January

Complete your "FAFSA" at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is the fastest way to apply for student financial aid. File online as soon after January 1, 2008 as possible. Priority deadlines for filing the FAFSA:

• All students should file their FAFSA by February 1, 2008
• Students should register for a pin for their FAFSA at www.pin.ed.gov before filing their FAFSA online.

• Respond to all requests from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships within 10 days of receipt of notification.
• Entering students should make an appointment to visit Purchase College and attend an Information Session offered by the Office of Admissions.

• New students should check their application status with the Office of Admissions.
• If you are a New York State resident, complete and return your "Express TAP Application". For more information about TAP see Step 3.
• If you are not a NYS Resident, check with your state's Department of Education for any available financial assistance.
• Financial Aid Award letters are sent on a rolling basis to admitted students who have applied for aid. The award letter will be sent by e-mail when possible.

• If you have been accepted to Purchase College prior to April 15, 2008, then you should submit your deposit to declare your intention to attend Purchase by May 1, 2008 (this is a national deadline). Students accepted after April 15th, 2008 have two weeks to submit their deposit.
• Review payment options to find the payment plan that meets your needs.

May

• Students who are first-time Stafford Loan borrowers at Purchase College and who have received a "Financial Aid Award Letter" will need to choose a bank they want to borrow from and are free to use any lender of their choice. Please return the "Award Letter" to the Financial Aid Office.
• Continuing students seeking financial aid for the upcoming summer school sessions, must complete a summer supplemental application for financial aid which is available in the Financial Aid Office.
  

July

• Your "Statement of Student Fees", also known as your college bill, will be mailed to you at home. If you have already been awarded financial aid, eligible award funds will be deducted on your Statement of Student Fees.

• Make sure all balances are paid in full and that all flags have been released.

September

• If you have been awarded funds from the "College Work-Study" program, make certain that you have an appointment with the Financial Aid Office for a job placement.

October

• The Office of Financial Aid recommends that all new matriculated students starting school in January complete their FAFSA form by November 15th, 2008. The FAFSA web address is: www.fafsa.ed.gov.

What are priority deadlines?

• All students should file their FAFSA by February 1, 2008.
• Priority deadlines increase the likelihood that you will be considered for all types of federal, state and institutional funds that you may be eligible to receive.
• Although you can file a FAFSA after the priority deadlines, you may not receive all of the assistance that you may be eligible for due to limited funding.
• Priority deadlines also apply to eligibility for need and merit based institutional scholarships.
• The sooner you file your FAFSA, the sooner you will be able to financially plan for your college expenses.
• In order to be considered for FINANCIAL AID, a complete and correct, signed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received by Purchase College before your last day of enrollment for the current school year.  Also, any Stafford and/or PLUS Loans must be certified by Purchase College before your last day of attendance for the current school year.