Chadron State College
Chadron State College

Financial Aid















 

Understanding the FAFSA Process

Applying for Federal Financial Aid

 

Students who are admitted to Chadron State College are eligible to receive federal financial aid. If you have yet to apply to CSC and would like to, apply now. Once admitted, you need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be offered federal financial aid.

Financial aid is available to help cover your college educational expenses.

PRIORITY DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1st

For the 2022-2023 award year, the FAFSA will be available beginning October 1, 2021. You (and your parent when applicable) will report income from tax year 2020.

Step-by-Step Instructions to complete the FAFSA

Step 1

Create your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) for both student and parent

  • Go to www.studentaid.gov
  • Click “Create an Account”
  • Enter requested information for both student and parent
  • Be sure to remember your FSA ID and password as you will need to use your FSA ID often

Tip: FSA ID serves as your Electronic signature for the FAFSA and Master Promissory notes for applying for student and parent loans as well as it serves as your access to the Student Aid websites. It is your lifetime electronic signature for financial aid purposes.

Step 2

Complete the FAFSA - Don’t forget to add Chadron State as a school to receive the FAFSA-(CSC School Code: 002539)

  • Visit www.studentaid.gov
  • Click “Login” button using your unique FSA ID
  • Enter the requested information
  • Use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when you get to the income section.

Tip: Using the DRT will electronically transfer your income information from the IRS to your FAFSA. It is the easiest way to verify previous year’s income.

Step 3

Processing your FAFSA: It takes about one week for your FAFSA to be processed and sent to Chadron State College.

Step 4

CSC will inform by an email to your EagleMail if additional documentation is required to complete your FAFSA.

Step 5

Complete ALL Financial Aid items on your MyCSC To Dos, which includes a link to securely upload any required documentation. Contact our START office at start@csc.edu with any questions.

Step 6

Mark your calendar for the following October to complete the FAFSA for the next academic year.

FAFSA Verification

Some applications for Federal Student Aid are selected for a process called verification. Verification is used to confirm the data provided on your FAFSA was correctly entered. FAFSAs are selected for verification for many reasons and being selected does not mean that you did anything wrong.

If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will be required to submit additional documentation to CSC in order for your financial aid to be offered. CSC will notify you via your Eaglemail and on your MyCSC “To Dos” to let you know the type(s) of additional documentation that are required. Note: If you have not been contacted by the CSC START Office it is likely that your application hasn't been selected and there is no further action for you to take.

When all the documents requested have been received, your documentation will be reviewed. Based upon the review, additional information may be requested. It is important that you monitor your Eaglemail and MyCSC “To Dos” to stay informed.

You can expect the verification process to take up to two weeks from the date you turn in all documentation to the START Office. Note: all requested documents must be received in order to begin the verification process.

We recommend that you complete verification as soon as possible so you can be offered financial aid in a timely manner. Please be aware that you will not be offered aid until the verification process is complete. Consequently, you may not be offered specific types of aid due to fund availability the longer you wait to submit your documentation.

You can find a list of verification forms and/or instructions required for the verification process below.

Verification Forms

Chadron State College

FAFSA School Code is 002539

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FAFSA Tips

  • Your FSA ID serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records with the U.S. Department of Education systems. Your FSA ID is used to complete your FAFSA each year and complete your Master Promissory Note. Therefore never share it with anyone.
  • When completing the FAFSA, use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to easily transfer parent and student income information from the IRS.
  • Trouble using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)? If you are receiving an error when trying to use the DRT that indicates the 'address or other identifying information does not match the IRS records,' you will need to verify that the information you enter is EXACTLY as it appears on your federal income tax return, using the same abbreviations and no punctuation.
  • Not sure whether you will need to put your parents' information on the FAFSA? Visit the Federal Student Aid website
  • Students and parents should complete the FAFSA together to ensure all information is accurate. Both student and one parent (if applicable) MUST sign the FAFSA.
  • Keep an eye on your EagleMail and MyCSC as this is our primary way of contacting you regarding your aid, and changes to your account.