Clayton State University Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Question

Applying for Financial Aid

How do I apply for financial aid?
You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as soon as possible after January 1. You can complete the FAFSA online at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. The web version guides you through the application and assists you in providing the right responses. Consequently, there are fewer errors with this method and therefore, fewer delays in processing your student aid. Clayton State University’s school code is 008976.

Please remember that you must apply for financial aid each academic year. For example, the 2008-2009 academic year consists of Fall Semester 2008, Spring Semester 2009, and Summer Semester 2009. The 2009-2010 academic year consists of Fall Semester 2009, Spring Semester 2010, and Summer Semester 2010.

How long does the financial aid process take?
Awards are made in the order in which files are completed. The Financial Aid Office has no way of predicting how many people may complete their files in any given week. As a result, no prediction can be made as to how long it will take for you to receive an award once your file is complete. Some students are randomly selected for verification by the Department of Education and will be required to submit other documents (i.e. parent/student tax returns, verification worksheet, etc). The additional time required will also depend on how quickly the additional documents requested are submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Please keep a copy of any documents that you submit to the Financial Aid Office as copies cannot be provided for you at a later date.

Are post-baccalaureate students eligible for financial aid?
A student must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds. A regular student is someone who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment to Clayton State University for the purpose of obtaining a degree or certificate. Students admitted as post-baccalaureate students into the category of non-degree/certificate students are not eligible for federal student aid funds because these students are taking courses for career development or personal enrichment only and are not seeking a degree or certificate from Clayton State University.

Can I use my W-2 to fill out the FAFSA?
No. You should complete your tax forms (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, etc) first and use that information to complete your FAFSA.

How can I get a copy of my federal tax return?
You have two easy and convenient options for getting copies of your federal tax return information (tax return transcript) by phone or by mail. Request transcripts by calling 1-800-829-1040, or order by mail using IRS Form 4506T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return). The IRS does not charge a fee for transcripts. Allow two weeks for delivery.

Must I be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?
No. HOPE Grant and HOPE Scholarship will pay the tuition regardless of the number of hours a student is enrolled. HOPE will cover $229 of the fee charges. Pell Grant and other federal grants will be prorated according to Department of Education’s calculation if a student is less than full-time. Student loan eligibility mandates that a student be enrolled for at least half-time (6 semester hours). Please note that financial aid will only pay for classes required for your major as identified on the DUCK. Refer to your course outline before you register for classes. When you register for classes, verify that the classes are in your major listed on the DUCK.

Are student loans considered financial aid?
Yes, loans are a form of financial aid. You must complete the FAFSA and go through the regular application process. You should indicate on the FAFSA that you are interested in loans. Notification of your eligibility for loans will be on your award letter. You must complete the online loan acceptance form after you are awarded if you decide to accept a loan. However, you must be enrolled in at least 6 hours to be eligible for a student loan.

If I’m not living at home with my parents, am I considered an independent student for financial aid purposes?

2008-2009 (Fall 2008, Spring 2009, and Summer 2009)
For 2008-2009, a student's dependency status is determined by questions #48 - #55 in Step 3 of the 2008-2009 FAFSA Form. It does not matter if you live with your parents, if you claimed yourself on your tax returns, or if you pay your own bills.

You will be considered a dependent of your parents for 2008-2009 if you answer ‘no’ to all of the questions below:

Were you born before January 1, 1985?
At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
As of today, are you married?
Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2009?
Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

For 2009-2010, a student's dependency status is determined by questions #48 - #60 in Step 3 of the 2009-2010 FAFSA Form. It does not matter if you live with your parents, if you claimed yourself on your tax returns, or if you pay your own bills.

You will be considered a dependent of your parents for 2009-2010 if you answer ‘no’ to all of the questions below:

Were you born before January 1, 1986?
As of today, are you married?
At the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010?
Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2010?
At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

How do I check the status of my financial aid online?
You can check the status of your financial aid by using the DUCK. Go to https://swan.clayton.edu and log on using your User Name and Password, then click on the Duck icon. If you have not been admitted yet, you may log on using the Guest Login. After you enter the SWAN portal, click on the Duck icon and use your Laker ID and PIN to access your information.

If you have difficulty with your log-on or PIN, contact the HUB at http://thehub.clayton.edu/, e-mail TheHub@clayton.edu, or call (678) 466-4357. Your password cannot be changed by an email or phone request. To have your password changed or reset, you must go to the HUB and show a picture ID.