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Financial Aid Process | Bismarck State College

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Financial Aid Process

I need to complete my FAFSA

1. To receive federal financial aid, you must be seeking a degree. 2. Obtain a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID by visiting studentaid.gov
  • Select "create account" on the homepage
  • Student and any contributor (parent(s), spouse) will each need a FSA ID
  • You will need this FSA ID to sign your FAFSA, sign your Master Promissory Note and Complete Entrance Loan Counseling
3. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
  • Go to studentaid.gov
  • Log in with your FSA ID and select "Complete the FAFSA form"
  • All contributors (student, parent(s), spouse) must consent to have their tax information transferred from IRS
  • BSC School Code: 002988

I have completed my FAFSA

Completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the process to receive Federal Financial Aid.

It's vital that you complete all the necessary steps prior to entering the classroom or your financial aid could be delayed.
 
1. Check Campus Connection - The Financial Aid Office uses Campus Connection to notify students of items that still need to be completed. We strongly suggest you review the following sections regularly (all of these tools are available under the "Tasks" tile):
  • Holds
  • To Do List
  • Student Communications
Follow up on any requests promptly!

2. Review your financial aid offer - Once your award is determined you are required to review it and make a decision on what awards you want to utilize. You'll do this in Campus Connection.
  • Click on the Financial Aid tile
  • Select the appropriate Federal Aid Year
  • Click on Accept/Decline Awards
  • Click the edit button
  • Accept, decline or reduce your Federal Loan offer
  • Submit your decision
3. Complete loan requirements (first-time borrowers only)­
If you have chosen to borrow federal student loans you will need to complete two items in addition to your FAFSA in order to secure your loans. Complete the following items on studentaid.gov and click on Loans and Grants.
  • Entrance Loan Counseling
  • Master Promissory Note
    - You will need your FSA ID to login
4. Check your class schedule - Prior to classes starting review your class schedule keeping in mind that the number of credits you take can affect your financial aid award. Below is a list of the different enrollment statuses and the respective credit loads for each.
  • 12+  credits = full  time
  • 9-11 credits = 3/4 time
  • 6-8 credits = 1/2 time
  • 5 or less credits = less than 1/2 time (not eligible for loans)
Notify the Financial Aid Office if you are enrolled less than full time and plan to stay enrolled less than full time. Your award may be adjusted.

5. Maintain eligibility for federal student aid - It is important that you, the student, are aware of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) regulations you must adhere to in order to maintain eligibility for Federal Financial Aid. Any student that does not meet the minimum SAP requirements will be placed on a financial aid warning or disqualification status. This can affect eligibility for future as well as current semesters. In order to maintain eligibility you must:
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.00
  • Successfully complete a minimum of 2/3 of your attempted credits (66.667%)