Checklist

Checklist for current students

 

FAFSA Application
Need-based financial assistance requires filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the Trine University application for admission form. Trine University's school code is 001839 and the priority filing deadline for the University is March 1.
 
Apply Early!
It is to your benefit to apply early. The best financial aid packages are given to students who have adequately planned and prepared for their college education. Complete FAFSA on line by the March 1 deadline or send in your paper copy so that it is received by the Department of Education by the March 1 deadline.

Missing Document Letter
If you receive a missing document letter or email from the Office of Financial Aid requesting additional information from you before we can send you a financial aid award letter, please respond. Please contact our office if you have questions. Also, check out the Trine University web site as many of documents needed can be found in the “forms to download” section.

Parent PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS loans are designed to assist parents who need additional educational financing. Loan approval is based on credit worthiness and ability to repay. Parent loans are available to a parent whose student is pursuing a degree program, enrolled at least half-time(Undergraduate Students must take at least 6 credit hours to be considered half-time), and is maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress. In addition, students and their parent/s must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ). As with any loan, careful consideration should be made in determining amounts to be borrowed, as the loan must be repaid. To borrow a PLUS loan for a student, the parent must be the student's biological or adoptive mother or father.  The spouse of a parent who has remarried (i.e., the student's stepparent) is also eligible to borrow a PLUS on the student's behalf, if his/her income and assets would be taken into account when calculating the dependent student's expected family contribution on the FAFSA.  A legal guardian is not considered a parent for FSA purposes.

Interest rates for Parent PLUS loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 will be at a fixed interest rate of 8.5%. Interest is charged on the loan from the date the first disbursement is made until the loan is paid in full.

The academic year limit on a PLUS loan is equal to a student's cost of attendance (including tuition and fees, and an allowance for room, board, books, travel and miscellaneous) minus any financial aid the student is receiving.

TMS Payment

Payment Plan Option
The University has contracted Tuition Management Systems (TMS) to provide an interest-free payment option for those wishing to pay their bill in installments. Annual costs are budgeted and payments are spread over the year. Enrollment is fast and easy; you may enroll by mail, phone 888-216-4268 or by going to www.afford.com/options

To read or print a copy of the TMS installment payment plan flyer, click here.

This is an Adobe pdf document and you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader program installed on your computer to view or print this file. To download a copy of the Adobe program (if you do not have it installed), click here. Installation is easy and it's free!

This is the only installment plan available. The University will not offer internal payment plans.

MyTrineFA Site
Access to your financial aid award letters on line at https://mytrinefa.trine.edu anytime. Your log in and password will be mailed to you with your paper copy of the award letter.

How to compare award letters

Comparing Financial Aid Packages
You've applied to college(s) and for financial aid and now letters of acceptance, along with award letters, are arriving in the mail. The amounts of financial aid offered by the college(s) you applied to may be substantial, but the amount of aid offered isn't always as important as the types of aid in the financial aid package. Deciphering these financial aid award letters is vital to evaluating your college options and choosing the school that suits you best. But calculating the value of an award letter and comparing it to other award letters can be confusing. The following are some tips that will help you decipher award letters and compare aid packages.

Start at the Bottom
At the bottom of each award letter, there will be a total financial aid amount calculated for each school you're considering. Compare this calculated financial aid award to the cost of attendance at the institution. Cost of attendance includes tuition, room and board, and university fees. A student's financial need (used to determine how much aid they get) depends on the cost of attendance, which varies with each school. Some schools may have a higher cost of attendance, but the actual cost to the student may not be so high because the financial aid package will also be larger. The difference between the aid package and the cost of attendance is what you will be responsible for paying. Compare the difference between financial aid and cost of attendance for each school that accepted you and try to estimate how much you will be able to pay for your college education. Organizing data in a spreadsheet is a great way to analyze and compare this information.

All Aid Is Not Created Equal
While weighing your options, keep in mind that grants and scholarships are free. Loans and work-study are also forms of financial aid, but loans have to be repaid and students must work to earn work-study aid. While a financial aid award letter may have the same total amount of aid, the package with more grant and scholarship aid is better because this money is free.

Be An Informed Borrower
If grants and scholarships don't cover the costs of attendance, you may need to take out a student loan. Make sure you understand the terms of that loan—the interest rate, the fees, and the repayment schedule. The federal government provides numerous loan forgiveness programs and flexible repayment options to help borrowers avoid defaulting on their loans. Make sure you are aware of these options in addition to the terms of your loan.

Like financial aid, all loans are not created equal. You need to know if your loans are subsidized or unsubsidized. This is an important detail. Subsidized loans are interest-free until after graduation, while unsubsidized loans begin to accrue interest right away. You may see a section with amounts listed under a "Parent PLUS Loans" title. These funds are available to parents who wish to borrow on behalf of their child and assume full responsibility for repayment—which can be deferred until after graduation without fees or penalties.

Work Study
There is also a possibility that you will be offered work-study as a way to contribute to the cost of your education. Pay is usually minimum wage, but working on campus is often a great way to interact with faculty and peers. Those who work on campus are also more likely to complete their college degree.

Consider All The Costs
It's important to consider all the costs associated with attending college. Besides tuition and fees, consider the cost of books, transportation, and personal expenses. Not only does the cost of college vary considerably, the cost of attending school in different locations can vary significantly. When considering a specific award package, remember that living expenses can be much higher in New York City than Atlanta.

Imagine All The Variables
Thinking ahead can save you headaches. Make sure the funding will cover all four years. Also, look for any conditions attached to the award, such as maintaining a certain GPA or staying within a particular major. Be sure they are terms that you are comfortable with.

After you have compared all the financial aid packages, take time to consider the schools you applied to. You have to think about the academic programs the school offers, the campus, housing and the local infrastructure. These are aspects that will largely determine the quality of your college experience. You should also consider your career path and how much you can expect to make after graduation. Choosing the right college will greatly impact your life so choose wisely.

For more info, contact our financial aid office. Our Hours are: (Monday–Friday) 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Trine University
Office of Financial Aid
Forman Hall
1 University Avenue
Angola, IN 46703
260.665.4158
800.347.4878, option 2
260.665.4511 fax
email