The LEAD Program

How to apply for Financial Aid

• Apply for a PIN
  
• Complete the FAFSA
  
• Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  
  When completing your Master Promissory Note, you will need to choose a lender.  The lenders and loan options presented when completing your Master Promissory Note were selected for the excellent terms and benefits they provide to borrowers. Our institution has worked with these lenders in the past, and previous borrowers had positive experiences working with them.  To determine which lenders and loan options to present, we use strict criteria based on your interests and not those of our institution. We recognize only those lenders who provide you with exceptional customer service, excellent incentives (e.g., low interest rates, no origination fees, and loan principal reductions), timely processing, and electronic funds transfer capabilities when possible.  All of the information provided on the Loan Options page is reviewed annually to ensure that the benefits that lenders offer continue to adhere to our criteria. Any loan options that no longer adhere to our criteria are removed, and new loan options that meet our criteria are added. At least three lenders will be presented to you at all times.  You are free to select any lender and loan option, including those not presented. If you choose a loan option that is not presented, please follow the provided instructions to complete the application process. Application processing will not be delayed unnecessarily if you choose a loan option not presented.  We maintain professional relationships with all lenders. Our officials are prohibited from accepting financial or other benefits in exchange for displaying lenders and loan options. These include: receiving compensation to serve on any lender board of directors or advisory boards; accepting gifts including trips, meals, and entertainment; allowing lenders to staff our institution's financial aid office; allowing lenders to place our institution's name or logo on any of their products; and owning lenders' stock (for those college officials who make loan decisions for our institution).

  Please use our lender comparison tool to view each lender and their borrower benefits.

• Complete the Entrance Loan Counseling (required for first time borrowers only)
  
• Complete appropriate Verification Request (if selected)

  Verification worksheets:
  
  
  • 2008-2009 Indepdenent Verification Worksheet
  • 2008-2009 Dependent Verification Worksheet
    
  • 2007-2008 Indepdendent Verification Worksheet
  • 2007-2008 Dependent Verification Worksheet
    
Copy of your/spouse/parent signed current Federal Tax Return

• The award letter details all grant and loan eligibility with amounts and dates of disbursements for one academic year.
  
• If you withdraw from the program prior your first loan disbursement being disbursed, you will not be eligible to receive any of your loan funds.
  
• For the LEAD program, an academic year is defined as a period of instructional time consisting of 24 credit hours and 30 weeks in the undergraduate program and 24 credit hours and 48 weeks in the graduate program.
  
• You will be awarded MAXIMUM eligibility. If you want an amount less than what you are awarded, you must notify the Financial Aid Office immediately.
  
• If all required financial aid paperwork is complete, you will receive your award letter via email once attendance of your first class has been verified.
  
• Please note if you only attend one night of class, you will not be eligible to receive any student loans.
  
  

.