Important Financial Aid News
NOW is the time to file you 2012-2013 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov by our Priority Deadline of March 1st 2012!
IMPORTANT: Updates have been made to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to include an IRS Data Retrieval Process that will allow students and parents (once they have filed their tax returns) to populate their tax return information on the FAFSA. Complete and file your 2011 Federal Tax Return with the IRS for both students and parents as soon as possible and approximately 3 weeks after you file your tax return with the IRS you can go to the FAFSA and use the IRS Data Retrieval Process by clicking 'LINK TO IRS'. Note: Married students who file separate returns or Parents of a Dependent student who file separate returns may not use the 'LINK TO IRS' retrieval.
FAFSA VERIFICATION: The Department of Education has also updated regulations for students who are selected for Verification. The Financial Aid Office can no longer accept copies of Federal Tax Returns. Students whose FAFSA has been selected for Verification MUST use the IRS Data Retrieval Process on the FAFSA or request a copy of their Federal Tax Return Transcript by calling the IRS at 1-800-908-9946.
How to request a Federal Tax Return Transcript:
1) Online Request: Access www.irs.gov - in the online services section click 'Order a Tax Return Transcript'. Enter the tax filers data (ssn, dob, address, etc.) and continue. In the Type of Transcript field select 'Return Transcript' (not account transcript) for the Tax Year 2011. Once this request is validated the IRS will mail you the transcript and you will need to forward it to the Financial Aid Office.
2) Telephone Request: Call 1-800-908-9946 and enter tax filers data (ssn, dob, address, etc.) then select Option 2 to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript for 2011. Once this request is validated the IRS will mail you the tax return transcript and you will need to forward it to the Financial Aid Office.
3) Paper Request Form - IRS Form 4506T-EZ: Download the request form at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf./f4506tez.pdf and complete lines 1-6 for 2011. Be sure to sign the form and enter your telephone number. Mail or fax it to the appropriate address or number on the form. Once this request is validated the IRS will mail you the tax return transcript.
REMEMBER: Your Upstate Email Account is our main form of communication with you, allowing you quicker access to important information concerning Financial Aid. Please make sure to check your Upstate E-mail Account frequently in order to comply with new Federal Regulations concerning Financial Aid.
HELP: Call the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions at 864-503-5340 or e-mail us at finaid@uscupstate.edu.
Direct Lending Program to Secure Federal Student Loans
Due to instability in student loan funding markets along with the impacts of recent federal legislative changes and proposals, the University of South Carolina Upstate will convert from the Federal Family Education Loan Program to the Federal Direct Loan (DL) Program beginning with the Fall 2010 semester. These programs are virtually identical and with loan funding provided directly from the U.S. Treasury, the DL program provides certainty that access to student and parent loans in the future will not be a concern. For immediate Direct Loan information and what you and your family will need to do in order to borrow next year, click here. Student and parent borrowers will be provided more complete information in the very near future.
Federal Work-Study Award Cancellation Date
If you have been awarded Federal Work-Study (FWS) for the Fall 2011 semester and you have not found a job by September 30, 2011, your FWS award will be cancelled. If you are having difficulty finding a job, contact the Office of Financial Aid or the Human Resources Office for job placement assistance. If you wish to cancel your FWS award, please do so immediately by following the instructions on your award letter for declining your award or by sending a written request to our office.
Enhanced LIFE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and Hope Scholarship
On June 29, 2007, the South Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that enhances the value of LIFE and Palmetto Fellows awards for students majoring in math and science disciplines.The maximum award for the Hope Scholarship also has been increased. These changes are effective beginning in the fall of 2007. 