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The following are questions often asked by students (and their families) who are currently in college, or planning to attend college in the near future. If you have a question not listed below and for which you have been unable to find an answer contact us by e-mailing your inquiry.
- Applying for Financial Aid
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- What is a PIN number?
- My parents refuse to provide their financial information for the FAFSA, what should I do?
- My parents received a one-time payment this year. Do I have to report it on my FAFSFA?
- Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
- How do I apply for summer financial aid?
- Financial Aid Processing
- How long does it take to process a FAFSA?
- My FAFSA has been rejected because of no parent signature, what should I do?
- I just turned in the verification information that was requested. How long will it take to be packaged for financial aid?
- I requested a revision of my financial aid package. How long will it take?
- I just turned in a Special Circumstances form. How long will it take for my request to be approved?
- Independent/Dependent Status
- I do not live at home with my parents. Does this mean I'm an independent student for financial aid purposes?
- I do not receive any support from my parents. Does this mean I am an independent student for financial aid purposes?
- Costs
- What can I do if I do not receive enough financial aid to cover my educational expenses?
- What should I do if my financial situation changes?
- Refund Checks
- What is a student refund check?
- When will my student refund check be available?
- Is there a way I can tell how much my student refund check is going to be?
- Billing/Charges
- How am I billed and by whom?
- How do I qualify for in-state tuition?
- Registration
- Will I be able to register for classes if I have a past due balance?
- Will my classes be cancelled for non-payment of my most current bill?
- Changes in Enrollment
- I want to drop a class, how will this affect my financial aid?
- I want to completely withdraw, how will this affect my financial aid?
- Scholarships
- How do I go about applying for scholarships?
- Loans
- What is the difference between a Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan?
- I accepted my loan yesterday; how soon will it credit to my university account?
- How many hours must I be registered for in order to be eligible for a loan?
- If I am only going to be enrolled for only one semester can I get a full loan?
- I just received my refund check and I do not need that much money, can I reduce or cancel my loan?
- SalukiNet
- Satisfactory Progress
- What is Satisfactory Progress?
- What happens if I become ineligible for financial aid because of Satisfactory Progress?
- Student Employment
- How can I find a student employment job on campus?
- Graduate Assistantships
- I'm a graduate student and have an EGRAD award on my financial aid award notice, what is EGRAD?
APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
How do I apply for financial aid?
- You apply for financial aid at SIUC by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to file electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. A paper version of the FAFSA is also available from high schools, community colleges and the SIUC Financial Aid Office for students and families who do not have access to the internet.
- Be sure to list Federal School Code 001758 to ensure that your information is sent to SIUC.
What is a PIN number?
- PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. SIUC students should have both a Department of Education PIN and an SIUC PIN. If you are considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes, at least one of your parents should also have a Department of Education PIN.
- The Department of Education PIN serves as your electronic signature for the FAFSA and for your Direct Loan Master Promissory Note. It can also be used to access your personal information on the Department of Education web sites. Both you and your parent can sign up for a Department of Education PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.
- The SIUC PIN is used to login on to SalukiNet, which provides you access to students’ personnel records, to student services, to university information, and to much more. Your SIUC PIN was assigned at the time you were admitted to and was provided to you in your admissions information.
My parents refuse to provide their financial information for the FAFSA, what should I do?
- If you are considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes, it is essential that your FAFSA include parent financial information in order for your financial aid eligibility to be determined. Explain this to your parents, if necessary, your parents may contact the Financial Aid Office and we will explain why this information is required and to assure them that the information is kept strictly confidential.
My parents received a one-time payment this year. Do we have to report it on my FAFSA?
- Yes, you must include all one-time payments when completing your FAFSA.
Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
- Yes, you must submit a FAFSA every year. The FAFSA application covers one academic year consisting of fall, spring and summer semesters. You can submit a FAFSA in January for the upcoming academic year. You are strongly encouraged to submit your FAFSA before April 1 in order to receive priority consideration for campus based financial aid.
How do I apply for summer financial aid?
- In order to receive financial aid for summer semester you must have a FAFSA on file for the current academic year and complete a one-page institutional summer financial aid application. Summer financial aid applications are available beginning the Tuesday after spring break; you must be registered for all of your summer classes prior to requesting an application.
FINANCIAL AID PROCESSING
How long does it take to process my FAFSA?
- If you filed or made changes electronically over the Web, the federal processor will normally process your information within two weeks. The Financial Aid Office will normally import your processed information within three business days.
- You can check the “Award Status” section of SalukiNet to see determine if the Financial Aid Office has received and processed your FAFSA.
My FAFSA has been rejected because of no parent signature, what should I do?
- Your parents will need to have a Federal PIN if they want to sign the FAFSA electronically. Your parents can obtain a Federal PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. You may also print a signature page on the FAFSA website which can be signed by one of your parents and then mailed to the federal processor.
I just turned in my verification information. How long will it take to be packaged for financial aid?
- If the information you submitted is correct and does not result in a change to your FAFSA information, you should be packaged for financial aid within 7 to 10 days.
- If the information you submitted results in a change to your FAFSA information, you should be packaged for financial aid within 14 to 21 days.
- If the information you submitted is incomplete and additional information or clarification is needed, you will be sent a request for additional information within 7 to 10 days.
I requested a revision in my financial aid package. How long will it take?
- A revision to your financial aid package will normally take 7 to 10 days. You can check on SalukiNet to see if your revision request has been processed.
I submitted a Special Circumstances form. How long will it take for my request to be reviewed?
- Special circumstance requests are normally acted upon within 14 to 21 days.
DEPENDENT / INDEPENDENT STATUS
I do not live at home with my parents. Does this mean I'm an independent student for financial aid purposes?
- Not necessarily. You are considered a dependent student unless you can answer yes to one of the seven questions in step three on the FAFSA. If you cannot answer yes to one of these questions you will need to have your parent provide their financial information on the FAFSA.
I do not receive any support from my parents. Does this mean I am an independent student for financial aid purposes?
- No, just because you do not receive monetary support for your parents you cannot be considered independent for financial aid purposes unless you can answer yes to one of the seven questions in step three on the FAFSA.
COSTS
What can I do if I do not receive enough financial aid to cover my educational expenses?
- If additional funds are needed to finance your education, you and your parents may want to explore other non-need-based program options. Your parents may be able to borrow from the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program. You may want to consider finding a part-time student employment job on campus, applying for both private and institutional scholarships, or applying for an alternative loan. It should be noted that alternative loans can be expensive and should only be considered as a last resort.
What should I do if my financial situation changes?
- If you or your parents (for dependent students) experience a change in your financial situation, you can request that the Financial Aid Office reevaluate your aid eligibility. You will be asked to complete a Special Circumstances Form describing the change and to provide some form of substantiating documentation. Common situations that may be considered are loss of employment, a reduction in income, unreimbursed medical/dental expenses, divorce and death.
REFUND CHECKS
What is a student refund check?
- Most types of financial aid are credited directly to your SIUC Statement of Account. If your financial aid exceeds your University charges, a refund check will be processed to you. These funds are to be used to help pay for other educational-related expenses such as books & supplies, transportation and off-campus living expenses. You should be sure to budget these funds so that they will last the entire semester.
When will my student refund check be available?
- Refund check processing does not begin until one week prior to the first day of each semester. Generally, refund checks are produced and mailed on the Tuesday prior to the beginning of each semester and are mailed to your local address.
Is there a way I can tell how much my student refund check is going to be?
- The amount of your refund check is available on SalukiNet. You should logon to SalukiNet with your SIUC PIN, click "Student Account" and then click "Account Balance", if your current account balance is a credit, this should be the amount of your refund check.
BILLING / CHARGES
How am I billed and by whom?
- The SIUC Bursar Office is responsible for the maintaining and ensuring the students bill is accurate. Access is also available on SalukiNet.
How do I qualify for in-state tuition?
- Please click on the following link which will direct you to the SIU Board of Trustees Residency Status Policies, which govern the determination of residency status for admission and assessment of student tuition.
REGISTRATION
Will I be able to register for classes if I have a past due balance?
- Students who have a past due balance of $500 or less will be allowed to register for classes. The policy can be found on the web at SIUC Policies and Procedures
Will my classes be cancelled for non-payment of my most current bill?
- Please not that effective spring semester 2007 students will no longer have their classes cancelled for non-payment. Therefore, if you enroll for a semester and decide not to attend, you will need to withdraw from SIUC. Failure to withdraw may result in your receiving failing grades and being liable for any charges incurred.
CHANGES IN ENROLLMENT
How does changing my enrollment affect my financial aid?
- Enrollment changes can have a significant impact on your current financial aid as well as your future financial aid eligibility. Your tuition and fees may be adjusted whenever you add, drop or withdraw based on the SIUC Refund Policy. As a result of dropping or withdrawing from your classes, your financial aid may be reduced, or in some cases canceled. Also, dropped or withdrawn classes are counted in determining your future financial aid eligibility through the Satisfactory Progress Policy. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office prior to dropping or withdrawing from your classes.
SCHOLARSHIPS
How do I apply for scholarships?
- Academic and collegiate scholarships that are available at SIUC are posted on the Financial Aid Office web site. The SIUC Academic Scholarship Program provides freshmen and transfer awards to new undergraduate students who have achieved high academic standards. These scholarships are based upon academic merit and potential for superior achievement in college, not on financial need. Your eligibility for these awards is automatically assessed when you are admitted to SIUC; you do not have to complete a separate application.
- Collegiate units award academic scholarships annually to both new and continuing students. Information on these scholarships is available on the Financial Aid Office web site or from the applicable collegiate unit scholarship coordinator.
- Students interested in seeking a private grant or scholarship should check as many sources as possible including high school guidance offices, local clubs and civic organizations, businesses, employers, church groups, public libraries, alumni organizations and financial institutions. There are several web sites, such as FastWeb, that provide scholarship search services free of charge. In addition, public libraries are an excellent source of information on private scholarships.
LOANS
What is the difference between a Subsidized and an Unsubsidized Loan?
- A SUB or Subsidized Loan is the need-based loan component of the Federal Direct Loan Program. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you’re in school on at least a half-time basis, for the first six months after you leave school, and during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
- The UNSUB or Unsubsidized Loan is the non-need-based loan component of the Federal Direct Loan Program. You are responsible for the interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. You can pay the interest as you go along, or you can allow the interest to accrue (accumulate) while you are in school, and have the interest added to the principal amount of your loan later. This means the interest will be “capitalized”. Note that with interest accumulated, the total amount you repay will be higher than if you paid the interest all along.
I accepted my loan yesterday, how soon will it credit to my university account?
- It will normally take at least a week for a loan to credit to your university account. If you are a new borrower at SIU, you will need to complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN), it may then take up to two weeks for your loan to credit to your account. You can check on SalukiNet each Monday to see if your loan has credited.
How many hours must I be registered for to be eligible for a loan?
- You must enroll and continue to be enrolled on at least half-time basis to be eligible for a loan. For fall and spring semesters half-time enrollment for both graduate and undergraduates is 6 credit hours. For summer semester half-time enrollment for graduate students is 3 credit hours and for undergraduate students 6 credit hours.
If I am only going to be enrolled for one semester can I get a full loan?
- Loan limits are established as annual amounts, if you are only going to be enrolled for one semester, the maximum amount that you can receive is one-half of the annual loan amount.
I just received my refund check and I do not need this much money, can I reduce or cancel my loan?
- If you want to cancel or reduce your loan, you must either bring your refund check or a personnel check payable to SIUC to the Financial Aid Office within 90 days of the date the loan was credited to your account. The Financial Aid office will reduce or cancel your loan once payment has been made.
SALUKI NET
What is SalukiNet?
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) provides SalukiNet for its most valued customer, the student. This student-oriented service provides access to students' personal records, to student services, to university information, and to much, much more. SIUC hopes that SalukiNet will be a valuable aid in the achievement of your educational goals.
What is a Saluki Net PIN number and how can I get one?
- Your 4-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) is used on the SalukiNet Student Login page to access Your Personal Records in SalukiNet
- If you applied for admission to the University for the first time in 2003 or later, you were assigned a random PIN and notified of your PIN by the appropriate admissions office. (Undergraduates are notified after receipt of their application; Graduate students are notified after being admitted; Law and Medical students are notified once they are enrolled.)
- Click here for more information on your PIN number.
If I get locked out of SalukiNet, what should I do?
- Contact Records & Registration at 453-2993, Woody Hall A-110 or visit their website at registrar.siu.edu
- Click here for more information about Salukinet Security.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS
What is Satisfactory Progress?
- The Higher Education Act of 1965 requires that institutions of higher education establish reasonable standards of “satisfactory progress” toward a degree. A student who does not meet these standards is not eligible to receive federally-funded financial aid. In most instances, SIUC makes these standards applicable to all state and institutional aid programs for the purpose of maintaining a consistent and reasonable financial aid policy. Click here to view the entire Satisfactory Progress Policy.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
How can I find a student employment job?
- SIUC has a large student employment program. Last year over 5,000 undergraduate students earned more than 11 millions dollars. SIUC does not offer placement services, you are responsible for finding and securing your own student employment position. The Financial Aid Office maintains a job posting web site at www.siu.edu/~fao/jobs.
- For more information concerning student employment, check out our two student employment brochures. QUICK FACTS a guide to Federal Work Study and MONEY MATTERS a guide to finding a Student Employment job.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
I'm a graduate student and have an EGRAD award on my financial aid award notice, what is an EGRAD award?
- EGRAD is an estimated tuition award that is posted for all graduate students prior to financial aid packaging. This estimated tuition award appears as EGRAD on student's financial aid accounts and assumes, but does not guarantee, that the student will receive a graduate assistantship, fellowship, or other tuition-paying award. Historically, the majority of graduate students receive a tuition-paying award. However, these awards may not be officially approved/posted until after the normal financial aid packaging process is completed.
- Federal regulations require that all financial aid resources be counted in the processing of student loans. This includes any tuition-paying award. The EGRAD estimated tuition award allows the Financial Aid Office to process student loans for graduate students prior to their graduate assistantships, fellowships, or other tuition-paying awards being officially approved or posted. The EGRAD award tries to avoid an overaward situation for the graduate student. An overaward situation may result in student loans being reduced and in some cases, students having to repay loan funds that have already been disbursed.
- The EGRAD estimated tuition award will be changed to an actual award when the graduate assistantship, fellowship, or other tuition-paying award paperwork is officially submitted and processed. If you will not be receiving a tuition-paying award you may complete and submit a Removal of Estimated Tuition Award for Graduate Students form. Generally, you should not request the removal of this award until the end of the second week of the semester or at a time when you are certain that you will not receive a graduate assistantship or other tuition-paying award. Once submitted, the EGRAD estimated tuition award will be removed and the will be repackaged for maximum aid without a tuition award.
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