Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- Should I pay someone to help me to complete the FAFSA?
- Why am I considered Dependent? I don't live with my parents and they don't claim me as a tax exemption. Why do I have to include their information on the FAFSA?
- My parents are divorced. Whose income do I put on the FAFSA?
- What is the income limit to qualify for financial aid?
- How long does it take after I submit the FAFSA?
- How do I use BroncoWeb to view my financial aid information?
- How do I find out if I have been awarded financial aid?
- How many credits are required for financial aid?
- I have a work-study award. What is "work-study?" How do I find a job?
- My income is a lot less than when I submitted the FAFSA. Is there anything I can do to update the information?
- Why are you asking for tax information? I already entered it on the FAFSA.
- What do I need to do to allow my spouse/parents access to information on my financial aid?
- How do I get my money?
- I had a student loan that I was repaying but have now decided to return to college. Where do I take my loan deferment form?
- How often do I need to apply for financial aid?
- I have a Financial Aid Hold on my record for Satisfactory Academic Progress and I don't understand what I should do now. Where can I get some answers?
How do I apply for financial aid?
You must first be admitted to Boise State University. Work directly with the Admissions Office to apply to Boise State.
Next, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). FAFSA on the Web is the preferred application. All the submitted data will be analyzed by the federal process and then electronically transmitted to Boise State. This one application is utilized to determine your eligibility for grants, most scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans.
Should I pay someone to help me to complete the FAFSA?
NO! Save your money for school! You (and your family if you are dependent) know your family situation best. Gather your federal tax returns and W2s for the previous year, obtain the balances of savings and checking accounts, and determine the value of investments and business. You are now ready to complete the FAFSA. The application will direct you to the specific line numbers on your tax return or W2s for income questions. It is acceptable to estimate your income on the FAFSA if you have not yet filed your taxes. If you estimate your income, you need to return to your FAFSA to make corrections once your taxes are complete.
Why am I considered Dependent? I don't live with my parents and they don't claim me as a tax exemption. Why do I have to include their information on the FAFSA?
Independent/Dependent status is determined by the answers to questions in Step 3 on the FAFSA. If you cannot answer "yes" to any of the questions, your parents' data is required. Financial aid comes from federal funds, with the premise being that it is the responsibility of the family to contribute to educational costs to the extent possible.
You must use marital status at the time of filing the FAFSA even if you plan to marry during the academic year. Marital status cannot be corrected later.
If extreme circumstances have created an irreparable rift between you and your parents that can be documented by professionals, you may submit a Petition for Dependency Override.
My parents are divorced. Whose income do I put on the FAFSA?
Use the income of the parent with whom you lived more during the last 12 months. (If you did not live with one parent more than the other, use income of the parent who provided more financial support during the last 12 months or during the most recent year that you actually received support from a parent.) If this parent is remarried, include the income of the step-parent.
What is the income limit to qualify for financial aid?
There is no specific income limit. A complicated formula is used to look at income, number of people in the household and in college, age of the eldest parent, investments, cash, savings, checking -- even the state of legal residence! You provide this information on the FAFSA application and the result is the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) which is used to determine the family's ability to pay for educational costs.
How long does it take after I submit the FAFSA?
Boise State will receive the online FAFSA approximately 10 days from the date you sign and submit it. Then, the Financial Aid Office will check your academic progress and enrollment status, number of credits in which you are enrolled, grade level and verification if required. It is difficult to give a timeline since it depends on the time of year and volume of applicants. When everything is in order, you will be awarded financial aid. The time frame for awarding depends on whether or not you need to submit documents to our office and how quickly you respond to such requests.
How do I use BroncoWeb to view my financial aid information?
Once you have successfully logged into BroncoWeb, you will be able to view any "Holds" on your records (including financial aid holds), "To Do Items" and your financial aid award. The "Holds" and "To Do Items" appear on the first screen that is visible. This is also where you can change your mailing address and telephone numbers. To view and accept your financial aid award, we provide great visual instructions as well as a video to coach you through this process.
How do I find out if I have been awarded financial aid?
You will be sent an award notice to your Boise State BroncoMail account. The amount of your financial aid award is also visible on BroncoWeb. You can speed up your financial aid disbursement by closely watching for your award on BroncoWeb. When you see you have been awarded, use the "Accept and Decline Aid" link to accept the aid you wish to receive. No written notices are sent to your mailing address. Here are some details instructions on how to accept or adjust your aid.
How many credits are required for financial aid?
The number of credits you need to enroll in depends on the types of aid offered to you and what you have accepted and whether you are a graduate student or undergraduate/applied technology student.
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |
|---|---|---|
Pell Grant |
1 - 12 or more credits | Not Applicable |
Idaho Promise |
12 credits | Not Applicable |
Perkins Loan |
12 credits | 9 credits |
Ford Direct Loans |
6 credits minimum | 5 or more graduate credits |
Work-Study |
6 credits minimum | 5 or more credits |
PLUS Loans |
6 credits minimum | 5 or more graduate credits |
Scholarships |
Typically 12 or more | Varies by donor |
I have a work-study award. How do I find a job?
First you will need to register to view the "BroncoJobs" web site. Many work-study student employee jobs are listed with BroncoJobs. In addition, many departments will post notices indicating that they are hiring work-study students. Having a work-study award does not guarantee that you will be offered a job. You will need to actively look and inquire about jobs. The good news, though, is that many departments are seeking applicants. More specific information can be found in the Financial Aid Handbook.
My income is a lot less than when I submitted the FAFSA. Is there anything I can do to update the information?
If you have changes in your financial circumstances (i.e. job loss, loss of child support, death in the family, divorce, or disability) contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office to see if you are eligible to complete a Special Conditions Form and have your financial aid need reevaluated. The Special Conditions Form is available online.
Why are you asking for tax information? I already entered it on the FAFSA.
Approximately 30% of financial aid applicants at each school are selected for "verification." At Boise State, predetermined variables are set up based on the FAFSA questions where there are the highest errors. When data on a FAFSA shows a high probability of errors, the verification process is triggered. Staff members will manually compare your FAFSA data with information on your federal tax return and W2s to ensure the information is accurate. MANY times, this kind of review will improve a student's eligibility for desirable aid.
What do I need to do to allow my spouse/parents access to information on my financial aid?
Complete a Privacy Release form also known as a "Release of Information" form. You can locate the form online under printable forms on the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office. The form will need to be returned to one of the offices listed on the form: Admissions, Registrar's Office, Account Maintenance Office, or Financial Aid Office. This completed form is required before anyone else can get information regarding your financial aid.
How do I get my money?
Fees listed on your Boise State student account will first be paid from your financial aid. After any unpaid charges are cleared, balance funds will be available to you. Refund checks are mailed to your mailing address of record on BroncoWeb unless you make arrangements for refunds to be directly deposited to a bank account. Direct deposit is HIGHLY recommended because you will likely receive the money 2-3 days sooner. Make arrangements for Direct Deposit through the Student Finances section of BroncoWeb. Questions about refunds should be directed Account Maintenance Office, Room 211 in the Administration Building, by email to: SFInfo@boisestate.edu or you may call 426-2134.
I had a student loan that I was repaying but have now decided to return to college. Where do I take my loan deferment form?
To prove to a lender that you are enrolled more than half time, from BroncoWeb you will use the "National Clearinghouse" link under the Registrar's section. From there you can print off an official certification of enrollment that you attach to your lender's loan deferment and mail them to your lender. For more instructions and visual screen prints, see this "Timely Tip."
How often do I need to apply for financial aid?
You only complete one FAFSA application for each academic year. For the upcoming academic year, starting with Fall semester, the best time to apply is the January and February prior.
I have a Financial Aid Hold on my record for Satisfactory Academic Progress and I don't understand what I should do now. Where can I get some answers?
Because there are so many unique situations involving Satisfactory Academic Progress, you will find another list of Frequently Asked Questions just on this topic. Check out the SAP FAQs.