How to Apply for Academic Year 2012-2013

The Three Step Application Process

1. File your 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  School Code 002014 must be included or added to an existing FAFSA for LSUHSC-NO to receive the results.

2. Federal legislation discontinued the Federal Family Educational Loan (FFEL) program, which was based on lending through banks and other lenders. All Federal Stafford and PLUS borrowers and schools must utilize the Federal Direct Loan program beginning with the 2010-11 academic year.

   Please complete your MPN at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action.The PIN required is the same PIN you use to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Select “LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER – NEW ORLEANS” from the school selection pull-down. DO NOT select “LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER – SCH. OF DENTISTRY” even if you are a student at the School of Dentistry.

   Students who borrowed Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans at LSUHSC-NO in 2010-11 and/or 2011-12 do not need to complete a new online master promissory note or the counseling session discussed below.  Many borrowers will obtain sufficient funding through the Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized program. Some may need to seek additional funding through the Graduate PLUS, Undergraduate PLUS (for parents of dependent undergraduates), or private alternative loans.

3. Complete the Federal Direct Loan online entrance counseling session at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action.

A Detailed Description of the Application Process

STEP 1 Ø Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students must complete a FAFSA for each academic year they seek aid.  The Department of Education and the Financial Aid Office highly recommend filing the FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.   The Department of Education provides PIN numbers for use as electronic signatures at www.pin.ed.gov.

• File the FAFSA early to facilitate prompt processing of aid for the Fall semester.

• Study all directions and complete all FAFSA worksheets. Many items are not self-evident.
   

•  List the LSUHSC New Orleans Federal School Code, 002014, in Step Six of the FAFSA.
   

•  Undergraduates (Associate/Bachelors degree seekers) must follow the FAFSA to determine if parent data is required.  Students in LSUHSC Masters and Doctoral programs are graduate/professional level and do not have to include parent data on the FAFSA to qualify for U.S. Department of Education federal aid. 
  
  However, applicants for Health Professions Loan (DDS), Primary Care Loan (MD), or federal extreme need scholarships must include parent data.  Also, students with low income parents should include parent data if possible.
   

• Using the IRS Tax Data Transfer service when filing your FAFSA electronically will simplify filing, avoid data entry errors, and could reduce documentation required if your application is selected for Verification. This service is available for most federal tax filers two to three weeks after they electronically file their federal tax returns.
   

• Feel free to bring your FAFSA in for review with your financial aid counselor, but submit your electronic or paper form to the federal processing center.

Student Aid Report - The Student Aid Report (SAR) lists the results of the FAFSA filing.  Contact the financial aid office immediately if:

• There are errors in your report

• Your SAR includes the letter “C” next to the EFC figure, or

• LSUHSC-NO is not identified as a data recipient.

Verification - If the SAR indicates an aid applicant is selected for verification, the application file will not be complete for processing until the financial aid office receives a completed Independent Verification Worksheet or a completed  Dependent Verification Worksheet and all required Federal Income Tax Transcripts. The SAR may also identify other requirements.

SNAP and Other Federal Benefits Verification - If you or your parents reported receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other federal benefits on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the application file will not be complete for processing until the financial aid office receives a statement confirming receipt of the benefits. Complete the Independent SNAP and Other Federal Benefits Verification or the  Dependent SNAP and Other Federal Benefits Verification to meet this requirement.

Step 2 Ø The Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)

The Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) covers multiple academic years.  Note: minimum level enrollment for Subsidized/Unsubsidized is five credits graduate, six credits undergraduate, in a regular semester. 

Step 3 Ø  Federal Entrance Counseling

Complete the Federal Entrance Counseling at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action.