• Go to the following website www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete your FAFSA application.  If the website you are on asks you for any form of payment for completing your FAFSA, you have gone to an incorrect web address!

• To simplify the application process:
  • Gather required documents and other information ahead of time.
  • Complete the 2012-13 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet:

http://edicsweb.ed.gov/edics_files_web/04703/Att_2012-2013%20FOTW%20Worksheet.pdf  

Please DO NOT mail your worksheet to the Department of Education.

• MUSC’s school code is 003438.
• You will need your 2011 federal tax return to answer some of the questions on this application. If you have not filed, you may estimate. Should you estimate your income on your FAFSA, you must make the necessary corrections once your taxes are completed.
• If you have filed your 2011 federal tax return, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when completing your FAFSA application.

Filling Out a FAFSA

• If you need a PIN, go to http://studentloans.gov and create a FAFSA User ID and Password to start the FAFSA process.
• Answer challenge questions for security purposes.   Challenge answers are case sensitive!
• Call the FAFSA Helpline at (800) 433-3243 for FAFSA online assistance or to check status of the submitted FAFSA.
• Enter Student and Parent(s) (if you are a dependent student) 2011 Federal Tax Information (example: 1040, 1040a, or 1040EZ) on 2012-13 FAFSA or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if you and your parent(s) (if applicable) have already completed 2011 IRS Tax Return.
• If 2011 Federal Tax Returns are not done yet, use the 2011 W-2 Forms to enter income information and make corrections to your FAFSA. Please remember to update the information after filing taxes.
• If you do not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, and if you are selected for verification, you will need to request a tax transcript from the IRS and turn in a signed copy to the MUSC Financial Aid Office. This can delay the processing of your aid.
• Enter MUSC School Code number: 003438
• Enter a working email for where you want your FAFSA results sent.
• Save each page as you complete each page. You can Save FAFSA to finish later if necessary.
• Students can Sign Electronically With PIN or a parent can Sign Electronically With PIN.
• When the FAFSA is submitted a “FAFSA Submitted Confirmation Page” will appear.
• Be sure to print the “FAFSA Successfully Submitted Confirmation Page” for your records.
• Remember to exit once you have saved and submitted FAFSA.
• To open your saved FAFSA or Correction Application, you will need the student user ID and password to access the saved FAFSA.

Note: If you intend to apply for a Health and Human Services loan, you will need to provide your parents' information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). Your parents will need their own PIN to access the IRS web site. If your parent(s) do not have a PIN or need to request a duplicate PIN, they can apply for one by going to: http://studentloans.gov

FAFSA Follow-Up

• View your FAFSA results online by entering your student user ID and password. The site will show the status of the application, and allow corrections to be made to a processed FAFSA as well as offer other information.
• Once the FAFSA is submitted, the Financial Aid Office will retrieve FAFSA results, then package the 2012-13 Financial Aid.

Step 2: Complete an MUSC Loan Request

• Please complete the appropriate MUSC loan request for the loans that you are interested in receiving for the 2012-2013 academic year.
  
  For detailed information, please click on this link: Loans.

Undergraduate student loan options:

Federal Direct Stafford Loans
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
Private/Alternative Student Loan

Graduate student loan options:

Federal Direct Stafford Loans
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Step 3: Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN)

• The MPN is an agreement between you and the US Department of Education that you will pay them back upon the agreed terms of your MPN.
• You will need to complete an MPN for each loan type you are interested in receiving for the 2012-2013 academic year. Returning students will not need to complete a new MPN.
• If your GradPLUS loan was approved with an endorser (cosigner), you will also need to complete a new MPN for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Step 4: Complete Entrance Counseling

• All New Students should complete Entrance Counseling for each loan type you are interested in receiving for the 2012-2013 year.
• Returning Students who had Direct Loans for the 2011-2012 year, Entrance Courseling is not required.

Additional Form (if applicable)

• Health and Human Services Programs Application Form

Several excellent sources of funding are available from the Department of Health and Human Services to students enrolled in Dental Medicine, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. For additional information on these programs, and if interested in applying, students should refer to the 2012-2013 HHS Programs Application. You will also need to complete Health Professions Student Loan Entrance Counseling.

Note: If you intend to apply for a Health and Human Services loan, you will need to provide your parents' information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). Your parents will need their own PIN to access the IRS web site. If your parent(s) do not have a PIN or need to request a duplicate PIN, they can apply for one by going to: http://studentloans.gov

Please Note: Financial aid materials may be e-mailed to applicants prior to acceptance into MUSC. Receipt of financial aid materials from the Office of Financial Aid Services should in no way be interpreted as an admissions offer into one of the six Colleges of the University.