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Checklist for New Students

For students attending GSW and who have applied for financial aid, we recommend that you print out this page and check off each item as you complete it.


  •    ●  Be certain you are admitted to GSW as a degree-seeking undergraduate by contacting
  •        Admissions at www.gsw.eduu or by calling 800-338-0082.

     
  •    ●  Submit a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using information from
  •        the requested income tax returns as soon as possible after January 1st.

     
  •    ●  Obtain a PIN number, if you have not already received one from the federal processor. This will
  •        allow you to access, complete & electronically sign your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA; to view the
  •        status and results of your processed FAFSA; to make corrections to your Student Aid Report
  •        (SAR). For dependent students, one parent needs a PIN number to sign electronically also. The
  •        website is www.fafsa.ed.gov.

     
  •   ●   Access RAIN (Registration and Academic Information Network) so that you can check your
  •        financial aid, award and disbursement status online.

     
  •   ●   Once your file is complete and if you are selected for verification by the central processor, your
  •        information will go through a verification process. You may be required to submit further
  •        documentation before your financial aid can be awarded. You can access RAIN to determine if
  •        you file is complete.

     
  •   ●   Make sure your file is complete and verified (if required) to avoid delays in getting your financial
  •        aid funds. Delays could result in a "late fee" being added to the total amount owed to the
  •        university or possible deletion from classes.

     
  •   ●   Complete Entrance Counseling on line if you are a first-time loan borrower to GSW at
  •         www.mapping-your-future.org.

     
  •   ●   If you have been awarded financial aid or a scholarship, check RAIN to ensure your aid will pay
  •        your tuition and fees. If you have questions, you may check with the Office of Student Financial
  •        Aid (Sanford Hall) or call 229-928-1378.

     
  •   ●   Be prepared to pay your fees by the due date listed on your account. If your "awarded financial
  •        aid" will not cover all of your fees, you MUST pay the difference by the due date. If you feel that
  •        something is left off your award that you expected, please call 229-928-1378. You can pay your
  •        fees on line by going to your RAIN account.

     
  •   ●   You may accept your loan offer on line. However, you MUST complete an addendum. You can
  •        get this addendum on line by going to Forms, click on Stafford Loan Addendum, then print the
  •        form (you may also obtain the addendum by calling 229-928-1378). This form is required for
  •        loan processing. Also, if you have not signed a promissory note at GSW before, you will be
  •        asked to sign a Master Promissory Note. Until you have completed all these steps, no loan
  •        funds will be available to you even though the award has been made to you and accepted by you.