The Ultimate Guide To Arizona State University Financial Aid
Arizona State University is known for being relatively generous with the money they award in their financial aid and grant packages, but the process can definitely be time-consuming and confusing. If you’re feeling lost, consider this guide to Arizona State University financial aid. You’ll keep your sanity, stay organized, and believe me, your wallet will thank you later!
1. Make a note of all of ASU’s financial deadlines!
The Federal Application for Free Student Aid, or FAFSA, was available beginning in October of 2016. Make sure you file your FAFSA by the priority date of January 1st, 2017 to better your chances of receiving aid! If you miss the deadline, then don’t worry. You will still be eligible for financial aid, but be sure to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible!
2. Know that you can easily contact ASU’s financial aid office!
Paying for college can be really overwhelming, so it’s important to take advantage of any resources that ASU has to offer. For starters, look at their website for up-to-date and detailed information about financial aid.
Arizona State University financial aid can also be contacted by phone at 855-278-5080, and if you’re near campus, you can walk into the office. ASU also has a really awesome feature on their website where you can chat live with an employee from the university if you need help!
3. Keep a list of everything you need to submit to qualify and apply!
Stay organized so that you don’t miss a deadline and panic at the last minute! Be sure to get your financial aid applications out of the way early so you can deal with any issues that may come up before you start classes – the stress of paying for school alongside the stress of starting college classes is not a fun combination. You want to get everything sorted out as early as you can, so keep a list and stay on top of it!
Some things you will need to complete the FAFSA include:
- Your 2016 tax returns
- Your parents’ 2016 tax returns
- You parents’ income information
4. Pay attention to every one of the requirements!
More detailed instructions can be found on ASU’s financial aid website. For example, you won’t be eligible for aid if you aren’t a full-time students (12+ undergraduate credits). Each part of the financial aid process requires a lot of documents and there’s a lot to remember, so pay attention to what each steps asks for. If you apply for scholarships, make sure you keep track of what each one is asking you specifically so you qualify for all of them. ASU has a detailed list of grants available here!
5. Expect a financial aid amount to be awarded in early March.
ASU states that they begin notifying about their financial aid offers the first week of March. Check your e-mail and stay alert so that you can accept your offer the second you get it!
6. Check online and in the mail to see what you were given!
When a decision is made, ASU will notify you of your FAN – Financial Aid Notification – via your e-mail. They will also send a copy to you in the mail! You also want to accept your financial aid package immediately, and definitely before May 1st. This way, your aid is reserved for you and you only.
7. Do not forget to send in your deposit since it reserves your place in the freshmen class!
In addition to reserving your financial aid, you’re also going to need to reserve your actual place in the freshmen class. ASU asks that you send in a $300 enrollment deposit by May 1st, 2017. You can do this online here.
8. What’s the total damage going to be?
College definitely isn’t cheap, but that’s why we have financial aid! The cost of attendance at ASU also differs depending on whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student, and it varies depending on where you choose to live (or if you choose to live on campus at all). A typical year at ASU for an Arizona resident runs between $22,110 and $28,804. A higher-end estimate for an out-of-state student is around $44,634/year. This cost includes a base tuition/fees cost (of roughly $10,000 for in-state and $26,000 out-of-state), as well as the differing costs for housing, books, meals, and supplies. A more detailed breakdown can be found here.
9. And how much will my financial aid count towards that?
More than 80% of students typically receive some sort of aid from ASU, which is a very promising statistic! The average amount for grants and scholarships from ASU is around $9,301.
10. If you have extenuating circumstances, you can always appeal!
ASU understands that sometimes there are circumstances outside of a student’s control, so they always allow appeals when necessary. Your financial aid package could be reviewed if the situation calls for it. For more info on this, visit ASU’s Special Circumstances page.
