WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000
Music

00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:12.000
Hello my name is Jackie. I'm a student at Western Oregon University

00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:16.000
Did you know that 67% of all WOU students receive some form of 

00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:20.000
financial aid. That's right that means that more than half of our students 

00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:24.000
have successfully navigated the financial aid process. You can too. 

00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.000
Just follow these simple steps, but first you need to make sure

00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.000
that you are a qualifying student. You must be a U.S. citizen

00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:36.000
or qualifying non citizen and have a high school diploma, GED or completed homeschooling 

00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:40.000
Step 1, pay attention to critical 

00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:44.000
deadlines. On January 1st you can fill out the free application for federal 

00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.000
student aid or how we like to call it FAFSA. Be sure to complete

00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.000
your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st. since some

00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.000
funds are limited and can be awarded on a first come first serve basis. 

00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:60.000
Step 2, in order to fill out your FAFSA go online to 

00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.000
fafsa.gov but first to help you fill out your FAFSA you should 

00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:08.000
gather the following documents. Your Social Security Card 

00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.000
your Alien Registration Card if you're a qualifying non citizen 

00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:16.000
and any year earning statements or your prior year federal tax return. 

00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:20.000
If you or your parents have not filed your current federal tax returns

00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:24.000
you can complete your FAFSA with estimated information 

00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:28.000
Be sure to go update your FAFSA once you have completed your federal tax return 

00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:32.000
any checking and savings account statements as well as any other investment

00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:36.000
information. You and at least one parent if you're a dependent 

00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:40.000
will need a federal PIN or a personal identification number in order 

00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:44.000
to sign your FAFSA. You can request a federal PIN when you 

00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:48.000
complete your FAFSA. Step 3 be sure to add all the universities 

00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.000
you plan to apply to by entering the schools federal code

00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:56.000
WOU's code is 003209 

00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:60.000
doing so the university will automatically receive your FAFSA information 

00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:04.000
Step 4, once you have filled out your FAFSA make sure to 

00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:08.000
check your application process by checking your email for confirmation 

00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:12.000
revealing the information you provided on your FAFSA and updated it

00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:16.000
if needed. Keep checking your email and mailbox for 

00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:20.000
any forms sent by WOUs financial aid office requesting additional information 

00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:24.000
Step 5, go online and accept your award. Accepting 

00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:28.000
your award offer does not commit you to the universities, however it does 

00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:32.000
reserve your funds. Once you decide which university is right for you 

00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:36.000
simply contact the other schools and let them know your final choice. 

00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.000
If your financial circumstances change or if you simply have a question feel free to contact 

00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:42.000
the WOU financial aid office or visit the website at 

00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:46.000
wou.edu/financial aid

00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:52.000
Music