Financial aid checklist

NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID FORMS AND DEADLINES FOR STUDENTS

Use the checklist below to better understand the financial aid process and the steps required to complete your financial aid file. If you have questions about the process, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 765-658-4030 or financialaid@depauw.edu.

Applicant Type Priority Deadline to file Priority deadline to submit Tax Returns and W2 Forms Deadline to submit Verification Forms

Early Decision I November 15 November 15 March 1 Early Action December 1 December 1 March 1 Early Decision II January 15 January 15 March 1 Regular Decision February 1 February 1 March 1

n Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Available online at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ (available Oct. 1). • DePauw’s School Code is: 001792.

n Submit student and parent(s) federal tax returns and W2 forms* • Submit a copy of all W2 forms, even if you did not file a tax return. • Submit a copy of all federal tax returns and schedules. n Submit verification documents (if requested)* • Students selected for federal verification may have additional requirements. • The Financial Aid Office will communicate in writing any additional verification requirements. • Verification requests are due within 30 days of notification or by March 1 (whichever date occurs later).

n Create your ScholarTrack account (Indiana residents) • Available online at https://scholartrack.che.in.gov/. • Review your state grant application to view any outstanding issues/problems. n Submit the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) waiver (optional)* • The FERPA grants permission to the financial aid staff to release a student’s financial aid information to specified third parties. • Available online at http://www.depauw.edu/files/resources/ferpa.pdf. You may access your admission student portal for updates at https://apply.depauw.edu/apply/status. Throughout the application and enrollment process, you will use the admission student portal to access information on the status of your admission application. You may view missing checklist items and upload any required documentation.

*Submit requested documents by email, fax or mail or upload through the admission student portal. Please ensure that the student’s name appears on all submitted documents.

Financial Aid Office • 204 E. Seminary St. • Greencastle, IN 46135-0037 765-658-4030 (phone) • 765-658-4137 (fax) • financialaid@depauw.edu • www.depauw.edu/offices/financialaid/

Financial aid philosophy: We believe that paying for college is a partnership between the students, their families and the university. We seek to bring the university’s educational opportunities within reach of all qualified students through a combination of merit scholarships, need-based grants, student loans and work opportunities. At DePauw, the financial aid review process is holistic. Each application is carefully reviewed by a financial aid counselor to put together the strongest combination of financial assistance possible.

When you will hear from us: It all depends on when we receive your information! If all of your financial aid materials have been submitted to DePauw before Thanksgiving and you have been admitted to the university, our goal is to get you a financial aid offer before the winter break. Check your email regularly as this is how our team comunicates with you if we need additional information. This is how we also remind you of documents we might be waiting on. Needbased financial aid is not considered official until all required documents have been received and reviewed. Financial aid offers may be revised if information is inaccurate and/or new information is received that affects eligibility.

Helpful suggestions: • On all documents, use the best figures available and estimate, if necessary, to meet deadlines. Do not leave answers blank. Enter

“0” or “N/A” if the question is not applicable. • Use the correct Social Security number and name as shown on the Social Security card. • In cases of divorce or separation, information should be completed by the parent with whom the student lives during the majority of the year. If the student lived with each parent an equal amount of time, or did not live with either parent, give information for the parent who provided the most financial support. If this parent has remarried, information for the stepparent must be included. • Students and parents should sign the

FAFSA electronically with a Federal

Student Aid ID (https://fsaid.ed.gov/). IRS data retrieval: The Department of Education encourages all applicants to use the IRS tax data retrieval tool when completing the FAFSA. This tool is available to most tax filers who have a processed tax return on file with the IRS. Students selected for federal verification are required to use the tool to import student and parent income information directly from the IRS. Additional information about the data retrieval process is available online at www.depauw.edu/ offices/financialaid/policies/irs-data-retrieval/. If a student or parent is not able or unwilling to use the IRS data retrieval tool, a tax return transcript is required. To request a federal tax return transcript, visit http://www.irs.gov/ transcript.

About verification: Some students may be selected by DePauw or by the federal government for a separate process called “verification.” In these instances, the student will receive a separate request from the Financial Aid Office by email and/ or by letter identifying what additional items are required to complete the file. The deadline for submitting verification items is 30 days from the time of notification or by March 1 (whichever date occurs later).

Special circumstances: Students who wish to explain any special circumstances that may affect the family’s ability to contribute to the cost of education should send a written appeal directly to the Financial Aid Office. Exceptional circumstances may be considered only when explained in writing with supporting documentation referencing specific dollar amounts.

Indiana residents: Indiana residents should visit ScholarTrack to register for an account with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Indiana residents MUST submit the FAFSA by April 15 to be considered for state financial aid. Visit http://www.in.gov/che/ for additional information.