Use this Checklist

Complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/

Priority Deadline: March 1th

• Add New Jersey City University School Code 002613
• Make sure it's signed with your FSA ID

Complete the NJ State Application for Financial Aid

• At the end of the FAFSA application, there is a link to redirect you to the state application (HESAA) to answer additional questions for state aid consideration
• If you closed the window or can't find the link, go directly to www.hesaa.org and click on "Report Additional Information for State Aid"

Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)

• The SAR is a copy of what you reported on the FAFSA. You will receive an email when it is ready to be viewed online. Please check for any mistakes. If you made a mistake, you may log back onto https://studentaid.gov/ to make a correction.
• The SAR will tell you if you were selected for verification. If so, you will receive a letter from our office outlining the additional documentation requested.

Submit any missing documentation

• Log on to GothicNet to see if you're missing any forms
• We will email you reminders if we require any additional documentation or forms.
• Please submit this information ASAP to the financial aid office
• If you estimated your tax information on the FAFSA, please use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to submit your updated tax information

Review your financial aid awards

• Awards can be viewed electronically on GothicNet
• New Students: Award letters will begin to be mailed in January
• Returning Students: Award letters will begin to be mail in March or check GothicNet starting in late March to see aid.
• Review costs and determine how much you owe for out of pocket expenses. Contact our office if you don't understand something
• Do you have a special circumstance? Complete the Special Circumstance: Request for Review form

Accept, adjust, or decline your student loan(s) on GothicNet

• Borrowing a Stafford loan for the first time? You must do two things:

1. Complete Entrance Counseling at https://studentloans.gov/
2. Sign Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://studentloans.gov/

Apply for outside scholarships

• Use scholarship search engines
• Check with companies for scholarships opportunities
• If you receive a scholarship, notify the Office of Student Financial Aid by providing a copy of the award letter

Decide on payment options to pay the bill

• Payment plan
• Other payment options
• Parent PLUS loan
• Private loan

Pay your bill

• Bills are available in late July and due in mid-August
• You have to pay the difference between your charges and financial aid through one or more of the options above

Adding or dropping classes?

• Check with the Office of Student Financial Aid to see how it will affect your financial aid