Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I apply for ESU institutional scholarships?

Students should check with the department of their major for departmental scholarship opportunities. Scholarship announcements will also be sent through Hornet Announcements.

How do I apply for other financial aid?

The first step in applying for federal financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA should be completed each year and can be found online on FAFSA's website. For Kansas state aid programs, students can apply on the Kansas Board of Regent's website.

When do I apply for financial aid?

The FAFSA is available the first day of October prior to the start of each academic award year. For Kansas aid programs, the FAFSA is required to be completed by April 1 and the deadline for the state application is May 1.

Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?

For federal financial aid, the FAFSA is required each year For continued state program eligibility, a state renewal application is required.

Which parent’s information should I include on my FAFSA if they are divorced?

This answer is specific to dependent students only: In the case of divorce or separation, give information about the parent you lived with most in the last 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, give information about the parent who provided you the most financial support during the last 12 months or during the most recent year you received support. If your divorced or widowed parent has remarried, also provide information about your stepparent.

What does it mean to be selected for FAFSA verification?

You are required to submit certain documentation so the school may verify that specific answers you provided on your FAFSA are accurate. Students’ applications are selected at random by the central processor.

How do I fill out the FAFSA if I'm getting married?

This depends on the individual student. It is recommended that the student complete the FAFSA as they normally would; then contact the office for a review after the marriage has taken place. The review will determine if updating the marriage status of the student would be advantageous for you.

Can I still get financial aid if I'm only part time?

Students attending less than full-time can receive federal financial aid. For the Federal Direct Loan Programs (Subsidized, Unsubsidized and PLUS) students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking or approved certificate program at least half time. Half time for undergraduate students is defined as 5 credit hours for summer and 6 for fall/spring. Half time for graduate students is defined as 5 credit hours for summer and 5 for fall/spring. Half time for second bachelor students is defined as 5 credit hours for summer and 6 for fall/spring. Half time for teacher licensure/ certification is defined as 5 credit hours for summer and 6 for fall/spring. Note: For most institutional scholarships, State programs and Jones Foundation grants, students must be full-time.

What is the "cost of attendance" on my financial aid award?

Please note that the Cost of Attendance figure on your award offer is much more than the actual amount that will be due directly to the university. The Federal Government requires that Financial Aid Offices establish a cost of attendance (COA) in calculating your eligibility for need‐based aid programs. The cost of attendance is also referred to as a budget. Student budgets are differentiated by: residency, classification and enrollment status. The standard components of the budget consist of a combination of your direct costs (tuition and fees, and university room and board) and indirect costs (books and supplies, transportation, miscellaneous expenses and loan fees). Indirect costs are typically not payable to the university, vary greatly from student to student and are dependent on other factors. For instance, while average loan fees are always included in your budget, this indirect costs’ impact on you is dependent on whether or not you decide to accept a loan.

Can I still receive a loan if I originally declined the offer?

For the Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and PLUS loans, you can receive the award as long as you are maintaining satisfactory academic progress, unless you received funds from a different source that replaced the loans previously declined.

How can I get financial aid in the summer?

The steps to receiving financial aid in the summer are: 1. Be admitted to the university and accepted to your program of study 2. Have a valid FAFSA on file with ESU 3. Enroll in summer hours (half time attendance required for federal student loans) 4. Once you are awarded financial aid, be sure to accept your award offer in Hornet 365. 5. Complete any required Entrance Loan Counseling and Master Promissory Note on Federal Student Aid's website.

What happens to my financial aid if I drop a class?

Your financial aid may be affected if you drop a class during the drop/add period. Some funds require that you remain enrolled full-time in order to receive and keep those funds. Other types of financial aid may be reduced if dropping a class will put you at a lower enrollment status than your current award offer reflects.

What happens to my financial aid if I withdraw a class?

Withdrawing from a class can affect your financial aid, but the affect may be different than if you were dropping the class. When a student withdraws from a class, they are considered to have attempted the course, but not completed the course. A certain number of hours must be completed in order to retain your financial aid eligibility.

How do I get excess financial aid?

You will first need to accept your award(s) in Hornet 365. If you are utilizing student loans for the first time at ESU, be sure you have completed your Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan Counseling, both of which can be found on the Federal Student Aid's website. When utilizing a Parent loan, be sure parent has completed both the PLUS Master Promissory Note (required for first PLUS loan at ESU) and PLUS application (required each year). Ensure you are familiar with ESU’s Tuition/Fee payment options which can be found on Emporia State's Business Office's website. Lastly, complete the Direct Deposit Authorization form which allows for any excess financial aid, scholarships, and other credit balances to be electronically deposited into your bank account. Otherwise, any excess funds will be made available to you in the form of a paper check beginning several days after the start of the semester

Can my financial aid be taken away because of a low GPA or too few credits?

We are required by the Department of Education to monitor academic progress to determine future eligibility for financial aid. Federal regulations require you to maintain a minimum cumulative G.P.A., as well as pass a minimum number of hours which are outlined in the online Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.

Can I repay my loans while I'm still in school?

You may repay your loans at any time while in school by contacting your loan servicer. The Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Veterans Services can assist you in determining where payments may be sent.

What type of assistance can undocumented students receive at ESU?

Under current laws, undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid or aid from the state of Kansas. Undocumented students are eligible to apply for institutional scholarships and some non-institutional scholarships. Also, undocumented students may qualify for in-state tuition if they meet the conditions under Kansas HB 2145. If these conditions are met, please contact the Registration Office at 620.341.5211 or reguser@emporia.edu for further assistance. Please look at the Q & A - Financial Aid & Undocumented Students from the U.S. Department of Education for further details.