The priority deadline to complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA is March 15, 2009. The FAFSA can be completed after the priority deadline; however, students who complete the FAFSA after the priority deadline of March 15 may not have their financial aid finalized by the deadline to pay the Fall or Spring semester bill, may have their schedule cancelled, and may incur a late fee on their student account.

1. After completing the 2009-2010 FAFSA, you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) either by mail or email. You should check the SAR for any discrepancies or errors. If you find anything that needs to be corrected, you can make those changes on the paper SAR and mail it to the Central Processing Center, or you can log into your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov and make corrections online. You can always check the status of your submitted 2009-2010 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.



2. Approximately 30% of all FAFSAs are selected for a process called verification. If you are selected for verification, Appalachian must receive documentation to verify that the FAFSA information is correct. You will receive a letter if you are selected for verification. The letter will inform you of the documents you will be required to submit, and will provide you with instructions for downloading and printing these documents from the Office of Student Financial Aid’s website. Links to the required documents are also available by logging into AppalNet and clicking on “Financial Aid.” Your financial aid will not be processed until all required documents have been received and verification has been completed.



3. Once all required documentation has been received and processed, you will receive an award letter via mail to the permanent home address on file for the student. The 2009-2010 award letters for students entering in the Fall 2009 semester will be mailed out beginning mid to late March. The 2009-2010 award letters for continuing students will be mailed out beginning in mid- to late-May. The student should take action by accepting or declining the offered financial aid within three weeks of the date on the award letter. Financial aid awards can be accepted or declined by either returning the paper award letter by mail to the Office of Student Financial Aid, or by logging into AppalNet and clicking on “Financial Aid” to accept or decline online.