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2016-2017 Financial Aid Overview

Are you planning to start Bethel this Spring semester? Here's what you need to know:

Before You Apply - Use our Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of your award and learn more about what to do before you apply for aid.

Apply for Aid - Complete or Update your 2016-2017 Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.gov. We recommend that you use the IRS Data Retrieval process when completing your FAFSA to minimize the chance that your application is selected for verification. Be sure to include Bethel University (school code #002338) on the list of schools to receive your FAFSA information.

After You're Awarded - You should receive your award within 2-3 weeks of submitting all required application materials. You can also access your financial aid award through your Financial Aid Requirements channel in MyBethel. Click Financial Aid Award and select the appropriate year from the dropdown list.

After receiving your financial aid award you will need to accept or decline your loans, report private scholarships, notify the financial aid office of any changes in your enrollment assumptions and ensure that all loan applications or supplemental financial aid materials are completed.

1. View your school bill

View your estimated bill after you have been awarded financial aid for the school year. You can view estimated billing through the My Statments and Finances channel in MyBethel.

2. Accept or Decline Your Loans

If you need to borrow loans, compare your options. This will help you find the best loan for you.

When you know which loan(s) you'd like to borrow, you will need to accept or decline your offered loans.

  • Go to your Financial Aid Requirements channel in MyBethel.
  • Click Financial Aid Award.
  • Select the appropriate year from the dropdown list.
  • Select the Accept Award Offer tab.
  • Decide how much of your Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan or PLUS/Private Loan Eligibility you want to borrow for the full year, and follow the instructions.
  • Click Submit Decision.

a. If you accept your Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan and you're a new Bethel borrower, you must complete both loan entrance counseling and a master promissory note (MPN). Be sure to select "Complete Loan Agreement" to complete the MPN and "Complete Loan Counseling" to access the counseling session. These are two distinct separate steps on the website. Select Minnesota as the School State when completing these requirements. You will need reference information for two people with different U.S. addresses.

b. If you accept the PLUS/Private Loan Eligibility this indicates to the Financial Aid Office that either your parent will be applying for a PLUS loan or you (the student) will be applying for a Private Loan. There is a separate application process for these loans.

3. Report Private Scholarships

Let us know about any private scholarships by accessing your financial aid award through your Financial Aid Requirements channel in MyBethel. Click Financial Aid Award and select the appropriate year from the dropdown list.

4. Notify Financial Aid of Changes in Enrollment Assumptions

Enrollment and housing assumptions used to prepare your financial aid award are listed on the bottom of the paper financial aid award letter. Use the online update form to notify the financial aid office of changes in your anticipated enrollment.

5. Sign up for a payment plan

You may enroll in a monthly payment plan to help you pay month by month.

6. Check Your Status

View the status of your documents and requirements through by accessing your Financial Aid Requirements channel in MyBethel.

7. Sign up for Proxy

While privacy laws prohibit us from sharing financial aid award information with your parents, spouse, or other third party, we have provided a way for you to authorize others to view such information in your student account: proxy access.

Do you have an Estimated Award?

If you or your parent(s) indicated on your FAFSA that you "will file" your 2015 IRS income tax return, you must complete a few additional steps after completing your 2015 taxes.

Special Circumstances

Sometimes situations limit what you can handle financially. We call these special circumstances, which could include unusually high medical expenses or a job loss. These special circumstances aren't factored in when you apply for aid, so there is an appeal process to have your need-based aid reviewed.

Important Dates and Deadlines

January 15, 2017

  • Bill due for Interim and spring semester.

January 31, 2017

  • FAFSA deadline for spring semester Minnesota State Grant.

February 10, 2017

February 15, 2017

  • Bethel begins adjusting aid for spring 2017 for students who do not meet eligibility requirements (e.g., on-campus housing; enrolled less than full time; and Minnesota State Grant adjustments).

March 31, 2017

  • Deadline for appeals for reduced income and unusual financial conditions for the 2016-2017 academic year.

April 14, 2017

  • Private loans take at least 30 days to process so if you need a private loan for spring 2017, be sure to apply by this date.

May 12, 2017

  • Last day to request a federal (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or PLUS) loan for spring 2017.