The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) offers these five tips for surviving the financial assistance process:

TIP #1
Open and read all mail, and encourage your student to do the same. Loyola's financial assistance materials are time sensitive. Once a student has a Loyola e-mail address, Loyola will also communicate via e-mail, so make sure your student checks his or her University e-mail account regularly

TIP #2
Don't be shy about asking questions. Our job is to help your family feel comfortable by breaking down the financial assistance process into individual steps. Also, you and your son or daughter may track any needed steps using the To-Do List in the Student Center in LOCUS.

TIP #3
If anything changes, please let us know. Job loss, unusual medical expenses, natural disasters, or other circumstances may change your financial situation. OSFA can re-examine your situation to address special circumstances. The Special Circumstance Appeal Form is available online.

TIP #4
Be aggressive about looking for scholarships. Most scholarships are provided by outside organizations or local foundations. Here are five Web sites that you and your student should check out:

FastAid Free Scholarship: Online access to a scholarship database and a comprehensive guide to financial aid and scholarship acquisition.

FastWeb: Information to locate and apply for college scholarships, internships, loans, and college-savings opportunities, and help to successfully transition from high school to college and from college to career.

Free Scholarship Info: A finding service with a database of more than 2,000 sources for scholarships, grants and fellowships, free counseling, and more.

Scholarships.com: Information about local, state, and national scholarship and grant opportunities, in addition to many federal private loan options.

Wired Scholar: Provides a wealth of information to help students increase their chances of receiving scholarships.

Also check Loyola's scholarship page for information about opportunities from various Loyola departments and outside organizations.

TIP #5
Reapply for financial assistance each year by completing the FAFSA by March 1, and continue to look for additional scholarships or grants. Many become available only as students progress through academic levels.