Dear Student,

It is that time of the year again.  Time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2010 –2011 academic year.  As you are aware, College of the Ozarks requires all students to complete the FAFSA each year.  (Students graduating in May 2010 do not need to complete a FAFSA, unless there is a possibility they will re-enroll in 2010-11.)  Please use FAFSA on the web to complete the FAFSA.  This is a faster, easier version of the paper FAFSA, which will electronically deliver your information to the College.  Listed below are the suggested steps you should follow in order to complete the financial aid application on the web. 

1. Apply for a personal identification number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov.  Parent and students will need a PIN.  If you already have a PIN do not re-apply for a PIN.  To apply, select “Apply for a PIN” from the PIN Home Page.  A duplicate PIN may also be requested on the website.  It will take approximately 1-3 days after your request to receive the numbers in the mail or electronically.  More information concerning the PIN is located on the PIN website.
2. Complete your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1, 2010.  You will need your 2009 financial records and your parents’ to complete the FAFSA.  Don’t forget to add our school code to the application.  The school code is 002500.  After you have submitted the application online using the “Submit My FAFSA Now” button and using your PIN as your signature(s), the Department of Education will electronically send the application to the College.  It usually takes 7-10 days for the College to receive your application.  More information concerning the completion of a FAFSA is located on the FAFSA website.
3. WE DO NOT NEED SIGNED COPIES OF YOUR AND YOUR PARENT(S) FEDERAL TAX RETURNS.  The only situation where we may ask for them is if you have left the financial sections blank or you are selected for a process called Verification.  If you or your parent(s) are not required by the IRS to complete a federal tax return, please complete the Not Filing a Tax Return Worksheet.  This must be sent to our office if you or your parent will not be filing.  Please send the Not Filing a Tax Return Worksheet to us so that we may verify data elements on the FAFSA.  Your file is not complete without this information. You may find the Not Filing a Tax Return Worksheet on the financial aid website at www.cofo.edu under the Current Student link.

The FAFSA on the Web application must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office before our deadline of MARCH 1, 2010.  Failure to complete the FAFSA and submit additional documentation when asked will require the Financial Aid Office to apply a hold on your registration at College of the Ozarks.

Sincerely,

Financial Aid Staff

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