College of Arts & Sciences

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid:

1. Apply and be accepted for admission to Bethel (new students only).
   
   

2. Complete the Bethel University Financial Aid Application. Students must apply for financial aid each school year. Priority consideration is given to applicants who submit all required documents by April 15. Later applicants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
   

   • 2009-2010 Financial Aid Application NEW online version
     
   • 2009-2010 Financial Aid Application paper version (PDF format)

3. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as soon as possible after federal taxes are completed. Be sure to include Bethel University (code #002338) on the list of schools to receive your FAFSA information.
   

   • To be considered for MN State Grant, your FAFSA must be submitted and received by the U.S. Department of Education processor within 30 days of the beginning of the term. (For fall 2009 term, the deadline is September 30, 2009.) Students who miss this deadline will NOT receive a MN State Grant that term.
4. 
   (**Getting married? Before submitting your FAFSA, meet with a financial aid advisor to determine whether to submit your FAFSA before or after getting married.)
   
   

5. Only students selected for verification or using estimated income data in the FAFSA must submit signed federal taxes to the Office of University Financial Aid.
   

   • Approximately 30 percent of the student population is selected for verification by the Department of Education. The Office of University Financial Aid will contact you if you have been selected for verification.
     
     
6. Returning students may be eligible for Departmental Scholarships. Both need-based and merit scholarships are available. Students must apply for these departmental scholarships separately each year by submitting the online application (available end of November through February 10 only).

When will I receive my financial aid offer from Bethel?

The Office of University Financial Aid begins to mail out financial aid packages early in March for the coming fall. Students typically receive their awards within two weeks of submitting all required application materials. During the months of April and May, returning student awards may take slightly longer as awards to new students take priority. Prospective students may receive estimates between mid-September and February by completing the online Financial Aid Estimate Form.

Steps After Receiving Financial Aid Award Letter from Bethel:

1. Notify the Office of Financial Aid of any necessary changes or additions to the Financial Aid Award.
   

   • Notify the financial aid office of any private grants or scholarships, veteran's benefits, and employer assistance not already listed on your award letter. (Scholarship checks should be sent directly to the Business Office.)
     
   • Notify the financial aid office of any changes to the enrollment and housing assumptions listed on your award letter.
     
   • Notify the financial aid office if you wish to decline your award.
     

2. If needed, apply for loans. Priority loan application deadline for fall term is July 1.
   

   • If offered, apply for a Federal Perkins Loan by July 1.
     
   • Apply for a Direct Stafford Loan, if needed.
     
   • Apply for other loans as needed (PLUS, SELF or Private loans).
     
   • Revisions: Financial aid awards are reviewed periodically and adjusted to accommodate changes in enrollment, respond to student appeals for additional assistance, etc.  It is not necessary to sign and return subsequent Loan Response Forms unless the student wants to make a change in a loan that was already processed or to request an additional loan.

3. If desired, visit the student employment webpages for job opportunities.

   • New students who have been offered need-based work study and wish to be placed in a campus job must apply before May 10 by submitting the online Student Employment Application (available in early March).

Timeline for Financial Aid:

January

• Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after previous year's federal taxes are completed.

February

• February 10 is the Special Awards Application deadline for continuing students.

March

• Office of University Financial Aid begins mailing award letters for upcoming school year.
• Student Employment Application for new students is available online beginning in early March.

April

• April 15 is the priority deadline for College of Arts & Sciences students applying for financial aid. Bethel will provide the best funding to students who have submitted all necessary forms by this date. Later applications will be processed, but may receive reduced funding.

May

• May 10 is the deadline for new students to submit the Student Employment Application.
• Students applying for a loan for the summer semester should complete the application process by May 1.

June

July

• Sign and return your Loan Response Form (or submit Student Loan Authorization Form) by July 1 to allow adequate time for processing.
• First-time borrowers must complete Loan Entrance Counseling before their loan can be certified by Bethel.

August

• New student employees need to complete both I-9 and W-4 forms prior to beginning work. (These forms can be completed during Welcome Week.)

September

• A Financial Aid Estimate Form can be submitted between September 15 and February by prospective students who desire an estimate of costs and financial aid eligibility for the upcoming school year.

October

November

• The online Special Award Application for continuing students is available by the end of November.
• Students applying for a loan for spring semester only should complete the application process by November 15.

December

Financial Aid Applications are available to new and returning students.