Frequently Asked Questions

1. Apply for an FSA ID (user name and password) for the student and the parent at studentaid.gov

2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using JSU's School code (001020) at www.fafsa.gov for the correct academic year. For additional helpful hints on completing the FAFSA, click on the FSA Youtube Channel. Example: 2023-24 FAFSA for Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024.

3. Once JSU receives the FAFSA, an email will be sent to your JSU GEM Outlook 365 Email explaining what you will need to do to view your status on MyJaxState or you may view your status on MyJaxState (see information below on how to log in and view information on MyJaxState.)

What happens next?

1. When your file is complete and eligibility has been determined, you will be offered the maximum amount of federal financial aid (including federal Pell grant and loans) for which you are eligible at the time of award.

2. You will be notified via MyJaxState and/or your JSU Email of an award to accept or decline your award offer on MyJaxState.

The Parent PLUS loan application should be completed by a parent that is on the current FAFSA.

• Parents log-in to studentaid.gov using their FSA ID
• Under the "Apply for Aid" section, select "Apply for a Parent Plus Loan"
• Select the appropriate award year from the drop-down box
  • Award year example: 2023-2024= Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024
• Input your student's information in the section labeled "Student information"
• Select your choice for the "Request for Deferment while student is enrolled in school" option
• Select your choice for the "Authorization for school to use loan funds to satisfy other charges"
• Select your choice for the "Credit Balance Option"
• Select the state your institution is located in from the drop-down box (Alabama)
• Select your school name from the drop-down box (Jacksonville State University)
• Specify whether this is a new application for this year OR if you are requesting a loan to a previous application.
• Input the amount of the loan you would like to request in the "Loan Amount Requested" box.
  • If you would like to borrow the maximum, you may select " I want to borrow the maximum Direct PLUS Loan amount for which I am eligible, as determined by the school"
• Select your "Loan Period" by using the drop-down boxes, you may request this loan to cover multiple semesters
  • Fall Semester: August - December
  • Spring Semester: January - May
  • Summer Semester: June - July

Students must be confirmed attending their courses each term to receive federal aid for their courses. If a student is not confirmed as attending a course, financial aid will not pay to the student's account. Each instructor will receive an email reminder for this each semester with the deadline listed.

Timeline: Attendance verification can be submitted during the first week of classes by following the instructions below. If this is not done by the published deadline each semester, it will delay a student's financial aid payment. If a student is late added into a course, their attendance still must be verified using the same process.

Instructions:

1. Log into MyJaxState

2. Select Faculty tab on the left menu

3. Under Faculty Links, select Financial Aid Attendance Verification

4. This will show a list of courses that you are required to submit attendance verification for and a list of students within each course. Select the course you wish to verify attendance for.

5. You will have the option to Select All, which will check all students to confirm attendance and you may manually de-select any that have not been attending your course.

 a. You may also manually check each student, if you prefer.

6. Click Submit at the bottom when you have finished.

7. You will receive a green pop-up bar confirming you have completed this.

8. Please repeat these steps for each course you are assigned.

Guidance: Student should be either physically attending your course or have engaged in an academic-related activity for your course to be verified as attending. The U.S. Department of Education defines academic engagement as active participation by a student in an instructional activity related to the student's course of study. This can include activities such as:

•  Attending class
•  Turning in an assignment
• Taking a test
• Participating in an online discussion
• Interacting with the instructor regarding academic matters

Any issues or questions can be directed to Charlotte Cole, Director of Financial Aid, cacole@jsu.edu

After selecting the course that you would like post grades for, you will see your roster of students. When reporting mid-term or final grades for each course, you will see a "Last Date of Attendance" column to the right of the student's name. The date that you previously verified each student as attending for Financial Aid Attendance Verification will now be listed in the Last Date of Attendance column.

If a student is receiving a grade of F, I, or NC (either for midterm or final grades), you will need to update the existing date in the Last Date of Attendance column. If the student was not previously confirmed as attending, you will be required to add a Last Date of Attendance for final grades only. For midterm grades of those not previously confirmed, no date is needed.

Changes should only be made to the Last Date of Attendance if reporting a grade of NC or F. Failure to properly report a Last Date of Attendance can negatively impact a student's financial aid.

Any changes regarding the Last Date of Attendance can be directed to Charlotte Cole, Director of Financial Aid, by emailing cacole@jsu.edu

Federal Financial Aid:

• All full term withdrawals from a semester (student initiated* or hardship**) require Financial Aid to perform a calculation (Return to Title IV) to determine how much of the student's federal aid was earned based on the student's withdrawal or last attended date.
  • This can result in a student owing funds back to JSU.
  • This is a federal requirement and cannot be waived or appealed.
  • Complete Return to Title IV policy
• Withdrawing from courses may negatively impact a student's Satisfactory Academic Progress status by decreasing their pace of completion.
  • Students must complete 66.66% of the total credit hours they attempt (cumulative). If there are extenuating circumstances that cause a student to not meet this requirement, they may file an appeal. Documentation of the student's situation is required for the appeal.
  • Complete Satisfactory Academic Progress policy
• If a student is considering fully withdrawing from a semester, we recommend that they reach out to Financial Aid to determine the impact of their withdrawal.

Institutional Aid:

• JSU scholarships are not subject to the calculation of unearned aid. Scholarships will only be adjusted if the student is receiving a tuition refund from their withdrawal and the refund is only comprised of JSU scholarship funds.
• For merit scholarships, students must earn 24 credit hours each academic year (fall, spring, summer) to meet the renewal requirements of their scholarship.
  • If there are extenuating circumstances that cause a student to not meet this requirement, they may file an appeal to have their scholarship renewed. Documentation of the student's situation is required for the appeal.

A Student Initiated Withdrawal occurs during the period in which a student can withdraw from the term with a grade of W, as noted in the Academic Calendar.

**A Hardship Withdrawal occurs after the period in which a student can withdraw from the term with a grade of W, as noted in the Academic Calendar. Hardship Withdrawals are only considered when there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from continuing or completing coursework occurring when it is past the last date to drop or withdraw and incompletes or other arrangements with instructors are not feasible.

• Log-in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID that you used when completing your FAFSA
• Click "Complete Entrance Counseling" based on your status as either an undergraduate or graduate student.
• After all sections are complete and the Entrance Counseling has been submitted, you will be sent an email confirmation to the email address you used for your FSA ID.
• Repeat the steps listed above for Master Promissory and Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement

• Log-in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID that you used when completing your FAFSA
• Complete Master Promissory Note based on your status as either an undergraduate or graduate student.
• After all sections are complete and the Master Promissory Note has been submitted, you will be sent an email confirmation to the email address you used for your FSA ID.
• Repeat the steps listed above for Entrance Counseling and Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement

If you would like to review a historical list of private loan lenders to JSU students, you may visit FASTCHOICE. Another way to locate alternative lenders is to do an internet search for "private student loans." Our office cannot suggest or recommend an alternative lender. The lender that you choose must send your certification via ELM (Education Loan Management, Inc.). Under the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA), lenders are required to supply you with a finalized disclosure statement (stating the terms and conditions of your loan), a self-certification form, and a three-day right to cancel.

You must complete and sign the Self-Certification Form and send it to your lender. Always check to see if you can e-sign this form on your lender's web site.

Dependent on the private lender, a student may be required to be enrolled in at least half-time status and/or meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress to be eligible.

Lenders WILL verify your information with JSU via an electronic school certification request via ELM or other electronic communication.

It is important to note that you cannot receive more financial aid funds (including loans) than your Cost of Attendance, regardless of the source of those funds. The Cost of Attendance is listed below under "What is my Cost of Attendance?"

Yes, as long as the loan has not already been disbursed to your student account. To complete a Loan Change Request Form follow the instructions below.

1. Log into MyJaxState using your username and password
2. Select "Financial Aid Requirements" (on the home page, under Student Links); this will open a new tab
3. You may be prompted to confirm your information (exactly as it appears on your FAFSA)
4. Once your information is confirmed, you will select the "Manage Requests" button in the top right corner of the screen
5. Select the + button next to "Loan Change Request Form" underneath the aid year that you are needing to complete the request for
6. A box will pop up on the screen and you will enter your reason for the request. Once you select "Submit," the Loan Change Request Form will be generated
7. Complete the form, select "Submit" and then select "Finish"

Your form will be reviewed and processed within 5-7 business days. You may contact the Financial Aid Office at 256-782-5006 or by email at finaid@jsu.edu if you need assistance.

If your financial aid has been suspended due to extenuating circumstances that resulted in you not meeting minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, you may file a Financial Aid/ SAP appeal. To complete an appeal, please follow the instructions below.

1. Log into MyJaxState (my.jsu.edu) using your username and password.
2. Select Financial Aid Requirements (on the home page, under Student Links); this will open a new tab.
3. You may be prompted to confirm your information (exactly as it appears on your FAFSA.)
4. Once your information is confirmed, you will select the Manage Requests button in the top right corner of the screen.
5. Select the + button next to SAP Appeal, underneath the aid year that you are needing to complete the appeal for.
6. A box will pop up on the screen and you will enter a brief synopsis of your reasoning for filing a SAP appeal. Once you select Submit, the SAP appeal form will be generated.
7. Complete the form, upload any supporting documentation of your extenuating circumstances, select Submit and then select Finish.

Your appeal will be reviewed and processed within 7-10 business days.

Please note that to be able to file a Financial Aid Appeal, you must have a FAFSA on file for the year you are appealing for. Example: If you are appealing to receive aid in Fall 2023, you will need to have a 2023-2024 FAFSA on file with JSU.

If you or your family's financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on your federal income tax return (i.e.: job change or loss, death of a parent or spouse, etc.,) you may be eligible to have your financial aid offer re-evaluated. You can request a Family Contribution Appeal to have the Financial Aid Office review your current household income to determine if you qualify for an adjustment. When submitting your appeal, documentation will be required (i.e.: death certificate, job separation notice, 2022 signed federal tax return, etc.) To complete an appeal, please follow the instructions below.

1. Log into MyJaxState (my.jsu.edu) using your username and password.
2. Select Financial Aid Requirements (on the home page, under Student Links); this will open a new tab.
3. You may be prompted to confirm your information (exactly as it appears on your FAFSA.)
4. Once your information is confirmed, you will select the Manage Requests button in the top right corner of the screen.
5. Select the + button next to Family Contribution Appeal, underneath the aid year that you are needing to complete the appeal for.
6. A box will pop up on the screen and you will enter a brief synopsis of your reasoning for filing a Family Contribution Appeal. Once you select Submit, the appeal form will be generated.
7. Complete the form, upload any supporting documentation, select Submit and then select Finish.

Your appeal will be reviewed and processed within 7-10 business days

To withdraw from JSU, students must complete the Withdrawal Form provided by the Registrar's Office. The date of the withdrawal will normally be the date the form is completed. If a student stops completing academic related activity, a student may be considered to be unofficially withdrawn. In cases of an unofficial withdrawal, the date of withdrawal will be the midpoint of the term or the last date of academic related activity, whichever benefits the student.

Withdrawing and not completing coursework with a passing final grade will directly affect your Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. Failure to meet this policy will result in suspension of future financial aid. This policy may be viewed by clicking the Forms tab and Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for the year that you are attending or on MyJaxState under Financial Aid Status.

Learn more

Federal Return to Title IV Policy

If you receive Federal Title IV aid (Pell Grants, Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, TEACH Grants, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants, etc) and withdraw or stop attending classes, JSU will calculate the amount of aid you did not earn. If it is determined that you received aid you did not earn, the funds will be returned to the appropriate Title IV program(s).

You have only earned the percentage of aid that reflects the percentage of the term you attended. For example, if you complete 25% of the semester, you earned 25% of the Title IV aid you were eligible for during the term of attendance. If you attend more than 60% of the term you will not owe a refund.

• If you receive excess aid for the term attended, JSU must return the unearned portion. You may then be held accountable for paying this amount to JSU.
• If JSU is not required to return the entire amount, you must repay the remaining amount to the appropriate Title IV program(s).

* The Federal Direct Student Loans/PLUS Loans you may have borrowed will be repaid according to the terms of the original promissory note.

* You will only be responsible for overpayment of unearned grants as determined by the Us Department of Education Return to Title IV Funds Calculation. A student who owes an overpayment will not be eligible for additional Title IV aid until the overpayment has been resolved.

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours to receive federal financial aid. Your eligibility for summer aid once enrolled will be determined by your remaining aid year/ lifetime eligibility based on federal Department of Education regulations.

Summer Pell Grant Funding- If you are eligible for Pell Grant for the 2022- 2023 aid year, you will be eligible to receive Pell Grant funding for the summer semester.*

*Pell Grant funding is prorated based on the number of credit hours a student is enrolled in.

Summer Federal Student Loan Funding- You will be offered any loan funding that was not used in the fall or spring semester.

If you choose not to accept the full amount of summer loan funding originally offered to you, you can complete a Loan Change Request Form* if you later determine that previously declined funding is needed.

*The purpose of this form is to request an adjustment to your accepted summer loan funding. Requested amounts may be denied or reduced based on your eligibility in accordance with federal and institutional policies. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing.

The U.S. Department of Education regulations require a student to be actively enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours to have financial aid disbursed. If you are enrolled in 6 credit hours for multiple parts of the term, your financial aid will not disburse until all 6 credit hours have begun.*

*For instance, if you are enrolled in 6 credit hours- 3 hours in Summer I and 3 hours in Summer II- your financial aid will not disburse until after Summer II begins.

The amount that the federal government believes your family can contribute to one year of college. Colleges use this, among other things, to determine financial need.

An estimate of how much it costs to attend a college. The COA includes the price of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and other expenses associated with attending that school.

Learn more about JSU's Tuition and Fees

How much it will cost you to attend a college for one year after your scholarships and grants, loans and work-study subtracted from the COA. Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your net price.

This report shows you what data is on your FAFSA, some information about the aid for which you're eligible and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

See a sample SAR here.

A need-based loan on which you don't pay interest while you're in school.

Learn more about Loans

A loan for which you don't have to demonstrate financial need, but you're responsible for the interest.

Learn more about Loans

A monetary gift that doesn't have to be repaid. It can be one-time or renewable, and based on grades, talents or other criteria.

Learn more about scholarships

Learn more about grants

A part-time job for students with financial need.

Learn more about JSU's work-study opportunities