INTRODUCTION

All students who want financial aid must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for all need based aid.  Need based aid includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Colorado Student Grants, Federal and State Work Study, Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (Federal Stafford and PLUS Loans).  It is important to understand that this application is the FIRST step of the financial aid process.  It takes time (and sometimes patience and persistence!) to complete this process.

To introduce you to the world of financial aid, we have outlined the steps of the application process.

• APPLY EARLY  Complete the FAFSA or Renewal Application as soon after January 1st of each year as possible.  FAFSA's are available in our office in CN-116.   You may also apply through the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. If you completed a FAFSA for the current year and have not received your Renewal application by January 1st, you should complete a FAFSA for the next year's aid.  The priority application deadline is March 1st each year.  The processor must receive your application by this date for you to be considered a priority applicant.  The initial application determines your eligibility for a wide variety of financial assistance.  Incomplete or incorrect items or application documents may cause delays in the processing of your application.  Therefore, it is very important that you complete all documents and submit them to the appropriate agency of the Office of Financial Aid by the deadlines.  Falsification of information on application forms or verification forms for federal financial assistance is considered a criminal offense, and you may be subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code
• BE ADMITTED TO THE MET  You must be admitted as a degree-, certificate- or licensure-seeking student to be awarded financial aid.  Please contact the Office of the Registrar, CN-105 to determine what is needed.
• REVIEW YOUR STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR)  You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail as a result of your FAFSA or Renewal Application.  Your (SAR)  usually arrives about six weeks after you mail your application to the processor.  Check your SAR to make sure all information is correct. If the information is correct, keep the SAR form your records.  If you need to make corrections, you should send the corrected SAR to the address listed on the signature page.  You (and your parent(s) if your are a dependent student) must sign the corrected SAR.  We can usually make the SAR corrections for you electronically after the Fall semester has started.
• RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO ALL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION  Once we have received notification of your record from the processor, our office may contact you regarding additional information needed to complete your file.  This information may consist of tax returns, family size statements, and/or other types of verification or information documents.  One of the most commonly requested documents is the federal income tax return.  If you do not have copies available, you may request tax listings (form 17-22) from the IRS.  To find out if your file is complete, call our automated voice response system at (303) 573-2660 and follow the voice instructions to access your file.
• WATCH FOR YOUR AWARD NOTICE  Once your file is complete and we have awarded you financial aid, you will receive a Financial Aid Award Notice.  Your money  will be released or mailed by the Office of Student Accounts and will reflect a reduction for any tuition and fee charges owed to the college.

STUDENT BUDGETS
(COST OF ATTENDANCE)

The Office of Financial Aid determines your budget using State of Colorado guidelines and federal regulations.  Because each student has different expenses, each budget has a miscellaneous amount calculated into the total budget.  Budget figures will be updated as soon as possible each year; however, you may safely assume that as with everything else, the cost of attending college will increase.

If you have children, your budget may include childcare.  If you are enrolled in aerospace classes or plan to participate in study abroad, your budget may be adjusted to allow for the extra expenses of these programs.  Please refer to the study abroad and aerospace brochures available in the Office of Financial Aid.

BUDGETS FOR THE 1999-00 ACADEMIC YEAR 

* Miscellaneous costs include clothing, laundry, medical/dental, recreation, etc. and allow flexibility to accommodate lifestyles.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

STUDENT RIGHTS

    You have the right to:

• Know what financial assistance is available, including all federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs;
• know the application deadline for each of the financial assistance programs;
• Know how your financial need is determined;
• Know what resources are considered in the calculation of your financial need;
• Know how much of your financial need as determined by Metro State has been met;
• An explanation of the various programs in your student package;
• Equitable treatment in the consideration of your application for financial aid; and
• Copies of all policies with which you are expected to comply.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

    It is your responsibility to:

• Review the financial aid programs at ropolitan State College of Denver;
• Comply with all Met and Office of Financial Aid deadlines;
• Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the renewal application completely for each year you plan to attend Metro State ;
• Respond promptly to all requests for additional documentation, verification items, corrections and/or new information;
• Read and understand all forms you are asked to submit or sign;
• Keep copies of all forms that you sign or are required to submit (you are legally responsible for all agreements that you sign);
• Notify the Office of the Registrar of any changes in your name or address (you are responsible for keeping all lenders and loan agencies informed of address changes);
• Know what portions of your financial aid award must be repaid and what portions are grant aid (if the aid is a loan, you are responsible for knowing the terms of your loan);
• Comply with Metro State s Refund/Repayment Policy should you withdraw from the college; and
• Comply with Metro State s Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Back to Top

©
PO BOX 173362 Denver, CO 80217
303-556-2400