Financial Aid Instructions
Applying for financial aid can seem overwhelming at first. Follow the instructions below to make the overall process simpler.
1. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.FAFSA.gov). LifeU’s school code is 014170.
- Complete the FAFSA for the upcoming 2020-2021 award year beginning October 1, 2019. The award year will include Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Winter 2021 and Spring 2021. *You will use the 2018 tax information to complete the FAFSA.
- Complete the FAFSA for the 2019-2020 award year beginning October 1, 2018. The award year will include Summer 2019, Fall 2019, Winter 2020 and Spring 2020. *You will use the 2017 tax information to complete the FAFSA.
LifeU’s priority deadline is January 15th. This means your FAFSA must be received by the school on or before January 15th to be reviewed for campus-based aid.
2. Undergraduate Georgia residents: Submit the required residency and HOPE evaluation forms (found here) to the Financial Aid Department.
3. EagleNet: Log in to view if any documents were requested before your eligibility can be reviewed (by clicking “Required Documents” in the Financial Aid module). Need assistance finding your awards? Click here!
4. Eligibility Award Letter: After your file has been reviewed and your financial aid eligibility determined, you will receive an email notification. The award letter will also be available in EagleNet. Make sure to review your checklist in EagleNet to ensure that all necessary requirements have been completed.
5. Complete your Federal Direct Loan requirements at www.studentloans.gov.
- Entrance Counseling – Complete new, or add LifeU’s school code (014170) to completed counseling
- Master Promissory Note – Complete, or verify you have a valid one
6. If your total financial aid is more than your tuition/fees, you can determine, based on your personal budget, if this amount is enough to meet the other costs of education (living expenses, books and supplies, etc.). If it is not, contact your Financial Aid Counselor about ways to reduce your expenses or other possible financing options.
Important Reminders:
- Applications submitted after January 15th are still considered for other types of aid; the priority date applies only to campus-based aid (Work Study and SEOG).
- In order to receive federal financial aid, you must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible Non-Citizen.
- Male citizens of the U.S. and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register with U.S. Selective Services at any post office or online.
- Students must be enrolled in courses counting towards their degree to be reviewed for aid eligibility. Federal aid cannot be awarded for courses that do not count toward the degree.
- Please keep in mind our primary means of communicating with you is through your student email. It is also very important that we have your correct mailing address. Update your mailing address through EagleNet.
You can always reach the Financial Aid Department directly here.
Important New Student Links
University Academic Advising
Student Accounts Office
Eagle Card Services
Important Federal Loan Information
Graduation Exit
Graduating students who received federal loans must complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling.
Detailed Loan History
All students should occasionally view their detailed federal loan history for accuracy through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This history will also help students to be aware of the total amount of federal loans they have borrowed and how much interest has accrued.
Visit www.NSLDS.ed.gov and click on “Financial Aid Review.” Students will need their FSA ID and password to access this information.
Loan Repayment Workshop
The Financial Aid Department holds a quarterly info session on federal loan repayment options. This is open to all students and held during week 7. Details about the workshop are posted on LifeU’s social media outlets, in LifeNews, and on the TV monitors throughout campus starting week 5 each quarter.
Both www.StudentLoans.gov and www.StudentAid.ed.gov are resources for detailed information on repayment plan options.