Southwestern | Financial Aid

It is never too soon to start thinking about the financial assistance opportunities available to you or to begin gathering the information you will need to apply for financial assistance. Our advice to you: Apply early! Scholarship and financial assistance funds are awarded to eligible students based on availability of funds, number of applicants, applicant attributes (including the student's academic profile), and timeliness of the application. Funds are limited, so we encourage you to meet all published application dates.

Deadline	Task
January 1	First day to complete FAFSA, at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Our School Code is 003620.
February	Watch your email or mailbox for your Student Aid Report (which is generated after you complete the FAFSA). When it comes, review it, and report any changes.
March 1	Priority Deadline for receipt of FAFSA by Financial Aid Office. You may use estimated tax figures to meet this deadline.
April	If you're a first-year student and your FAFSA was submitted on time, you will either receive your Award Notification Letter, or our request for additional information. Respond promptly to retain priority access to funding. Be sure to sign and return one copy of the award letter by the deadline indicated. Were you awarded loans on your Award Notification Letter? If you indicated that you want to accept loans when you returned your award letter, then loan instructions are on the way! You can speak with one of our financial aid counselors if you have any questions, or if your family has special circumstances to report. Attending Summer School? Complete the Summer Financial Aid Form by April 15th.
May	Inform the Financial Aid Office of any outside/private scholarships you will receive.
June	If you're a continuing student and your FAFSA was submitted on time, you will either receive your Award Notification Letter, or our request for additional information. Respond promptly to retain priority access to funding. Were you awarded loans on your Award Notification Letter? If so, your loans have already been certified and are waiting for you. Just refer to the Loan Instructions included with your Award Notification Letter to accept them online. You can speak with one of our financial aid counselors if you have any questions, or if your family has special circumstances to report.
July	Complete all steps of online loan processing to ensure proper credit of funds to your student account.
August	Get a job! You can now pursue student employment. If you were offered Federal Work Study funds and you're a first-year student, you'll be receiving Job Fair information soon.
September	Tuition was due in August: make sure you've finalized all loan processing to ensure proper credit to your account! If you're first-year student and didn't make it to the Job Fair, stop by the Financial Aid office for on-campus job information.
October	If you are thinking about dropping a course, you should review the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) guidelines that are detailed in your academic catalog. See your academic advisor for guidance, as well as your financial aid counselor.
November	It's time to pre-register for Spring courses. Your account must be paid in full.
December 1	Continuing Students: Prepare to complete your FAFSA on the web for next year. Early Decision Students: Submit EDFAF and prepare to complete your FAFSA on the web in January.

Important Dates

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