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APPLY EARLY! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
can be completed as soon as the
appropriate tax forms are completed.
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FILE ON-LINE!
Applying on-line is faster and more accurate. Web-based programs have
built in edits to prevent students from missing required information.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Title IV
code for ABAC is 001541.
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BE AWARE OF DEADLINES!
Submit all documents to the Financial Aid Office well in advance of posted deadlines.
Please refer to the Deadlines page for additional information.
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Use
FEDERAL PIN numbers for
signatures. The
student AND parent can electronically sign the FASFA by using each of their
federal pin numbers. Pin
numbers can be obtained at
www.pin.ed.gov. Allow 3 days for a
response if providing an email address. Allow 10 days if the pin number is to
be mailed.
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Read
all printed materials you receive from the financial aid office. If you
do not understand something, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
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Make a
copy of everything you submit to the Office of Financial Aid.
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Keep a
folder with all copied materials, instructions, applications and
notifications.
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Reply
promptly to any request for additional information, even if you think the
information has already been provided. When additional documents are
requested by the OFA, a timely response (within 10 days) will prevent a delay
in the application process.
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Make
sure the appropriate ABAC ID is on all applications .
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Be
sure all required signatures appear on applications.
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Use
your full legal name on all applications. Do not use nicknames,
abbreviations, initials, or middle name as first names. Your name on the
FAFSA and on your Social Security Card must match or your application cannot
be processed.
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Know your responsibilities to maintain
eligibility. ALL ATTEMPTED HOURS AND GRADES ARE
COUNTED IN THE HOPE PROGRAM. For example, hours and grades in learning support
courses are included in the calculation of HOPE hours and grade point average
(GPA). In addition, courses dropped after the drop/add period are included in
the cumulative HOPE hours and GPA. The HOPE GPA is checked at the end of the
term that a student attempts the 30th, 60th, and 90th semester hour and at the
end of each Spring Semester. At these
checkpoints, the student must have a 3.0 or higher GPA to maintain HOPE
eligibility.
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Students
must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to receive federal
and state financial aid funds. These standards are measured in qualitative
(GPA) and quantitative (completion rate percentage and attempted hours
limitation) requirements. A copy of the SAP policy is available in the ABAC
Catalog and on-line at Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.