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2012-13 Financial Aid Checklist – Incoming Graduate/Professional Students
 Use this checklist as a brief guide to help you apply for aid, review your awards, and pay your fees. We encourage you to read our entire web site to gain a fuller understanding of the entire financial aid process. |
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| Apply For Aid | |
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1.) Apply for admission to the University of South Carolina through the
Office of Graduate Admissions,
and apply for
non-university scholarships.
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2.) Complete the
Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is required for federal financial aid including student loans. Allow 1 to 2 weeks for USC-Columbia to receive your application from the FAFSA Processor.
Notes: It is important to remember your PIN as you will use it frequently. USC-Columbia’s School Code is 003448. |
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3.) Check the status of
your FAFSA. Federal aid will not be awarded until your status is complete.
Notes: A complete status includes the submitted FAFSA and any additional information requested. |
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4.) Check your awards. USC-Columbia begins awarding Federal Aid on April 1st. You will automatically be considered Direct Loans. After you have been awarded, you can decide if other aid is needed. Your actual bill will be available on VIP after the Board of Trustees has set tuition for the new year (usually mid-July) and you have signed up for classes.
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| Review and Finalize Your Awards | |
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5.) Accept or decline your Direct Loans on VIP. If you wish to make other any changes to your awards, submit your updated award letter to our office with your signature. Notes: Accepting and/or changing your loans takes 48 hours to process. |
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6.) Complete Federal Loan Entrance Counseling |
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7.) Complete your Federal Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). Notes: Your loan counseling and MPN must be completed before you can use your Direct Loans to pay your fees. |
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8.) If you have been awarded Federal Work Study, click here to search for job postings. If you have not been awarded Federal Work Study and you wish to be considered for it, please contact us. |
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9.) Read all Award Terms and Conditions and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s). |
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10.) Send non-institutional scholarship checks to:
Office of the Bursar; University of South Carolina; 516 South Main Street; Columbia, SC 29208. Notes: Endorse your check if it is made co-payable to you and the University. |
| Use Your Aid to Pay Your Fees | |
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11.) Review Optional Fees and Pay Your Fees
using VIP.
Notes: Once your fees are paid, your bill will no longer be available through VIP. If you wish to keep a copy for your records, print the bill before you pay. |
| Helpful Terms |
| FAFSA: FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application is required for most types of financial aid including student loans. |
| VIP: https://vip.sc.edu/ is the University’s student’s web connection to most academic and financial information, including Financial Aid. You must be an admitted (www.sc.edu/admissions) student to gain access to the site. |
| Entrance Counseling: Required for your first Stafford loan. Entrance counseling must be completed before funds can disburse. |
| Master Promissory Note (MPN): An MPN is an agreement that you sign with your lender promising that you will pay your loan back. It is required for your first Federal Direct Stafford loan and Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan. MPN’s are required every year for Federal Perkins loans. MPN’s must be completed before funds can disburse. |
| USC LINKS: | DIRECTORY | MAP | EVENTS | VIP |
| Columbia, SC 29208 • 803-777-7000 • info@sc.edu | © 2002 University of South Carolina Board of Trustees |