How to Apply for Federal Student Aid

To apply for Federal Student Aid, you must access JIU's Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO) via the applicant or student portal. The VFAO will direct you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, using a PIN or electronic access code as your identifier. The application must be completed with extreme care and accuracy. Our Financial Aid Advising Center is available to assist you in the completion of this form and to answer any questions.

Note: Financial aid from federal programs is not guaranteed from one year to the next. You must reapply every award year (the Federal Award Year is July 1 through June 30). Also, if you transfer to another university, your aid does not go automatically with you. You must check with your new college to find out the appropriate procedures for reapplying for financial aid.

VERIFICATION PROCESS

The U.S. Department of Education has a process that is used by universities and colleges to verify the information that is entered on the application for federal aid. This process is known as Verification and schools like JIU are required to verify the information on your application. If a request for verification occurs, the JIU Financial Aid Office will notify you with what information is required. Additional documentation may include:

  • A copy of your federal tax return.
  • A copy of your parent's tax return.
  • Information on your household size and number in college.
  • Information on any untaxed income or benefits.

Click here to learn more about the verification policy.

PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT

Professional Judgment allows Financial Aid Administrators discretion to adjust student reported information to account for special circumstances. Financial Aid Administrators may use Professional Judgment on a case basis only to alter the data used to calculate the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

JIU considers the following types of situations to be eligible for a Professional Judgment review:

EFC Adjustments

  • Change to income or loss of employment, receiving unemployment benefits and cessation of unemployment benefits (Note: if student is already receiving the maximum subsidized loan, they will not benefit froman EFC adjustment PJ).

Selective Service System Flags

  • For unknowingly failing to register with the Service Administration during the required period (age of 18 - 25).

Dependency Overrides

  • The Higher Education Act allows a Financial Aid Advisor to make dependency overrides on a case-by-case basis for students with unusual circumstances. A dependency override is used very sparingly and students who request an override will be requires to submit documentation supporting the override.

For information on the types of documents needed, please contact your Financial Aid Advisor at 800.811.5663, option 3.