Step 1: Obtain your Personal Identification Number (PIN)

We strongly recommend that you complete your FAFSA online, and before you begin that process you will need to obtain a Federal Personal Identification Number (PIN).

You can apply for a PIN at the Department of Education's PIN site, www.pin.ed.gov, by selecting '‘PIN Request and Information'’ followed by '‘Apply for PIN'’.

The PIN serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. It's like the Personal Identification Number that you get from your bank that enables you to access your account. Because your PIN serves as your electronic signature, you should not give it to anyone. Once you are assigned a PIN, you can go online and change it to something that is easy for you to remember.

This PIN is good for both years at SFT. Your parents (if applicable) should apply for a separate PIN. It is also serves as an electronic signature for your loans as well.

You will be given two options:

Option 1: For the Department of Education to generate a random PIN number for you. This option will take just a few minutes for you to receive it via-email.

Option 2: To create your own PIN number. It could take up to 3 business days for you to be able to use it, because they will need to confirm your information with the Social Security Administration.

Step 2. File your FAFSA: All students

File your FAFSA online. SFT's Federal School Code is 031207.

New Fall Students: You can file your FAFSA as early as January 1 of the academic year in which you plan to enroll. You need to file your FAFSA by March 1st to receive a financial aid package reflecting your maximum eligibility for federal, and SFT funds. Remember, FAFSA applications are processed on a rolling basis; but you’ll need to allow 5-6 weeks to receive any aid for which you are eligible.

Best filing period: January 1 to March 1.

NOTE: If you file after March 1, we will continue the aid process on a rolling basis until the first day of classes. But if you do not file the FAFSA application by our suggested deadlines, you may not be eligible for certain types of aid.

Other Term Starts (all terms other than fall) New Students: You may still file your FAFSA at any time. While the application process is rolling, this does not necessarily mean that you will receive your aid at the same time as students who have filed earlier. For other term starts we suggest that you file your FAFSA by your admission application deadline.

NOTE: Please keep in mind that the longer you wait to file your FAFSA, the more protracted the process will be for you in terms of accessing aid in a timely manner. Also, some types of grants may no longer be available. File as early as possible.

Current Students: You need to file your FAFSA information every year for which you are seeking financial aid. If you have previously filed your FAFSA online, you must update your file online by March 1 and resubmit it (renewal FAFSA) in order to be considered for aid for the next academic year. If you filed a paper FAFSA application in the past, the Department of Education will email you to remind you to go online and complete a renewal FAFSA form that you will need to complete and submit by March 1.

Step 3: Review Your Student Aid Report

Carefully review the Student Aid Report, or SAR (for 2008-09 the SAR is orange) that you receive from the U.S. Department of Education. The SAR may include important information about the status of your application including missing information and/or a missing signature that must be completed. For on line filers this will be emailed to you.

If you want to electronically check the status of your SAR, click HERE.

If you want to print your SAR, click HERE.

If you want to make corrections to your FAFSA information, click HERE.

Follow the instructions to make corrections if necessary, and then keep the final SAR for your records. Do this even if you are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

Step 4: About Your Award Letter

Students are awarded on a rolling basis as SFT receives your completed FAFSA from the Department of Education. Therefore, the sooner you file your FAFSA the sooner you will receive your financial aid award letter.

Keep the financial aid award letter (and any revised award letters) for your own records. You should also keep a copy of all documents that you submit to the Financial Aid Office. Be certain that you understand the conditions of the awards. Advise the Financial Aid Office immediately if you receive an award of financial aid from any other source. A change in your resources may affect your financial aid.

New Students will also receive with the award letter any documents needed to complete their awards and file. Awards may be lost if these are not received, and changes to awards may occur based on the submitted documentation.

Continuing Students must submit all documents requested BEFORE any awards will be made. They will be contacted by letter if any documents are needed.

Step 5. Apply for PLUS or Alternative Loan (if needed)

Please go on line and complete the Federal PLUS Loan application at the lender of your choice or with one of these banks: Wachovia Bank, ED America , or Nelnet.

If you are interested in a private education loan you may explore options with Wachovia Bank.

Step 6. Complete Promissory Note and Entrance Interview

If you have not signed a Master Promissory Note for the Stafford loan you may do so at: master promissory note online.

Borrowing monies through the Federal Stafford Loan program requires that first-time borrowers complete Entrance Counseling by clicking here. You MUST do this on line when you complete your Stafford loan application.

Step 7. If Selected for Verification

Verification is a process required by the Federal Government and SFT to verify the accuracy of data submitted on the FAFSA for a percentage of financial aid applicants.

You will receive a letter from SFT only if you are selected for verification. The letter will contain a verification form and instructions on how to submit the appropriate documents. Financial Aid will not be disbursed to your account until the verification process is complete.

It is possible that when some documents are received that it may cause the need to collect additional documents.