1. Financial Aid 101: Starting the Application Process

2. Financial Aid 101: The Federal Student Aid PIN
You will need a Federal Student Aid PIN in order to sign the FAFSA electronically as well as to sign on to the website to complete their Entrance Counseling and MPN.
If you do not have a PIN, you can apply for one when completing the FAFSA or online at The PIN application must be verified by the Social Security Administration before the PIN is considered active. You have limited use of your new PIN until it has been verified by the SSA (can sign a new FAFSA but cannot access other websites).
You have the option to select your own 4-digit PIN, so you can make it something easy to remember.
If you already have a PIN, but has forgotten it, you can “Request a Duplicate PIN” online at

3. Financial Aid 101: Applying for Financial Aid
The application process and a lot of other great tools are provided on our public website. From the Ottawa University homepage ( click on the “Adult Campuses” on the top of the main page. Hover over “Tuition and Financial Aid” and select “Applying for Financial Aid”.
To apply for financial aid, you must complete:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at (Ottawa’s school code = )
The Direct Loans Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at
The Ottawa University Institutional Application
You must also provide any additional documents requested by the financial aid department in a timely fashion, which may include: signed copies of your Federal tax returns, W-2s, Non-tax filer form, Verification Worksheet, Monthly Expense Statement, Selective Service verification, proof of citizenship, etc. Failure to submit ALL requested documentation will result in you being unable to use financial aid until requested materials are received.

4. Financial Aid 101: Applying for Financial Aid
WARNING:
DO NOT enter your information at
First word of FAFSA is FREE – fafsa.com charges money to use their site. This is a third-party site not affiliated with the federal government.
Make you are using the correct link:
(Needs to end in .gov)

5. Financial Aid 101: The “FAFSA”
The FAFSA application must be completed once per year and requires tax information to be entered from the previous year. For example, the application requires 2012 tax information.
The FAFSA is required to determine your eligibility for Federal grants and loans and is the first step you should complete when applying for financial aid.

6. Financial Aid 101: Applying for Financial Aid
Records of Taxable & Untaxable Income Received
W-2 Forms
Federal Tax Returns
You may also need the following records if such financial circumstances are applicable to you.
Investment Records
Business/Farm Records
What items do I need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Note: Once you complete the FAFSA application, the Department of Education could select your application for verification and additional documentation may be required (i.e., IRS tax return transcript).

7. Financial Aid 101: The Entrance Counseling and MPN
All new students using Financial Aid for the first time, must complete the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note(MPN).
You must sign in with your PIN to access these items.
The Entrance Counseling only has to be completed once.
The MPN is valid for 10 years.

8. The Institutional Application
Financial Aid 101:
The Institutional Application
This application updates frequently. Click here and go to Step 3 for the most recent form:
PAGE 1:
Be sure to indicate:
How many credits per term you plan to take (No blank spots or X’s)
How many credits you are transferring (if any) – This determines your grade level for funding.

9. The Institutional Application
Financial Aid 101:
The Institutional Application
PAGE 2:
Choose only one option and enter the amount requested.
Keep in mind that the amount you request will be equally divided over the next 4 terms.