Financial Aid Checklist

Looking for financial aid to help pay for college? Be sure to check off every step on our checklist, from filing for aid to finding a scholarship that’s right for you!

Applying for Aid

Following the steps below can help you receive money to help pay for college

Preparing for the FAFSA

  • The FAFSA is the first step to securing financial aid to help you pay for college
  • The information you provide on the FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid from the federal and state levels.
  • Watch this 2-minute video to learn how the FAFSA works:

  • Contributors are people who need to complete information on the FAFSA. This does not mean they have a financial obligation to pay for your education.
  • Contributors provide consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly from the IRS into the FAFSA, then sign it.
  • Contributors could be…
    • You (the student)
    • Biological or adoptive parent
    • Parent’s spouse (a step-parent)
    • Student’s spouse

Learn more about what a contributor is in this 2-minute video:

You must complete this step at least three days before attempting to complete the FAFSA. Do it now so you’re ready!

  • Your FSA ID is a username and password that gives you access to your student aid account
  • Go to studentaid.gov and follow the instructions to create your account
  • If you’ve filled out the FAFSA before, you already have an FSA ID. Check your account and reset your password if you don’t remember it.

Watch this quick video to review the FSA ID setup process:

 

Having this info ready to go ahead of time will help you avoid delays
  • For each of your contributors (see step 1), you will need:
    • Name
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Date of birth
    • Email address
  • Each contributor must provide consent on the FAFSA to allow their tax info to be automatically shared from the IRS
    • If a contributor refuses to provide consent, you will be ineligible for need-based financial aid programs
  • Other helpful documents contributors might want to gather to ensure accuracy:
    • Tax returns
    • Records of child support received
    • Current balances of savings and checking accounts
    • Net worth of investments
    • Net worth of businesses and farms

Watch this two-minute video on gathering info for the FAFSA:

Contact the Office of Financial Aid if you need help or have questions.

  • Meet the basic eligibility criteria to qualify for aid.
  • Create a StudentAid.gov Account before starting your FAFSA form. Your StudentAid.gov Account username and password are needed to sign the FAFSA, complete your Master Promissory Note and Loan Counseling, and review the federal student aid you’ve received.

See Who Needs a FSA ID

Access the FAFSA

Before applying, you must have a current Manhattan Tech admission application on file and a student account set-up. The FAFSA is not required, but encouraged to be considered for need-based scholarships. Completing your Manhattan Tech Foundation Scholarship Application will open you up, depending on your qualifications, to every scholarship listed in our database. 

Don’t forget to complete your Manhattan Tech Scholarship Application every year! We award throughout the year, so apply even if you miss the priority deadline.

Learn more about Manhattan Tech Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid uses your Manhattan Tech email and Financial Aid Portal to communicate financial aid information and changes to your account. Emails and messages are sent throughout the aid year.

After processing your FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). The FSS is a summary of your FAFSA data and will display your Student Aid Index (SAI), which is used to determine your aid eligibility. Manhattan Tech will receive your FAFSA information after the federal processor processes it. Once received by Manhattan Tech, you can track your progress using the Financial Aid Portal.

Checking Your Status

LOGIN TO YOUR FINANCIAL AID PORTAL

You'll need your Manhattan Tech username and password. Once logged in, "Your Required Documents" can be accessed utilizing the menu in the upper left-hand section of the home page. Be sure you are in the correct award year by referencing the upper right-hand corner.

Corrections & Verification

  • If your file has been selected for verification or additional documentation is requested, you will be notified through your Manhattan Tech email. You must turn in all documents to receive your official financial aid offer.
  • Learn how to correct or update your FAFSA form

Once your FAFSA has been received and all requirements have been met, watch for your official financial aid notification. Students with unsatisfied requirements will receive an estimated financial aid notification. Once you’ve received your offer letter, take some time to read through it. Visit Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer for help. Official offers are based on your Student Aid Index (SAI), grade level, enrollment status and other factors. View How Aid is Calculated for more information.

You’ll view, accept and/or decline each item in your financial aid offer in your Financial Aid Portal. Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted.

  • Go to your Financial Aid Portal.
  • Login and choose the correct year in the upper right hand corner, then select the menu and click on "Accept Awards" and then change the status dropdown on the aid types from "Pending" to "Accept" OR "Decline" and then click the submit button.

Receiving Aid

After qualifying for financial aid, first-time borrowers will have extra steps to receive aid.

If you are a first-time borrower at Manhattan Tech and have accepted Federal student loans you will need to complete Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note before your loans will be disbursed (paid) to your account. Tutorials are available to assist you.

  • Even if you have already accepted your loans in your Financial Aid Portal, your federal student loans will not disburse until these two steps have been completed.
Note: If you are offered a Federal Direct Subsidized loan, accept it before your Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan

Student bills are generated by the Business Office. Once bills are available, you can view your bill in MATC Online. Your financial aid will be applied to your current tuition and fee charges first.

  • If financial aid is canceled or does not pay all tuition and fees, you are responsible for the remaining charges.
  • Avoid having your classes canceled by setting up a payment plan or paying your tuition and fee charges in full.
  • If the amount of your refundable financial aid is greater than your bill for the semester tuition and fees you will receive a refund from the Business Office via direct deposit or paper check. Set up Direct Deposit online.
  • If you need additional financial aid assistance, the following options might be available.
Changes in enrollment or other factors may result in award revisions and/or a balance due. Refunds issued to you that you are no longer eligible for must be returned. Talk to Financial Aid before changing enrollment or withdrawing from classes to understand the impact to your aid and eligibility.

Maintaining Eligibility

To remain eligible for financial aid, students will need to meet several requirements.

  • File a FAFSA and complete the Manhattan Tech Foundation Scholarship Application each semester
  • Monitor Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Manage your Federal Student Loans
    • Dependent undergraduates may borrow up to $31,000 in Federal Direct Loans
    • Independent undergraduates may borrow up to $57,500 in Federal Direct Loans
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
    • The same class may only be taken twice with a D grade or higher to be eligible for financial aid
  • Talk to Financial Aid before changing enrollment or withdrawing from classes to understand the impact to your aid and eligibility

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