Returning Students

Applying for financial aid is an annual process. There are many factors used in calculating
eligibility for financial aid. For example, a student who doesn't qualify one year might become eligible during the next year when a sibling enrolls in college. The opposite is also true. Changes in family financial circumstances might affect your eligibility for need-based student aid each year. The 2012-2013 continuing student renewal instructions are outlined below.

Important Renewal Instructions for 2012-13

To apply for need-based student financial aid from St. Lawrence University and the federal government, including St. Lawrence University Grants, Federal Pell and Supplemental Opportunity Grants, Federal Student Perkins and Direct Loans, and work-study, you will need to begin the process* by submitting the on-line Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is no charge for submitting this form.

Please note that postcard reminders have been mailed to home addresses to inform parents
and guardians about this renewal process. (If someone else helps you complete your financial aid renewal application, please forward these instructions to that individual.)

As a reminder - the deadline for receipt of ALL financial aid application materials is Tuesday,
April 17, 2012. Late financial aid applicants risk losing eligibility for part or all of their financial aid resources. Should you feel that you have special circumstances that will not allow you to meet the April 17, 2012 financial aid application deadline, you must request an extension by April 1, 2012. Extension requests may be sent to finaid@stlawu.edu or by calling 800-355-0863.

2012-13 Renewal Process Details:

1. COMPLETE THE ON-LINE 2012-2013 RENEWAL FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

   The Federal school code for St. Lawrence University is 002829. File your FAFSA
   on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please file only one FAFSA!

   It is important to submit accurate and complete parent and student information.

   After the FAFSA has been processed, you will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you supplied an email address on your FAFSA, your SAR will be sent to that email address. If you did not supply an email address, your SAR will be mailed to your home address as listed on your FAFSA. Upon receipt, promptly check the data for accuracy.

   File your completed FAFSA application between January 1, 2012 and April 17, 2012. Do not file your FAFSA until 2011 income tax forms have been completed, but no later than April 17, 2012. If your 2011 income tax forms will not be completed by the April 17, 2012 deadline, you will need to provide a copy of the documented extension from the IRS. You have until June 1, 2012 to complete the required forms.

2. NEW YORK RESIDENTS

   Families must continue to be residents of New York State (NYS) for consideration of the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). The TAP application process begins by filing the FAFSA and listing a college or university located in New York State. Students may complete their TAP application on-line at www.tapweb.org/totw/.

• Note that NYS TAP award estimates provided on 2012-2013 award notifications
  will be based on the current year formula until the NYS budget is in-place.
  St. Lawrence will not be responsible for making up any difference should one's actual TAP award be lower than the estimated amount.
  
  
3. VERMONT RESIDENTS

   Do not forget to submit your application to VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corp.) for consideration for a State grant. It is your responsibility to contact VSAC to be certain you comply with the VSAC application deadline.

4. LATE APPLICANTS

   Late applicants run the risk of not being considered for St. Lawrence aid or receiving a reduction in grant assistance.

   Your family's eligibility to receive need-based financial aid, and the amount of aid for which you are eligible, is determined by the results of your on-time annual financial aid application. If you have brothers or sisters who are also attending college in the 2012-2013 academic year, please remind them to complete the financial aid forms for their school. If you feel that you have any unusual circumstances not included in the FAFSA, please forward a separate letter directly to the Financial Aid Office.

5. AID ELIGIBILITY NOTIFICATION

   Please note that we will continue to use the on-line payment planner for financial aid awared notifications, which supports our sustainability efforts. Award notifications may be accessed via the Payment Planner Website (www.stlawu.edu/financialaid/planner.html) on a rolling basis beginning in early May.

6. FALL 2012 SEMESTER BILLS

   Bills for the fall 2012 semester will be available on-line in early July 2012. Paper bills will also be mailed to students at their home address. The balance on your account (cost minus applicable aid) for the fall semester is due August 10, 2012. Spring 2013 billing statements are expected to be mailed in December 2012, and payment is due January 10, 2013. Additional billing information, including details about the time payment plan may be found at www.stlawu.edu/sfs/billing.htm.

7. OTHER DOCUMENTS

   Please do not submit any documents (other than the FAFSA form) unless we specifically request them from you. Those selected for verification will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office requesting supporting documents. To review the new processing guidelines, that were mailed to student homes in January 2012, please click here.

   Also, if your FAFSA results indicate that your parents are separated or divorced, we may require the submission of financial information from your non-custodial parent. You will be contacted if this information is required.

8. QUESTIONS

   We look forward to assisting you in the application process. Please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions you may have.

St. Lawrence University
Financial Aid Office
Phone: 800-355-0863 or 315-229-5265
Fax: 315-229-7418
Email: finaid@stlawu.edu

Mailing address:

St. Lawrence University
Financial Aid Office
23 Romoda Drive
Canton, New York 13617