Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there any financial aid for Summer 2011?

a. Yes, there is financial aid available. You must have a completed 2010-2011 FAFSA application on file in addition to your 2011-2012 FAFSA on file. The DACC office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will have a list available for you to sign up on April 25 if you are planning in enrolling for summer school

2. What is the deadline to submit FAFSA for Fall 2011?

a. The deadline to submit your 2011-2012 FAFSA is June 30, 2012, however to receive your money prior to the fall semester, you must have a completed 2011-2012 FAFSA on file 2 weeks prior to school starting.

3. Why do I need to turn in paperwork if I already entered it on the FAFSA?

a. The Department of Education randomly selects students for verification. If you are asked to submit additional documentation you have been selected for verification by the Department of Education.

4. What is the financial literacy counseling

a. The Financial Literacy counseling session is an institutional requirement for students seeking financial aid (e.g. federal, state, and institutional aid) at New Mexico State University and Dona Ana Community College. The session will show you how to manage your money and future credit. You can complete the counseling requirement by going online to our NMSU Financial Aid Counseling Center.

5. What is the entrance counseling?

a. All first-time borrowers are required to complete a loan counseling session prior to receiving loan funds. Continuing your education is a major investment in your future. If you decide to make loans a part of this investment, managing the debt you incur is a major responsibility. To ensure that you understand this responsibility and the obligation you are assuming, the Federal Government requires you to participate in loan counseling prior to receiving

6. Why don’t you just tell me all the paperwork I need to bring to avoid having to come back each time to bring you something else.

a. Sometimes we will ask for additional paperwork due to the fact that there are discrepancies on your FAFSA, tax forms, w-2’s etc… We must resolve the discrepancies prior to finalizing your FAFSA application

7. Can I e-mail you the documents? Or Can I fax them?

a. You can email the documents to our office at daschlr@nmsu.edu or fax to our office at 575-527-7763. If you are doing either of the two, please make sure that your banner ID is at the top of each document emailed or faxed.

8. The Financial Literacy login will not take my username and password.

a. You must register and set up your account to access the financial literacy counseling. Once you have setup your account, then select "Financial Literacy Counseling." After you watch the video segments, you will be given a quiz to test your understanding of the material presented. If you successfully complete the test, you will receive an email shortly afterwards.

9. Why can’t I just drop off the paperwork without having to stand in line?

a. Our front desk will make sure that you are submitting the right paperwork and that it is signed. In addition they will look at your file to see if there is anything else that might be needed. If you would like to avoid the long lines, you may submit by email to daschlr@nmsu.edu or fax to 575-527-7763. Please make sure your banner id number is on all documents prior to submitting.

10. Why are they asking me to bring in paperwork when I did not have to do it before?

11. Why are they asking me to bring in citizenship information again?

a. For those students who have recently become naturalized citizens, if they don’t inform the Social Security Office of their new citizenship status and possibly their new name if they happened to change it, the system will keep requesting them to bring in records.

12. What amounts do I qualify for?

a. Amounts may vary from student to student. To check to see what you have been offered, log into your myNMSU account and click on the student/financial aid tab. Then click on financial aid under the quick links. Click on Award, then go to the correct aid year. Then go to award overview.

13. When is my Fall aid going to be disbursed?

a. Fall financial aid will be disbursed one day prior to classes starting, August 17th. To avoid lines please sign up for direct deposit. Log into your myNMSU account and click on the student/financial aid tab. Under quick links, click financial aid. Then go to Direct Deposit Enrollment and enter your information.

14. Can I speak to an advisor?

a. All students may see a financial aid advisor, however many of the questions can be answered by our front desk personnel. If they cannot address your questions or concerns, they may sign you in with an advisor. Please keep in mind you may need to wait a while to see an advisor if they have other student signed in.

15. Can I have a hardcopy FAFSA?

a. You can download a paper FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1112/pdf/PdfFafsa11-12.pdf. However, we do encourage students to submit an online application as it is simpler and your application will be processed much faster.

16. I can’t buy books because I’m waiting on my FAFSA to be processed.

a. You may inquire at the bookstore as to opening a charge account, then when your financial aid comes in, you will need to pay that charge account off. We encourage students to complete their FAFSA’s and bring in all required documentation well before the semester is to start to avoid delays in processing.

17. Why do I have to appeal and why did not anyone tell me?

a. Our satisfactory academic progress policy is posted on our website, in the schedule of classes, and in the DACC catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to understand those policies. You also will receive notification via you’re myNMSU email if you are on an academic progress hold.

18. I don’t understand the letter that is sent asking us to provide additional documents.

a. We provide students that need to submit additional documents a hard copy letter in addition to an email. These letters are to inform students of additional documents that are required by our office to process their FAFSA. It is important for student to submit these documents in a timely manner to avoid delays in the processing of their files. These documents can be found at http://dacc.nmsu.edu/fa/financial-aid-forms.html

19. What is WorkStudy? How can I get it?

a. Federal Work Study is a federal program that provides an opportunity for you to work and earn money to help pay for educational expenses. The program allows you to work up to 20 hours per week, at a minimum wage, while school is in session. You obtain employment on or off campus, the latter at a nonprofit community service agency. Eligibility for Federal Work Study is also determined by financial need and availability of funds. When filling out your FAFSA, you need to mark that you are interested in workstudy. To find a workstudy job, you will need to go online to http://www.nmsu.edu/~finaid/postings/ and contact the department of interest.

20. Can I make an appointment to speak to a Financial Aid Advisor?

a. Our advisors see students on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 11:30am and then from 1pm-4:30pm.

21. Can somebody help me to complete my FAFSA today?

a. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers FAFSA workshops on a weekly basis. To see the workshop schedule please to http://dacc.nmsu.edu/fa/financial-aid-workshops.html