Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 aid year. Read about the FAFSA updates.
1. Apply to Shenandoah University
Contact the Office of Admissions to apply to Shenandoah University. Financial aid is not awarded until a student has been accepted to the university. However, if necessary, an estimate of aid available from Shenandoah can be made.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is updated every year by the U.S. Department of Education and is available for the upcoming academic year after October 1. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in applying for Federal Financial Aid. The FAFSA can be complete on-line here.
The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for aid such as grants, federal student and parent loans, and work-study. A good tool that can be used to estimate federal aid here.
It is strongly recommended students sign the FAFSA on-line by using their Federal Student Aid ID. Both students and their parents (if applicable) can obtain a Federal Student Aid ID.
To ensure Shenandoah University receives your FAFSA, be sure to list our Federal School Code: 003737.
The FAFSA must be filed each academic year in order to be considered for financial aid, with the exception of Shenandoah University’s academic scholarships.
Please note: Shenandoah must have your social security number on file to match your FAFSA results with your student account. Therefore, you cannot receive any federal aid package until your social security number is on file. Please call Financial Aid at 540-665-4538 to provide your number. For security purposes, never email you social security number.
Once we have received the results of your FAFSA, and you have been admitted as a degree-seeking student into Shenandoah University, we will begin the process of determining your eligibility for financial aid.
3. Submit Grant or Scholarship Applications
Complete any applicable grant or scholarship applications. Certain forms of financial aid at Shenandoah University have separate applications other than the FAFSA. It is important to ensure these forms are submitted to the Financial Aid Office prior to their due date. For example, the application for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) is due July 31, while the Virginia Conference United Methodist Scholarship application is due May 31.
4. Completing and Accepting Your Aid
You will receive your Financial Aid Package at your home address which can be kept for your personal records. Students will be able to accept or deny any offered awards through the Hornet Hub portal once this option has been made available to them.
It is normal to have questions about your aid, if you do please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 540-665-4538 or your Admissions Counselor at 540-665-4581.
If any of the items below appear on your Financial Aid Package they have been offered to you, now you must complete these steps to accept them:
Students who are borrowing a Federal Stafford Loan for the first time or have not borrowed in the past 10 years must complete Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note. These are both completed at studentaid.gov.
Domiciled residents of Virginia can apply for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant. The completed application must be printed and submitted to the Office of Financial Aid by July 31. Those who received VTAG at Shenandoah University in the previous award year at the same degree level do not need to reapply.
Members in good standing of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church may apply the United Methodist Scholarship. Dependents and spouses of ministers with the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church may apply for the Ministerial Grant. Current recipients need not reapply.
Parents applying for the Federal Parent PLUS Loan complete the application at studentaid.gov. Please specify the exact dollar amount.
First-time borrowers or parents who have not borrowed in the past 10 years must complete the Master Promissory Note, which is available at studentaid.gov.
If you receive scholarships from outside of Shenandoah University, please make our office aware by reporting them by selecting the “Report/View Outside Awards” tab from the menu in Hornet Hub.
5. A Few Students are Asked to Verify Their Tax Information
This process is called Verification. You maybe selected for Verification for a variety of reasons. If you have been selected, the Office of Financial Aid must verify your tax return information. All required forms and documents will be listed in Hornet Hub. You can also print the Verification Forms and submit them to the Office of Financial Aid.
Questions?
At Shenandoah we understand that Financial Aid is an important, and sometimes confusing, factor in your college search process. We are here to help you understand your Shenandoah University financial aid package and financial options. Contact the Office of Financial Aid.