Month-by-Month Planning Guide
October-February
Get Acquainted With the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to complete. This “need analysis” document provides us with information about you and your parents’ income and assets. The Financial Assistance Office will then determine how much need-based financial aid you are eligible to receive. The FAFSA is also required for any student who wishes to borrow through the federal student loan programs, regardless of financial need, as well as state and institutional need-based financial aid programs.
The FAFSA should be completed on-line. Click on the FAFSA to go to the official site. The results of the FAFSA will be sent to all the schools you list on the FAFSA. EMU’s school code is 003708.
Virginia Residents
Complete and mail the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) application before July 31. This grant is available to students who have been residents of Virginia for at least one year prior to enrollment and who attend private colleges or universities. The VTAG application can be found on our forms page.
Contact Your Church
EMU attempts to send each church a “church grant commitment form.” Make sure your church receives one and that it is completed and returned to EMU prior to March 1 or as soon as possible after March 1
January – June
Review Your Financial Aid Notification Letter
Each school you listed on the FAFSA will receive a similar electronic report known as an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR). Shortly after receiving an ISIR, EMU will send you a Financial Aid Notification Letter. The Financial Aid Notification Letter will provide you with an estimate, based on current available information, of the financial aid you are eligible to receive for the upcoming term at EMU.
Helpful Hint – You will likely receive Financial Aid Notification letters from each school you are interested in attending. Keep in mind that costs may vary greatly from school to school as will the amount of aid you may receive. Financial aid is only one factor in determining which will be your best choice for college. Use care when comparing the “net cost” to you.
Complete a Monthly Payment Plan Contract
EMU contracts with CashNet to provide an interest free monthly payment plan. More information is available from the EMU Business Office.
Complete Loan Applications
Along with your Financial Aid Notification Letter you will receive a student and parent loan information sheet.
Complete a Student Employment Application
Many students are eligible for employment through the Federal Work-Study Program. If you are eligible for this program, a Student Employment Application will be included with your Financial Aid Notification Letter.
