Stephen F. Austin State University

Financial Aid General Information

INCLUDED IN THIS BROCHURE: • How to apply for financial aid • Priority deadlines • Types of financial aid • Scholarship information • Web resources • Contact information

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Stephen F. Austin State University

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.................................................3 Mission Statement....................................3 How do I apply for aid? ..........................4 What year am I applying for?...............5 Priority Dates..............................................5 Types of financial aid..............................6,7 Scholarships ................................................8,9 Web Resources ..........................................10,11 Financial Aid contact information .....Back Cover

MISSION STATEMENT The Office of Student Financial Assistance mission is to help currently enrolled and prospective students to remove financial barriers so that they may attend SFA. We provide information to these students on how to apply for financial aid and assist our students on matters concerning financial aid. The Office of Student Financial Assistance is committed to providing superior service to our students, and to fair and equitable treatment in awarding financial assistance.

Financial Aid

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This brochure is meant to provide you with a general knowledge of financial aid and the application requirements. We have included valuable web addresses and information regarding scholarships. For more detailed information, please visit our web site at:

www.sfasu.edu/faid

To speak to a Financial Aid Counselor, please contact our office at (936) 468-2403 and one of our knowledgeable counselors will help you.

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Stephen F. Austin State University

HOW TO APPLY FOR AID All students who apply for financial assistance are required to complete at least 2 applications. 1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at www.fafsa.ed.gov 2. SFA Financial Aid General Application (GA) available at www.sfasu.edu/faid. These applications are also available in paper form in the financial aid office. After these applications are received by the Financial Aid Office you may be required to submit additional documents such as (but not limited to) copies of tax returns, divorce decrees, social security cards, proof of citizenship, etc.

Financial Aid

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WHAT YEAR AM I APPLYING FOR? Students who will be enrolled during the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters should complete the 2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the 2007-2008 SFA Financial Aid General Application (GA). If you are unsure as to which application you should complete, please contact our office at (936) 468-2403 or send us an email at: [email protected]

PRIORITY DATES Priority date for new students:

APRIL 2, 2007 Last day to have a completed file in the SFA Financial Aid Office for 2007-2008 financial assistance:

APRIL 30, 2008 Please Note: The priority date is a target date to ensure full consideration for financial assistance. Applications will be accepted after the priority date and processed on a first come first served basis. Applications received after the priority date are subject to funding availability.

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Stephen F. Austin State University

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID Primary responsibility for meeting college costs lies with the student and parents. Financial aid programs are available to assist families who do not have the financial resources to meet the full cost of attendance. Financial aid is provided through the federal government (the largest provider of aid) as well as state governments, schools, and a variety of other public and private sources.

GRANTS Grants are gift aid that do not have to be repaid. Eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Federal Pell Grant - offered to qualified undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Amounts range from $200 - $4050. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - offered to qualified undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) - a state grant for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. Awarded to students who are enrolled for at least six (6) hours per semester or more and who are Texas residents. Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - Awarded to first and second year Federal Pell eligible college students who have successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program. Amounts range from $750—$1300. National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART grant) - offered to third and fourth year college students who major in mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or critical foreign languages. Award is $4000 per year. LEAP/SLEAP - Institutional state grant awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled for at least six (6) hours per semester or more and who are Texas residents. TEXAS Grant - A state grant awarded to recent high school graduates who completed a college bound curriculum in high school. Awarded to students with financial need and who enroll for at least nine (9) hours per semester. Lumberjack Grant - An institutional grant awarded to both undergraduates and graduates who are enrolled for at least six (6) hours per semester. This grant is created by using institutional funds set aside from tuition and fees and is offered to students with less financial need.

Financial Aid

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LOANS Loans are borrowed money that you must repay. Some loans will require you to pay interest. Parents may also borrow to pay the educational expenses of their dependent undergraduate student. Annual Loan Amounts for Stafford Loans Freshman………………..$3,500 Junior & Senior……………………$5,500 Sophomore………...…..$4,500 Graduates……………………..……..$8,500 Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan - A need-based loan where the federal government pays the interest while the student is in school and during the grace period before repayment begins. You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) to receive these funds. Federal Stafford Unsubsidized Loan - A non-need based loan. You, the borrower, are responsible for the interest on the loan as soon as the funds are received. You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) to receive these funds. Federal Perkins Loan - A low-interest (5 percent) loan offered to both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. This loan also has cancellation options based on after-graduation employment. Federal Parent PLUS Loan - Available to parents of dependent undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time. Your parents’ credit history is checked to determine eligibility for this loan. B-on-Time Loan (state) - A state loan that provides eligible Texas students a no-interest loan to attend colleges and universities in Texas. Certain eligibility requirements must be met. Priority will be given to students who are eligible for TEXAS grant but are not receiving a TEXAS grant due to a shortage of funding in that program. College Access Loan (state) - A non-need based state loan offered to students who are Texas residents, enrolled six (6) hours per semester, who meet all financial aid requirements, and who can secure a credit worthy co-signer. Alternative Loans - Loans that are offered by banks or lending institutions to assist students or parents in bridging the gap between college costs and traditional funding sources. These loans are private supplemental loans, and are not guaranteed by the federal government. Terms and conditions of these loans can vary according to specific lender.

WORK-STUDY The Federal Work-Study program provides eligibility for students with financial need to apply for employment on campus to earn money to help pay educational expenses. The program encourages work related to the students’ course of study. To see a list of available jobs, please go to the Career Services web site at www.sfasu.edu/ccs.

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Stephen F. Austin State University

SCHOLARSHIPS Stephen F. Austin State University offers a number of scholarships each year through a variety of departments and offices on campus. Some are based on merit while others are need-based. Scholarships requiring auditions or try-outs are also available. Criteria that may be used to determine recipients include class rank, high school or college GPA, ACT/SAT scores, leadership activities, and performance. Some are renewable based upon academic performance while others are onetime awards.

FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS The Office of Student Financial Assistance awards a number of scholarships through the General Scholarship Program. Eligibility criteria for each scholarship varies. The application deadline is February 1st of each year. Please contact: Office of Student Financial Assistance P.O. Box 13052, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3052 ~ Phone: (936) 468-2403 www.sfasu.edu/faid

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS The Academic Excellence Scholarship is available through the Office of Admissions to students who rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class or top quartile with a minimum SAT score of 1100 or ACT score of 24 and receive the offer of admission by June 1, 2007. Please contact: Office of Admissions P.O. Box 13051, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3051 ~ Phone: (936) 468-2504 www.sfasu.edu/admissions

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS The Alumni Association has nearly 900 scholarships it awards to deserving SFA students each year. Award amounts vary. The deadline for application is February 1st of each year. Please contact: SFA Alumni Association P.O. Box 6096, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-6096 ~ Phone: (936) 468-3407 www.sfasu.edu/alumni

UNIVERSITY REGENTS SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship will be awarded to academically-gifted undergraduate students. Recipients will be awarded a housing allowance up to $1,500.00 per semester to be used towards the cost of a room located in an on-campus residence hall operated by SFA. Application deadline is February 1. Please contact:

Financial Aid

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SFA Financial Aid Office P.O. Box 13052, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3052 ~ Phone: (936) 468-2403 www.sfasu.edu/admissions/regents

SCHOOL OF HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS School of Honors scholarships are available to incoming freshmen meeting a minimum SAT score of 1220 or a minimum ACT score of 27 and to currently enrolled students with a minimum GPA of 3.25. The application deadline is February 1. Please contact: School of Honors P.O. Box 6114, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-6114 ~ Phone: (936) 468-2813 www.sfasu.edu/honors

ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS Athletic scholarships are available through the Athletic Department in all NCAA sanctioned sports in which SFA participates. Please contact: SFA Athletic Department P.O. Box 13010, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3010 ~ Phone: (936) 468-4540 www.sfasu.edu/athletics

ROTC Army Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarships are available through the Department of Military Science. Scholarships are available for entering freshmen, as well as continuing students. Please contact: Department of Military Science P.O. Box 13059, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3059 ~ Phone: (936) 468-4505 www.sfasu.edu/aas/military

DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS Departmental scholarships are available to incoming freshmen and currently enrolled students who have selected a major. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the college of your major listed below: College of Business

www.cob.sfasu.edu

(936) 468-3101 (936) 468-2901

College of Education

www.sfasu.edu/education

College of Fine Arts

www.sfasu.edu/finearts

(936) 468-2801

College of Forestry & Agriculture

www.sfasu.edu/forestry

(936) 468-3304

College of Liberal & Applied Arts

www.sfasu.edu/laa

(936) 468-2803

College of Science and Mathematics

www.fp.sfasu.edu/science

(936) 468-2805

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Stephen F. Austin State University

WEB RESOURCES SFA Financial Aid www.sfasu.edu/faid

FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.ed.gov

College for Texans www.collegefortexans.com

FastWEB www.fastweb.com

College Board www.collegeboard.org

Scholarship Resource Network Express www.srnexpress.com

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators www.nasfaa.org

View our web site for helpful information regarding financial assistance and the process at SFA. Most applications required for our office are available on this site. This is the site for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This site allows you to apply for Federal, State and Institutional aid via the internet. Information about preparing for college, selecting and paying for college, and choosing a career. A highly popular, customized financial aid search listing, with more than 300 references. This is a free service. The homepage of the College Board, including an on-line financial aid calculator and information on scholarships and the SAT. Useful questions and answers on how to research and find scholarships.

Financial aid tips for students, parents, and counselors.

Financial Aid

U.S. Department of Education www.ed.gov

Hispanic Scholarship Fund www.hsf.net

Black Excel www.blackexcel.com

Office of Indian Education Programs (OIEP) www.oiep.bia.edu

Loan Locator www.loanlocator.org

Adventures in Education www.adventuresineducation.org

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This site lists federally funded financial aid programs. HSF is the nation’s leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education. HSF has awarded more than 68,000 scholarships in excess of $144 million to Latinos from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A resource for all, especially African-American families and first-generation college students. The OIEP is part of the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and sponsors competitive higher education scholarships for persons who are of Native American descent. (individuals must document enrollment in a specific Native American tribe and/or prove at least a 1/4 blood relationship to a specific Native American Tribe.) A free service that lets you track your student loans. Information on applying for financial aid, managing your money and repaying your student loans.

Stephen F. Austin State University

Financial Aid Contact Information Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13052 - SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3052 Physical Location: Austin Building, Room 104

Phone: 936-468-2403 Fax: 936-468-1048 E-mail: [email protected] SFA Scholarship Search Engine: http://sfascholarships.sfasu.edu