Financial Aid Checklist

Follow these steps to apply for Financial Aid

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.go. Include the University of Dayton school code: 003127.
  2. Sign the FAFSA electronically using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. The US Department of Education replaced the FAFSA PIN with the FSA ID login system. You can create an FSA ID when logging into the FAFSA.
  3. Your financial aid award notification will be sent to your university email account. This will include specific steps about how to log into Porches. You’ll want to review your eligibility and accept or decline your loans at this time.
  4. If you accept the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, complete Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentloans.gov. Both the Entrance Counseling and MPN need to be completed in order for funds to be disbursed to your student account. You will need your FSA ID to log in and complete the processes.
    Note: There is a separate Master Promissory Note for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan.
  5. Many graduate and professional students borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan in addition to the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan to cover their tuition and expenses. The Graduate PLUS Loan is credit-based. Please visit studentaid.ed.gov for detailed information regarding PLUS Loan credit requirements.
  6. The financial aid office will notify you of your financial aid eligibility once your file is complete. Review your financial aid award and decide how much of the Graduate PLUS eligibility loan you’ll need to cover your charges/expenses. Once you have made the decision to apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, visit studentloans.gov to complete the Direct PLUS loan request.
  • If approved for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, complete a separate MPN for this loan.
  • If declined for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you can reapply with a co-signer (endorser) or appeal the denial through the Department of Education.
  1. If you have previously borrowed federal student loans, be sure to update your lender(s) with contact information and enrollment status (for loan deferment purposes). Log in on the StudentAid.gov homepage to review loan history and loan servicer details.

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