Physical Therapy 2007-2008

The information below applies to returning physical therapy graduate students only.

Deadlines for Priority Consideration for Financial Aid

We anticipate that if you meet the priority filing deadline dates, you will receive a 2008-2009 award letter by 7/15/2008. If you file your FAFSA after the priority deadline date, we will consider you for institutional aid, but only after those students who have met the priority deadline have been packaged. Missing the deadline may mean you receive less aid because we first commit our resources to those students who file by the priority deadline.

How to Apply

1. Get your federal Personal Identification Number (PIN). This will allow you to file your FAFSA via the web, our preferred way to apply for aid. If you would like to register for, request, or change your PIN, you may do this by accessing U.S. Department of Education, PIN Registration.
2. File your FAFSA via the web. It's fast, easy, secure, and has built in edit checks to prevent errors, and you may sign your application electronically using your federal PIN. Our federal school code is 002739.
   • First, print out the FAFSA Pre-Application Worksheet, which can be downloaded at the "Before Beginning a FAFSA Overview" section of FAFSA on the Web. It will help you get the answers you need to complete the FAFSA ahead of time. Complete it and keep it. IMPORTANT: As a graduate student, you are considered independent for federal aid programs and parental information is NOT required.
   • Second, complete your FAFSA, using your federal PIN, at FAFSA on the Web.
3. File for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP -- for New York State Residents only). You can do this immediately after filing your FAFSA online. Follow the online instructions. Our TAP school code is 5780.
4. If you or your family have had changes in family income and/or unusual expenses, submit the Changed Family Circumstance Report, AFTER you file your FAFSA. (See Downloadable Forms.)
5. Submit the Graduate Student Loan Request Form if your are offered a Graduate PLUS Loan in your financial aid award letter. (See Downloadable Forms.)

Other Tips to Follow When Applying for Aid

• Make sure your social security number and date of birth are accurate. Do not use your Ithaca College student ID number to file for aid.
• We strongly recommend you have your tax returns complete when you are filing your FAFSA. If you do not, use estimated information and estimate as closely as possible. It is very important that you meet the March 1, 2008 priority filing deadline. Do not send copies of your tax returns to the Office of Financial Aid unless we request them.
• Do not send photocopies of your FAFSA or ETA to the Office of Financial Aid; they won't get your aid processed any faster. As long as Ithaca College's correct code is on the forms, we will get your information electronically. Anywhere from two to six weeks after you file your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or via e-mail. You need to make sure Ithaca College is listed on your SAR, and keep your SAR for your records. You can find out the status of your FAFSA at FAFSA on the Web. It is your responsibility to make sure your FAFSA is filed and that Ithaca College is listed as a recipient of your FAFSA data.
• Respond quickly to any request for information that you receive from the federal processor, a state agency, or the Office of Financial Aid.
• If you are a permanent New York State resident interested in filing for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), you MUST file the FAFSA. If you file your FAFSA via the Internet, you can complete the ETA online. You'll only need an ETA if you didn't receive TAP last year or if the marital status of your parent(s) differs from what was reported to TAP last year. You will need to use 2007 New York State tax returns to complete the ETA. The priority ETA filing deadline is 3/1/2008.