Because a large majority of college students receive at least one form of financial aid, it's very possible that you will need to visit your school's financial aid office from time to time. In this article, we'll help you understand what the financial aid office is, what services it provides, and how you can use it to navigate paying for college!

What is the financial aid office?

Your school's financial aid office is a center on your campus that supports students and families with their financial aid applications and awards. "Financial aid" includes federal aid awarded through the FAFSA, private scholarships, state aid, and institutional aid awarded only through your school. Staff in your school's financial aid office work to make sure all students' aid is processed and awarded to them correctly and on time. 

What services does the financial aid office provide?

Most financial aid offices offer similar assistance:

• Helping students understand their different aid options, like grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
• Assisting with applications like the FAFSA, state aid applications, and the CSS Profile.
• Collecting and verifying required documents (such as tax returns or income statements).
• Determining how much aid a student qualifies for and issuing them a financial aid offer letter.
• Disbursing funds to your tuition bill or issuing refund checks to students.
• Advising students on how to accept, decline, or adjust parts of their aid packages.
• Clarifying loan terms, repayment rules, and academic progress requirements.
• Handling special cases or appeals (such as loss of family income, medical expenses, or other unexpected financial changes).

Depending on the school you attend, your financial aid office may have different or additional types of support it offers to students.

When & why you might visit the financial aid office

Here are some common scenarios when you might need to visit your school's financial aid office:

• If you want to review or ask questions about your financial aid offer for the year, especially if your family's financial situation has changed since the tax year you reported on your FAFSA. In this situation, you may be eligible to complete a change in financial circumstances appeal form to request additional aid. Someone in the financial aid office can assist you with locating and completing this form, as well as gathering the required documentation to submit with it. 
• If you were selected for FAFSA verification and need to provide required documentation to resolve any issues.
• If you have questions about any of your aid options, including questions around eligibility, requirements to keep that aid, and new aid opportunities that come up.
• If you are required to take entrance counseling before receiving a federal student loan. 
• If you experience an unexpected financial emergency and have questions about short-term aid options. 

There are many different reasons a student might need to visit their school's aid office. Regardless of your reason, don't hesitate to seek out the support you need!

How to find & contact the financial aid office

Most college campuses have a dedicated financial aid office that students can visit during business hours. Some schools may also offer virtual help, such as office hours held over Zoom. You can usually find this information on your school’s website or student portal. If you have a larger question or concern, you may talk to a financial aid counselor or officer. For small things like tuition payments or document submissions, you may talk to office staff. Some schools may even assign students a specific financial aid advisor based on their year or the first letter of their last name. It’s worth checking if your school does this, so you know exactly who to reach out to when you need support.

What to bring with you

To make your visit to the financial aid office go smoothly (and honestly, to save yourself a second trip), it really helps to come prepared. The more organized you are, the easier it’ll be for them to give you clear answers and support. Here are some examples of things you may need to bring or have on hand:

• FAFSA Submission Summary and/or Student Aid Index (SAI) for FAFSA or federal aid-related questions. 
• Contributor tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs, or letters of separation from employers if you are requesting an aid adjustment.
• Scholarship or grant award letters to help the office understand your full financial picture.
• Questions about deadlines, loan terms, special circumstances, or anything else you need support with!

It also doesn’t hurt to bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down notes or action items. Financial information can get confusing, so you’ll thank yourself later for taking notes.

Student advocacy & navigational capital

Navigating financial aid can definitely feel overwhelming at first, but learning to advocate for yourself is a big part of the process. In college, things work a little differently than in high school. Because of FERPA privacy laws, you’re legally responsible for your own records, not your parents or counselors. That means it’s up to you to speak up if something looks confusing, keep copies of all your forms and emails, and ask questions whenever deadlines or requirements aren’t clear. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! The more proactive you are, the easier it’ll be to stay on top of everything and make sure you’re getting the support you deserve.

Money management beyond aid

It's important to be aware of the realities of college financial aid. For example, it's very possible that your financial aid package may not cover every expense for the year, including things like books, housing, transportation, and personal expenses. The good news is that the financial aid office can potentially connect you with financial literacy workshops or resources to make managing your money a little easier. These can cover things like budgeting for everyday expenses, understanding how student loan repayment works, and finding ways to avoid taking on too much debt by combining aid with scholarships, part-time work, or savings. 

Want to learn more about financial literacy? Check out our money management resources!

Do you have any questions about the financial aid office? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.