Financial Aid Timeline for ADP and Graduate Students

Adult Degree and graduate students enroll in their programs throughout the year ... fall, spring and summer. Because of their unusual timing, we try to work within their schedule wherever possible, but certain factors must be kept in mind when applying for aid -- time, time, and TIME.

The farther ahead you plan (at least 10 to 12 weeks preceding enrollment), the less anxiety you will have. You must allow:

• time for the FAFSA to reach the federal processor and be processed;
• time for us to receive and process the results in the form of an award letter (you must be accepted by your program before an aid award letter is issued);
• time for you to review and return any necessary documents

The earlier you start the process, the easier it will be if any glitches occur. Keep the following steps in mind:

1. Aid materials are automatically sent to new applicants for admission (Renewal forms are mailed by the federal government to students who filed the previous year).
   
   
2. You should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using data from a completed tax return (see the instruction booklet for other documents needed) and mail it to the federal processor or file it electronically. Remember, file early and list MBC's Title IV Code (003723) on the form.
   
   
3. If you are a Virginia resident, file the Tuition Assistance Grant application with our office. You should receive an application in your financial aid application packet. The primary deadline is July 31.
   
   
4. If you listed MBC on your FAFSA, the federal processor electronically sends us your Student Aid Report (SAR) at the same time they send a hard copy to you at your home address.
   
   
5. We prepare an aid award letter listing all available aid for the academic year (with summer aid offered only if aid eligibility remains). If you are selected for verification, a verification worksheet will be included as well.
   
   
6. "Missing Information" will delay the completion of your aid file. Letters will be mailed at regular intervals if you are missing required documents from your aid file. The letters will detail what is missing.
   
   
7. When your aid file is complete, a final check is made and records are marked so your aid is ready to release after enrollment has been checked.
   
   
8. After each semester's add/drop date, enrollment status is checked and aid released to your student account in the Business Office. If you have changed your plans, your aid may have to be adjusted, resulting in delays and reduction of aid. After your aid has been released, the Business Office will issue any refund check to you at your home address.

Questions? Contact the Admissions Office.