Applying for Aid

Below is a step-by-step process that should be used for all aid applicants.  Once the MSM Financial Aid Office receives all required documents, the aid will be processed.  Aid cannot be disbursed to a student’s account until half-time status is achieved.  If at any time during this process questions or concerns arise, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (301) 447-5207.  Information is also provided at www.msmary.edu/studentloans.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  This form can be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  You must first apply for and receive and electronic pin number at www.pin.ed.gov. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the on-line form.  However, if this is not possible, paper copies of the FAFSA are available by calling 1-800-4FEDAID (433-3243).  The Mount’s Title IV school code is 002086.  This form must be sent to a Federal processing center and can take up to a couple weeks to be processed, thus it needs to be completed as soon as possible prior to the term. The FAFSA needs to be completed each academic year.

2. Complete the DIRECT LOAN Master Promissory Note.  First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov.   The pin number used for the FAFSA is required to complete this step.

3. Complete the on-line entrance counseling.  First-time borrowers must complete entrance counseling at www.studentloans.gov.   

4. Return the Direct Loan Certification Form.  Upon receipt of the Financial Aid Award Letter from the Financial Aid Office, complete, sign and return the Direct Loan Certification Form to the Financial Aid Office.  Students are reminded that any change in enrollment status or the addition of any outside aid may affect their eligibility for Federal funds and prompt a Revised Award Letter to be sent.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Any questions about the Financial Aid process should be directed to the MSM Financial Aid Office.
Director: David C. Reeder (reeder@msmary.edu)
Asst. Dir.: Amy M. Wilkinson (awilkinson@msmary.edu)
Office Manager: Vivian Martin (vmartin@msmary.edu)
        Telephone: 301-447-5207
        Fax:  301-447-5915

Withdrawal Policy
Aid recipients withdrawing from the program either during or at the end of the semester must make appropriate arrangements with the financial aid office for terminating aid and discussing loan repayment possibilities, if any. Refund policies are available from the financial aid office. Likewise, aid recipients who drop below half-time enrollment status (less than 6 credits during the course of a traditional semester) will be expected to begin repayment of their federal student loans within six months.