Financial Aid Application Process

"What do I do now?"

Grades 9-12

1. Work hard on improving your GPA, and take the ACT and/or SAT at least once by spring of your junior your.
    
2. Keep track of your activities so you'll have a complete record when it's time to fill out applications.
    
3. Find a part-time job in order to start saving for your education. Every little bit helps.

Fall of Senior Year

1. Obtain admission and financial aid information from your top colleges.
    
2. Read about Types of Aid available at Milligan.
    
3. Review our Glossary of Terms to help understand these financial aid terms and processes.
    
4. Read about the Value of a Milligan education.
    
5. Apply to Milligan.
   
   Once accepted at Milligan, you will immediately receive notification of your merit-based academic scholarship award (based on GPA and ACT/SAT). No additional scholarship application is necessary for merit-based aid for new students at Milligan.
    
6. Get an Estimate of your federal aid.
    
7. Begin search for private scholarships.

January/February of Senior Year

1. Gather info and complete federal tax return as soon after Jan. 1 as possible.
    
2. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1 (paper) or February 15 (online). The Federal Government uses the FAFSA to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your financial need ("cost of attendance" minus "EFC" = "need"). This information is then shared with those colleges you indicated on your FAFSA form. (See our Glossary of Terms to help understand these terms and processes.)
    
3. Watch your mailbox for the Student Aid Report (SAR), which should arrive a few weeks after you complete the FAFSA. This is an opportunity to make corrections to the original figures (especially if they are estimates) and get an idea of how much money your family will have to contribute for college.

Spring of Senior Year

1. Once Milligan receives the results of your FAFSA, the college will issue an initial Financial Aid Award letter and Instruction Book, beginning in March (if you have met priority deadlines). This official document details a breakdown of your financial aid package according to amount, source, type of aid, and what your family will be expected to pay. It will also contain the terms and conditions for the financial aid and information about cost of attendance.
    
2. Sign and return your award letter promptly, indicating whether you accept or decline each source of aid. (Some awards are first-come, first-serve.)
    
3. Make final decision and notify college of choice (national decision date: May 1).

Summer of Senior Year

1. Contact Admissions and Student Financial Services Office to verify completion of file.
    
2. Attend Connections Orientation at Milligan.
    
3. Complete budget for academic year.
    
4. Pack and head to college.

Also see our Checklist for College Planning.