State Superintendent of Education: Financial Aid Checklist Office of the State Superintendent of Education State Superintendent of Education: Financial Aid Checklist

Financial Aid Checklist

This checklist is a useful guide for students as they go through the process of financial aid application. Students should complete each step, check off the task, and enter the dates, where necessary, for these important steps.

  1. Talk with the school counselor and begin selecting colleges and universities.
  2. Keep a copy of all forms completed in one central location.
  3. Contact colleges and the DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) office for applications and deadline dates.
  4. Check with colleges to see if they require a separate application for aid.
  5. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
         Date:
  6. Look for private scholarships and apply for private sources of aid. (Sept., Oct., Nov.)
  7. If planning to attend a public college outside the District or a private college in the District or the surrounding counties, apply to the DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG).
  8. Receive the Student Aid Report (SAR), ISIR or acknowledgement letter.
  9. File the DC LEAP application by the last Friday in June of each year.
         Date:
  10. Photocopy SAR and send the original to the college you plan to attend.
  11. Receive response from the LEAP program.
  12. Receive letter from school asking for missing information
         Date:
  13. Sent the missing information that was requested.
         Date:
  14. Receive award letter(s) from the Financial Aid Office(s)
         Date:
  15. Review all offers and make a decision on the school you will attend.
         Date:
  16. Send in admissions deposit and financial aid response letter.
         Date:
  17. Contact lender about Stafford loan, if needed, or sign promissory note for Direct Loan, if awarded by school.
  18. Complete registration and enrollment at the college.
         Date:
  19. Notify college(s) about changes in enrollment plans.
         Date:
  20. Notify any source of financial aid outside of your college or university about changes in enrollment plans.
         Date:
  21. Report other scholarships to the college financial aid office.
  22. Tell financial aid office about changes affecting family income.
  23. Receive LEAP and DCTAG financial awards.
         Date:
  24. DON'T FORGET TO APPLY EVERY YEAR THAT YOU CONTINUE SCHOOL.