Financial aid office offers assistance

By Kelly Lucas
Summer Reporter

If a student has a question about financial aid, the Division of Financial Aid is the right place to turn to, according to Joyce Hall, director of the Division of Financial Aid.

The Division of Financial Aid, located on the third floor of Schleman Hall, is open to all students who have questions or concerns about their financial aid and houses several materials and applications pertaining to financial aid for students' use.

"We are here for the students and to help the students," said Hall. "If they have difficulties paying for college, we can help."

The Division of Financial Aid has financial aid advisers on hand Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and advisers available to answer questions over the phone as well.

Hall said students are always welcome to make an appointment to come in and sit down with a financial aid adviser.

"We try to answer as many questions as we can at the desk, but we can always pull someone into the office with a counselor," said Hall.

Hall said there are numerous financial aid awards granted each year to students of Purdue. For the 2000-2001 school year she expects the 19,000 students at Purdue who are eligible for financial aid to receive close to $150 million total in financial aid.

Hall said there are numerous types of financial aid awards granted to students each year including grants, loans, scholarships and much more.

A student must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to receive financial aid from the federal government, the students' state and Purdue. Financial awards available from these resources are the Federal Pell Grant, Indiana Higher Education grant, Hoosier Scholarship and much more.

Hall encourages all students to file for financial aid by the deadline, March 1, but said aid may still be available for those who apply past the deadline.

Hall said students should not be discouraged if they do not qualify for financial aid and encourages all students to reapply each year. She said changes in family income may qualify a student later in his/her academic career; therefore, the students should reapply each year.

Hall said loans are also available and all students are usually eligible for them; Stafford loans being the most popular. Parent loans are also available to all parents, but require a credit check.

"If a parent is turned down for a loan, we may be able to get the student additional Stafford loans if necessary," said Hall.

Alternative loans are also available.

Students may also check their financial aid status online at www.ssinfo.purdue.edu.

The FAFSA is available at the Division of Financial Aid or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.