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Office of University Financial Aid

College of Arts & Sciences

How to Apply for Financial Aid

2008-2009 New Steps to Apply for Financial Aid:

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

  2. Complete all four pages of the Bethel University Financial Aid Application (2008-09). Students must apply for financial aid each school year. Priority consideration given to applicants who submit all required documents by April 15. Later applicants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. (New for 2008-2009: Parent signature is not required.)

  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 2008 term, the deadline is October 1, 2008.) Students who miss this deadline will NOT receive a MN State Grant that term.


    (**Getting married? Before submitting your FAFSA, meet with a financial aid advisor to determine whether to submit your FAFSA before or after getting married.)

  4. New for 2008-2009: 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.

  5. Returning students may be eligible for special awards (endowed and restricted scholarships). Both need-based and merit scholarships are available. Students must apply for these special awards separately each year by submitting the online application (available end of November through February 10 only).

Steps After Receiving Financial Aid Award Letter from Bethel:

  1. Notify the Office of University 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 Bethel University 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. Priority loan application deadline for fall term is July 1.

    1. Visit the student loan webpages for student loan information and to apply online.
    2. Respond to Perkins Loan Eligibility on the Loan Response Form (if offered).
    3. Request Stafford Loan amounts (if needed) and indicate choice of lender on the Loan Response Form.
    4. First-time borrowers of Perkins, Stafford, and SELF loans at Bethel University must complete a separate online Loan Entrance Counseling for each loan program.
    5. Complete promissory notes for each loan borrowed. (Repeat Perkins, Stafford, and PLUS borrowers do not need to complete a new Master Promissory Note unless they change lenders.)
    6. 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
February
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
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 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.