FAQ: Applying for Financial Aid

Answer: The first step is to applying for Financial aid is to create an FSA ID. Once created, your FSA ID will take 1-3 business days to verify. You'll receive a verification email from department of ED. After that point, you can begin your FAFSA.

Answer:: For help completing the FAFSA please contact Student Central. 443.84.2222 A Financial Aid representative can assist you.

• Financial Aid Checklist

Answer: MDCAPS is MHEC's comprehensive financial aid system that allows us to process State scholarship applications. To use MDCAPS, you must first create a student login profile by:

• Creating a MDCAPS student log-in. This will create your student account.
• Click the link in the new activation email you will receive after creating your account
• Check your spam filter if you do not see the activation email in your inbox

Answer: 

• Always ask if the student has accepted the federal loans first!!
• Katie Schneider is the private loan certifier.

Answer: Check to make sure FAFSA is complete and all docs have been processed as applicable. Accept loans in SIMON. Complete MPN/EC at studentaid.gov

Answer: To apply for Federal Work Study your FAFSA must be complete and you must be registered for at least 6 credits.

• Complete an employment application. Work Study Application

Answer: 

• LPR (Legal Permanent Resident) or US resident
• Asylee or Refugee (I-94 form)

Answer: 

Here are the steps to create an FSA ID:

• Step 1: Visit the FSA ID Website Go to [https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/createaccount](https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/createaccount).
• Step 2: Provide Personal Information - Enter your full name (as it appears on your Social Security card). - Provide your date of birth. - Enter your Social Security Number (SSN).
• Step 3: Create a Username and Password - Choose a unique username. - Create a strong password that meets the security requirements.
• Step 4: Enter Contact Information - Provide a valid email address and mobile phone number. - These will be used for account recovery and verification.
• Step 5: Set Up Challenge Questions - Select and answer security questions to help secure your account.
• Step 6: Agree to Terms and Conditions - Read and accept the terms and conditions.
• Step 7: Verify Your Email and Phone Number - Enter the verification codes sent to your email and phone number to activate your account.
• Step 8: Wait for Confirmation - Your FSA ID is now created, but it may take up to 3 days for verification with the Social Security Administration before you can use it to sign the​​​​​​​FAFSA. 

Answer: If You Forgot Your Username: Go to the FSA ID Website Visit https://studentaid.gov/help/forgot-fsa-id. Click on "Forgot My Username" Enter your email address or mobile phone number associated with your FSA ID. Choose a Recovery Option Email or Phone: Receive a verification code via email or text. Answer Challenge Questions: If you don’t have access to your email or phone, answer security questions. Retrieve Your Username If using email or phone, enter the verification code, and your username will be displayed.If You Forgot Your Password: Go to the FSA ID Website Visit https://studentaid.gov/help/forgot-password. Click on "Forgot My Password" Enter your username, email, or phone number. Verify Your Identity Email or Phone: Receive a verification code. Answer Security Questions: If you don’t have access to your email or phone, answer security questions. Create a New Password Enter a new password that meets the security requirements. Confirm the Change Log in with your new credentials to ensure the reset was successful.Additional Help: If you still cannot recover your FSA ID, call Federal Student Aid at 1-800-433-3243 for assistance.

Note: Make sure you are using  the email address that was originally used to sign in. Recovery steps will be sent to that email

• Call department of education. They can send recovery steps to a different email if the student no longer has access to the one used to create the account.