information and make any corrections or changes if required.
    • The school(s) listed on your FAFSA will receive your SAR data electronically.
  3. If additional information is required to process your file, you will receive a Missing Requirements Letter from the Financial Aid Office at JSU. You should respond to this request quickly. Failure to respond in a timely manner may reduce the amount of need-based aid you may qualify for.
  4. When all information is received by our office, we review it and determine your award(s) if eligible. First time students will receive an Award Notice that includes the types, amounts of aid and instructions for accepting or declining your award(s). Incoming freshmen and transfer students should receive their award notices sometime in April. Continuing students can view their award(s) notices on their JSU PAWS accounts after June 1st.

NOTE: Applications received after JSU’s April 15th priority deadline date may not be considered for campus based programs like Federal Work Study (FWS) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) because these funds are limited.

II. How to Apply for State Programs

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grants (MTAG) and Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grants (MESG) are awarded by the Mississippi State Office of Student Financial Aid. To apply, go to http://www.mississippi.edu/riseupms/financialaid-state.php. The deadline date for applications is September 15 of each year. However, it is recommended that you apply prior to June 1.

III.  Special Circumstances Request Process

Sometimes a family will find that the information required on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not reflect their circumstances and their ability to contribute to the student’s cost of education due to rare, unexpected circumstances.  When this happens, a student may choose to submit a request for Special Circumstance(s) to the Financial Aid Office explaining their current circumstances and requesting that their situation be reviewed under those circumstances.  Circumstances considered, but not limited to are: (a) Income Reduction; (b) Unusual high medical and/or dental expenses NOT covered by insurance; (c) Natural Disaster; and (d) Other unusual expenses or circumstances.

To be considered for Special Circumstances, the student must do the following:

1.  Make a written request to the Financial Aid Office in writing detailing the special circumstances.

2.  Complete a Special Circumstance Form.

3.  Provide all the requested information listed on the Special Circumstance Form.

The information submitted will be evaluated to determine if an adjustment can be made to represent a more realistic picture of the family’s ability to contribute to the cost of education.  Students can monitor their JSU PAWS account for messages and updates regarding the decision.

Other Tips to Remember About Applying for Financial Aid

  1. You must reapply for financial aid EACH YEAR.
  2. Missing JSU’s priority deadline date of April 15 will limit the amount of aid you may receive.
  3. You can complete the FAFSA using estimated income and tax figures. If necessary, do this rather than missing JSU’s priority deadline. Be prepared to submit to the Financial Aid Office your 2012 IRS tax return transcript(s)—not photocopies of the income tax return. To obtain a free IRS tax return transcript, go to the Internal Revenue Service’s(IRS)   webpage and click on the “Order a Return or Account Transcript” link, or call 1-800-908-9946. Make sure to request the “IRS tax return transcript” and not the “IRS tax account transcript.” You will need your Social Security Number, date of birth, and the address on file with the IRS (normally this will be the address used when your 2012 IRS tax return was filed). It takes up to two weeks for IRS income information to be available for electronic IRS tax return filers, and up to eight weeks for paper IRS tax return filers. If you are married and you and your spouse filed separate 2012 tax returns, you must submit tax return transcripts for both you and your spouse.
  4. If you are a Dependent student, you must submit a copy of your and your parent’s 2012 IRS tax return transcript(s)—not photocopies of the income tax return. To obtain a free IRS tax return transcript, go to the Internal Revenue Service’s  (IRS)webpage and click on the “Order a Return or Account Transcript” link, or call 1-800-908-9946. Make sure to request the “IRS tax return transcript” and not the “IRS tax account transcript.” You and your parent(s) will need your Social Security Numbers, date of birth, and the address on file with the IRS (normally this will be the address used when your 2012 IRS tax return was filed). It takes up to two weeks for IRS income information to be available for electronic IRS tax return filers, and up to eight weeks for paper IRS tax return filers. If your parents are married and filed separate 2012 tax returns, you must submit a copy of both parent’s tax return transcripts.
  5. You must respond to all requests for additional documents and information.
  6. No financial aid can be awarded until all required information and documents have been received and the verification process has been completed.
  7. Make sure all documents submitted are properly signed and dated.
  8. You should submit all required worksheets and documents at the same time.
  9. Incomplete documents will not be processed.
  10. Put the student’s name and JSU ID # (i.e. J#) on all submitted documents.
  11. Be sure that your current permanent address has been update through your JSU PAWS account and the Registrar’s Office.
  12. Keep a copy of all documents related to your financial aid, promissory notes and disclosure statements.
  13. Since private scholarships often require separate scholarship applications, begin researching for scholarships early.
  14. The Financial Aid Office is committed to providing courteous and efficient service to our students.
  15. Please ask questions if you do not understand.