To apply for scholarships at RSU, you must complete the FAFSA and a separate scholarship application, available from the RSU Office of Financial Aid on any RSU campus.
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Step 1
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Get a PIN |
- Before beginning the FAFSA, you should apply for the U.S. Department of Education personal identification number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN allows you to sign your FAFSA electronically and to correct your processed FAFSA information online.
- After you receive the PIN assigned to you, we recommend you change it to something easy to remember. Don't share your PIN with anyone.
- If you are providing parent information on the FAFSA, one of your parents must also sign your application. To sign electronically, your parent must apply for his or he own PIN.
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Step 2
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Gather the Information Required to Apply
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- Your Social Security number. Your parents' Social Security numbers if you are providing parent information.
- Your driver's license number if you have one.
- Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S citizen.
- Federal tax information or tax returns, including W-2 information, for yourself, for your spouse if you are married, and for your parents if you are providing parent information. Use income records for the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying.
- Records of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and veterans benefits, for yourself (and for your parents if you are providing information); and information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for yourself (and for your parents if you are providing parent information).
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Step 3
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Be Aware of Deadlines |
Students must adhere to the following deadlines to apply for financial aid at RSU:
- January 1: Apply as soon after this date as possible to be considered for all financial aid programs.
- March 1: Recommended date for priority processing of your financial aid and scholarship applications.
- June 1: Your file must be complete with the RSU Office of Financial Aid to be eligible for September disbursement of funds.
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Step 4
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Use the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (Optional) |
| You can obtain a copy of the worksheet at the RSU Office of Financial Aid, or you can print one from www.fafsa.ed.gov. This worksheet is optional, but it will help you collect the information you need to fill out your FAFSA online. |
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Step 5
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Complete the FAFSA Application |
Enter all necessary information on the FAFSA application at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you need assistance, there are help links on each page of the online application.
- Important: remember to designate RSU as the institution to receive your results. The code for RSU is 003168.
- If you don't have access to the web, you may pick up the FAFSA worksheet from the RSU Office of Financial Aid on any RSU campus or from your high school guidance counselor. A computer is available at the RSU Office of Financial Aid on the Claremore campus to file your FAFSA online.
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Step 6
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Submit Your Application |
| After you submit your application, make sure you receive a confirmation number. This number tells you that your application has been successfully submitted. Keep this confirmation number for your records. |
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Step 7
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Follow Up on Your FAFSA |
| Your application will be processed and you will receive an email message with a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you did not provide an email address, you will receive your SAR by mail. You should review your SAR for any necessary corrections or updates. If you do not hear from us within three weeks go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and select "Check the Status of a Submitted FAFSA." |
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Step 8
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Submit Additional Information to the RSU Office of Financial Aid |
Once the RSU Office of Financial Aid has received your SAR, we will send you a letter requesting any additional information that may be required to complete your financial aid file. Some items we may request include:
- Student Data Form (provided by the RSU Office of Financial Aid)
- Copies of a high school transcript or GED certificate
- Copies of signed Federal tax returns
- Verification worksheet (provided by the RSU Office of Financial Aid)
- Financial aid transcripts from previously attended institutions
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Step 9
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You Will Receive Your Financial Aid Award Letter from RSU |
After you have provided all the necessary information to the RSU Office of Financial Aid, your file will be given to a financial aid counselor. Your financial aid award will be based on the credit hours in which you are enrolled and your eligibility, as determined by the U.S. Department of Education (based on the information you provided on the FAFSA.)
When your file is complete and your awards have been determined, you will be sent an award letter. Your financial aid award letter may list several types of aid. You may accept all of the aid awarded to you, part of it, or none of the aid. However, you must sign and return the award letter within two weeks, indicating your decision to accept or reject the awards. |
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Step 10
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Need Help Applying? |
| To get assistance in completing the FAFSA or to ask any questions, you may call the toll-free help line between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (TTY) for the hearing impaired. Or you may call the RSU Office of Financial Aid between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at (918) 343-7553 or 1-800-256-7511. |
