TO APPLY FOR AID PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. IMPORTANT: INCOMING STUDENTS must file the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA). The web address is (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Be sure to list Eastern Connecticut as one of the colleges to receive the results. Our Federal code number is 001425. For RETURNING Students who have previously filled out a FAFSA and meet certain conditions, the U.S. Department of Education will send you an electronic notification for a Renewal FAFSA on the Web. You can reapply for student aid using the Renewal FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Renewal FAFSA's are available online for 2007-2008 applications. DO NOT file both a RENEWAL and a new FAFSA. Just do one of them.

NOTE: If you do not already have one, you will need a PIN number to apply. Please click on link below to obtain your PIN:

2. TO BE ON TIME, the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA must be returned to the FEDERAL PROCESSOR, with Eastern listed (001425), by our priority deadline. Allow plenty of delivery time because we MUST use the date the Federal Processor RECEIVES the application.

3. The Federal Processor will process your FAFSA information and send Eastern the results electronically.

4. Students who are selected by the Federal Processor for "verification" must do the following: Dependent students must send us a signed copy of your 2006 federal tax return and accompanying W2s. We also need a signed copy of your parents' 2006 federal tax return, tax schedules and W2s, along with a dependent verification worksheet. Independent students must send a signed copy of their 2005 federal tax return, tax schedules and W2s, along with filling out an independent verification .

Verification worksheets may be downloaded from our website, mailed on request, or picked up at our office.

5. Financial Aid paperwork will be accepted only when ALL requested documents have been completed correctly, with signatures and dates where required. All paperwork MUST be stapled and your ECSU student ID# must be clearly written on every page. The Financial Aid Office cannot make copies for you.

6. When your file is complete, an award letter will be done and mailed to you. If you are not eligible for University administered aid or for a Pell Grant, you still will be eligible for student loan assisstance and also may be able to find employment on or off-campus. Student Employment

* Several hundred ECSU students are employed on campus and in community service jobs each year through our JobQuest program. Some employment is "awarded" through the financial aid process, but most positions on-campus are filled without regard to need ("non-awarded" jobs). The average student employee works 10-12 hours a week during the school year, and many work full time during semester break and in the summer.

* JOB QUEST also is designed to assist any matriculated ECSU students in locating part-time and/or seasonal job opportunities on/off-campus. We identify and post jobs, counsel student registrants, and function as an employment resource for Windham area communities. For all job related questions or issues, please visit us at www.ecsujobs.org.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INCOMING STUDENTS:

* ECSU participates in the New England Regional Program, a program that offers residents of the other New England states reduced tuition and fees for selected majors. For additional information, contact our Admissions Office (860-465-5286).

* ECSU has an excellent Honors Program that offers renewable scholarships that cover the cost of in-state tuition, up to 18 credits (out-of-state and New England Regional Program recipients would have a tutition balance to pay after the scholarship). For more information contact Lura Fellows-Butt, Admissions Office (860-465-5021) or the Honors Program,860-465-4317.

* Eastern also offers non-Honors academic achievement scholarships to selected new students. No special application is required, as the University identifies recipients during the admission process.

* Eastern has a popular time-payment plan through Academic Management Services (AMS) that can help students and parents pay for school at a minimal service charge, with no interest charges. Call AMS at (800)635-0120 or visit their website www.tuitionpay.com for more details about this option.

* There are numerous "alternative" student, parent, and family loan programs available if needed.

* Eastern offers it's ownCo-Operative Education Program and Army or Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) programs through University of Connecticut, any of which can help finance their education. Additionally, service in the Connecticut National Guard provides a tuition waiver each semester for guard members, both CT residents and non-residents,attending Eastern .

POINTS TO REMEMBER.....

* Eastern is supported by Connecticut taxpayers, so we charge students much less than what it costs us to provide this fine educational opportunity.

* Your net cost (expenses minus financial aid) is what is most important, not the amount of aid you are receiving. Your question when comparing colleges should be "What will it cost me?", not "How much aid will I be awarded?"

* Borrowing to pay for college has become a fact of life for a majority of students because there is not enough grant and scholarship aid available at most colleges to meet everyone's need. The CSU campuses are no exception to the national trend.