News Archives - 2009
Financial aid deadline moved to Mar. 1
For those who enjoy an occasional peanut butter and bacon sandwich, March 1 is a day to celebrate. That's because in the U.S., where there's a national day of observation for every cause, interest, or organization imaginable, March 1 is National Peanut Butter Lover's Day and National Pig Day.
March 1 is also a very important day for students in the Day College at Augsburg because it is the deadline for students to submit financial aid paperwork for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Carly Eichhorst, Augsburg's associate director of financial aid, said the deadline was moved from April 15 to March 1 so that the financial aid office could process the paperwork and send an award letter to returning students by the end of the spring semester. "That gives families more time to determine financing options and come up with a plan," Eichhorst said.
With a detailed financial aid award letter in hand by the end of the school year, students and families will know how much, if any, they will pay out of pocket for tuition and fees. Eichhorst said students can decide if they want or need to use loans, begin a 12-month payment plan, save money from summer work, or have more time to search and apply for outside scholarships.
Junior psychology major, Joela Davis, is one who has already been working on completing his FAFSA and other financial aid paperwork for the approaching deadline. "I have struggled every semester to get to the next semester money-wise," Davis said.
Because his parents are unable to help him apply for supplemental loans because of debt they took on when his siblings were in college, Davis said he is taking all the aid he can to cover his tuition costs. "Carly in financial aid and Luis in the TRIO office have helped me find extra money so I can go to school. It's been very big for me."
Davis encourages all students to complete as much of their financial aid paperwork as possible by themselves. "It will help you in the long run," he said, "and will help you develop as a stronger person in the future."
If he attends graduate school as he hopes to do, Davis will possibly take on more debt but is not worried about that now. He says students shouldn't be afraid of loans that will help them get through college. "You shouldn't run away from it," he advises. "You can pay off your loans."
Go to the Enrollment Center in person or online to find out what paperwork is needed for a complete application.
