October 1
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. It is helpful to have a copy of your latest tax return when filling it out. 

IMPORTANT: When completing the FAFSA, make sure you list Ohio Dominican's school code: 003035. 

January–February
Ohio Dominican will begin sending Financial Aid Award Letter and Cost Estimate Worksheets.

February 15
FAFSA priority deadline.

April
Ohio Dominican will notify students of additional items needed to complete their financial aid.

April–June
Complete items needed to finish financial aid. Examples include master promissory notes for loans, entrance counseling, verification paperwork, etc. You will be notified by the Financial Aid Office on items that are needed.

March–August
Notify the Financial Aid Office if you are receiving any outside scholarships.

If you have never borrowed a Federal Stafford Loan before, you will need to complete  entrance counseling before your loan is disbursed. This will give you all the information you need regarding your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. You can do this online. 

Also, if you are a new borrower who has not completed a  Master Promisorry Note (MPN), you will need to do so to have your funds disbursed to your account. 

No funds will be disbursed until the MPN has been completed. Don't forget that you must be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours each semester in which you wish to borrow a Stafford loan.

Read more about student loans.

A very useful website for financial aid planning and calculating is FinAid.org.

FinAid's custom calculators can help you figure out how much school will cost, how much you need to save and how much aid you'll need.  You can also use these additional calculators:

• College Cost Projector
• Savings Plan Designer
• Financial Aid Estimation Calculator
• Loan Payment Calculator