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Financial Aid A Guide For Students and Parents

A Guide to Completing FAFSA

The most crucial step is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application determines your eligibility for various financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. We encourage you to start your application early and reach out to us if you have any questions. Your financial aid journey is important to us, and we're here to support you every step of the way. The application period will begin on December 31, with the priority deadline for La Sierra University being April 2, 2024.

Navigating the financial aid process can be overwhelming, for students and parents alike, especially if it's your first time. If you find the process confusing, don't worry! We're here to help. Reach out to our Student Financial Services office for assistance. Applying early is key to ensuring that you recieve the most financial aid you are eligible for. We encourage all students to file their FAFSA each year as soon as it becomes available for the school year in which they will enroll.

Application Deadline

  • FAFSA applications may be completed as early as December 31, the year before you plan to attend college. For example, students planning to attend Fall 2024 may fill out their 2024-2025 school year FAFSA on December 31 of 2023. 
  • We strongly suggest that you file your FAFSA by our April 2 priority deadline. Funds are limited for many programs, and are awarded on a first-come, first-awarded basis. La Sierra does not guarantee that all students that apply for the FAFSA by April 2 will receive these funds, but it's the best way to maximize your aid offer.
  • FAFSA applications received after this date will be considered on a funds available basis only. Income estimations are acceptable on the FAFSA and any necessary corrections can be made further down the line using the Data Retrieval Tool. Contact your Financial Aid Counselor before making any correction.
Creating an Account

To get started, the student and parent(s)will need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, which acts as an electronic signature for your FAFSA application. You'll also need to provide consent to use your previous year's (2022) tax information.

If your parents are married and filed taxes jointly, they can use one FSA ID for the FAFSA. However, if they filed separately, both parents will need to create their own FSA IDs.

FAFSA's New Look
  1. Reduced Number of Questions: The form has been simplified to make it more user-friendly.
  2. Student Aid Index (SAI) Replaces Expected Family Contribution (EFC): The new terminology aims to provide a clearer understanding of its purpose.
  3. Changes in Reporting Parental Information: For divorced or separated parents, the financial information of the parent with whom the student lives for the majority of the time is required.
  4. Expanded Eligibility for Pell Grants: Adjustments in the eligibility criteria for Pell Grants allow more students to qualify.

Points to Remember

Gather necessary documents and double check information:
Before starting the FAFSA, ensure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, tax records, and any records of untaxed income. Make sure all personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, is entered correctly, as well as providing accurate information about your income.

Listing Schools:
Don’t forget to include all the schools you are considering attending, even if you haven't been accepted yet. We encourage you to include La Sierra University on your list of schools. By including us on your FAFSA, you can take the first step toward joining our community and pursuing your educational goals with us.

La Sierra University FAFSA Code: 001215

Review and Submit:
Review your FAFSA carefully before submitting it to ensure all information is correct. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation page. Save a copy of your completed FAFSA and contact us with your SAI so that we can prepare an estimate for you. If you have questions or need assistance while filling out the FAFSA, don't hesitate to contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center or one of our Financial Aid administrators.

Dates to Remember:
Be aware of deadlines for submitting your FAFSA, as well as any additional forms required by your chosen schools or state financial aid programs.

Following Up:
After submitting your FAFSA, follow up with us at Financial Services to learn about any additional forms or information we may need to continue finalizing your Financial Aid Packet. Help us by staying organized, keeping copies of all documents and correspondence related to your FAFSA, in case you need to refer back to them later.

Tips for Parents

Navigating the FAFSA process with your student can be a daunting task, but fear not! We've compiled a list of handy tips to help you smoothly sail through this important financial aid application.

Create an FSA ID:
It's recommended that both parents create an FSA ID and participate in filling out the FAFSA if they are married or in a legal partnership. If parents are divorced or separated, only the custodial parent and their spouse (if applicable) should fill out the FAFSA.

Filling out the Form:

  1. If eligible, use the IRS DRT to transfer tax information directly from the IRS to the FAFSA.
  2. This can simplify the process and reduce the chance of errors. Make sure to answer the questions about the parent's marital status, household size, and number of children in college. This information helps determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
  3. Both the student and one parent must sign the FAFSA using their FSA IDs. Review the information carefully before submitting to ensure accuracy.

Docs & Forms

Download and print forms necessary for financial aid and services.
Missing paperwork?

Contact Info

sfs@lasierra.edu
951-785-2175
951-785-2942 (Fax)

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., CLOSED for lunch (12-1pm)
Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

During the school year, all service offices close on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for University Worship.

Office Location

Administration Building, Room 101.

Connect with us

SFS Social Media @lasierrasfs

Financial Aid Timeline / Checklist

January

  • Make sure you've applied to La Sierra, and completed your FAFSA (La Sierra’s FAFSA code is 001215).
  • La Sierra’s early admissions acceptance begins.

February

  • Attend a FAFSA & Scholarship Workshop (dates/times on OrgSync & School Calendar).
  • Submit Cal Grant GPA verification (due March 2).
  • Reserve a spot in the summer freshmen orientation program.
  • Apply for scholarships.
  • Current students only: apply for endowed scholarships through the Advancement office.

March

  • File taxes as early as possible. Recommend e-filing.
  • Track your Cal Grant application status at www.calgrants.org .
  • Schedule an appointment for a financial estimate with a La Sierra University enrollment counselor.

April

  • Watch for your La Sierra award notification letter from the office of Student Financial Services.

May

  • Turn in all documents requested by La Sierra’s Student Financial Services to complete your financial aid file by May 20.

June-August

  • Complete any paperwork necessary for your student loans to be processed.
  • Finalize your payment plan with La Sierra’s Student Financial Services.

September

  • Make your first payment by September 10.
  • Buy your books before classes begin.

October

  • File your FAFSA for next year.
 

Useful webpages:

Useful Phone Numbers:

  • FAFSA: 1-800-4-FEDAID
  • Cal Grant: 1-888-CA-GRANT
  • IRS Transcript: 1-800-829-3676
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