To be eligible for any federal or state financial aid, as well as most institutional aid, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Be registered with the Selective Service (if male, over 18 years of age)
• Not be in default on any prior educational loans and not owe a refund on an overpayment of any federal grant
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have received an official, written offer of admission into a degree granting program by the MMA Admissions Office
• Re-apply for aid each year (FAFSA and MMA Financial Aid Application)
• Returning students must be meeting the standards of the MMA Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (see applicable section in this handbook for details)
• Not have any convictions for the sale or possession of illegal drugs while receiving federal financial aid

Financial aid must be applied for each year by May 1st (for priority consideration) by completing both of the following steps.  Students who complete their files after our May 1^st priority deadline will be awarded funds available at the time they complete their file with the Financial Aid Office.  Federal work study and most grants are often not available after our priority deadline.

1. FAFSA (by May 1^st)

The FAFSA cannot be filed any earlier than January 1^st for the following fall semester, but families are encouraged to wait until after they have filed their federal income tax returns before filing the FAFSA (as long as that will happen before May 1^st). This may be done online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  List MMA’s school code, 002181, to ensure the results will be shared with the Academy. If the FAFSA is filed after filing your taxes, the FAFSA will give you the opportunity to pull your income information directly from the IRS.  If taxes have not yet been filed, the FAFSA can be completed using estimated end-of-year earnings, or the previous year’s tax return, however you must go back into the FAFSA after filing taxes to have the income information automatically pulled into the FAFSA from the IRS. This is why it is recommended that you wait until you have filed your income tax return before filing the FAFSA.  By completing a FAFSA, you are applying for federal, state and institutional aid so be certain to confirm your state’s deadline for completion (found on the “deadline” link at the website).

2. MMA FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION (by May 1^st)

This application provides the Financial Aid Office with anticipated enrollment information to assist in determining a student’s cost of attendance.

 Incoming Students- Beginning in late January/early February, a Financial Aid Application is mailed to all incoming students after acceptance has been extended by the Admissions Office.  If the student has been selected for a process called ‘verification’ by the Department of Education, the student will receive correspondence from the MMA Financial Aid Office via email requesting any necessary documentation.

 
Once this information has been received and reviewed, a financial aid award letter will be mailed to the student.  Financial Aid is awarded for specific semesters.  If a student does not enroll in a given semester, the financial aid awarded for that semester is automatically canceled. 

 Returning Students - The MMA Financial Aid Application is mailed to all spring semester enrolled students in February. If the student does not receive an application, it is his/her responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office to request one. Students that have been selected for a process called ‘verification’ by the Department of Education will receive an email correspondence from the MMA Financial Aid Office requesting additional documentation.  

 Once the student’s completed application has been received and reviewed, a financial aid award letter will be emailed to the student’s MMA email address.

Financial Aid is awarded for specific semesters.  If a student does not enroll in a given semester, the financial aid awarded for that semester is automatically canceled. 

 Special Circumstances

 If your family has any unusual expenses, or has experienced a recent change in their financial situation, you are encouraged to submit a written appeal to the MMA Financial Aid Director.  In some cases, we can make adjustments to your application based on this information.  Letters should include details regarding the special circumstances that your family wishes to have considered during the financial aid awarding process.

Changes in Student Marital Status

 If a student files the FAFSA as a dependent student, and marries after filing the FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office may correct the student’s FAFSA, changing his/her dependency to independent and adding the spouse’s income and asset information.  Our policy is to make changes only for students who marry after filing the FAFSA but before September 1^st of an academic year.  Students who marry after September 1^st will not have any corrections made and will remain dependent until filing a new FAFSA for the following academic year.

last updated 9-25-12 by ckedski@maritime.edu