Financial Aid is a way to pay for college and is available from a variety of sources. They include grants, scholarships, Work-Study Jobs, and Loans.
New students must apply for admissions and be accepted into Siena Heights University as a student seeking a degree. Once accepted to Siena Heights University the next step is to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Information from the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for institutional, federal and state financial aid programs including grants, scholarships, student loans and college work-study.
Getting Started
We recommend that you create your StudentAid.gov account three (3) days before starting your FAFSA form. You must enter your name and Social Security Number (SSN) exactly as they appear on your Social Security Card.
This year on the 2024-2025 FASFA form, every contributor who provides information on the FAFSA form needs a StudentAid.gov account before accessing and completing their section of the online form.
To start the online 2024-2025 FAFSA form, select “Start New Form.” You will be taken to the “Log In” page to enter your account username and password. After logging into the portal, you will be given the option to select your role to fill out the FAFSA form; “Student” or “Parent.” If a parent wants to start their dependent child’s FAFSA form, they should select the “Parent” option.
You can list up to 10 college or career schools on your FAFSA form. Each school listed will receive an electronic copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR), and you will also receive an updated copy.
Siena Heights University School Code: 002316
The FAFSA Review PRocess
Once you have completed and submitted the 2024-2025 form, the status of your application will be one of the following:
DRAFT – Your selection of the FAFSA form is incomplete.
IN PROGRESS – Your provided consent, approval, and signature to your section of the FAFSA form, but the FAFSA form has not been submitted.
IN REVIEW – The FAFSA form was submitted but not processed yet.
ACTION REQUIRED – You are missing some information, and corrections are required.
PROCESSED – Your application was process successfully. No further action is required.
CLOSED – Your FAFSA form was never submitted and can no longer be submitted because the deadline has passed.
What Happens Next?
Receiving Your Student Loan
Student loans are funds borrowed to pay for education expenses, including tuition, books, and living costs. These loans must be repaid with interest, but they can provide essential support when other financial resources fall short. These loans can either be Federal, provided and coordinated by the Department of Education after filing the FAFSA form, or Private loans which are offered by banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions, providing additional funds to help bridge the gap between federal aid and your total education expenses.
Entrance counseling is a mandatory process that first-time federal student loan borrowers must complete before they can receive their loan funds. The purpose of entrance counseling is to ensure that students understand the responsibilities and obligations they are taking on by borrowing federal student loans.
Learn more about the various types of loans and get started on you Entrance Counseling!
Scholarships, Grants, And Work Study Aid
Unlike loans, which need to be repaid with interest, these forms of financial aid are free and do not need to be repaid.
Scholarships
Who Awards Them: Scholarships can be awarded by Siena Heights, private organizations, non-profits, companies, and other entities.
When: Scholarship application deadlines vary widely depending on the provider. Siena Heights scholarships are awarded at acceptance to the University.
How: Scholarships are usually merit-based (awarded for academic, athletic, or artistic achievements), need-based, or based on specific criteria set by the awarding organization. Students typically need to apply directly to the scholarship provider, following their specific application procedures.
Grants
Who Awards Them: Grants are awarded by the federal government, state governments, and educational institutions.
When: For federal grants students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. Deadlines for state and institutional grants may vary.
How: Grants are generally need-based and awarded based on the information provided in the FAFSA. Federal grants are administered by the Department of Education, while state and institutional grants are managed by the respective state agencies or educational institutions.
Work Study
Who Awards It: The Federal Work-Study program is administered by the Department of Education, but the funds are then allocated to Siena Heights University, which then provide work-study opportunities to eligible students.
When: Students must indicate their interest in work-study when completing the FAFSA. The financial aid office at the college or university will include work-study opportunities in the financial aid package if the student qualifies.
How: Work-study is a need-based program, and eligibility is determined by the FAFSA. Students are usually employed in part-time jobs on or off-campus, and they earn wages to help pay for their education-related expenses.
Important Deadlines
Newly admitted, full-time College of Arts & Sciences students on the Adrian Campus should follow these important Financial Aid deadlines:
- February 1—Admission application deadline to be considered for Siena Merit Scholarships.
- December 1—FAFSA filing becomes available.
- May 1—National Candidate Reply Date deadline to pay Enrollment Deposit to secure institutional financial aid, housing requests and a place in Siena’s entering class.
