1. What you need to know

2. Consists of the Pell Grant and federal student loans To begin: Apply for your FAFSA PinFAFSA Pin If you have previously applied for a pin and forgotten it, you will need to choose Request a Duplicate. If you know your pin, continue to next step. Complete the 2015/2016 FAFSA ApplicationFAFSA Application *TIP*: If you have your school code it makes the process much smoother. When completing the student income section, please use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool by clicking on the box that says Link to IRS. This allows your tax information to be linked from the IRS directly to your FAFSA application. Complete Entrance CounselingEntrance Counseling Complete the Master Promissory NoteMaster Promissory Note Select Subsidized and Unsubsidized

3. Select Sign In under the "Manage My Direct Loan" section. Sign in with your Federal Student Aid PIN and verify your personal information.Sign In Request a Plus Credit check by choosing “Request a PLUS Loan.” **If your loan request was approved, please complete the next step. Choose "Complete Master Promissory Note " and then select "Parent PLUS." This is your promise to repay the loan. Be sure to choose the School State as South Dakota and the School NameMaster Promissory Note

4. There may be times when students may not have enough funding to cover all costs within their desired degree program. A private loan is a much better option than a credit card. However, you want to make sure that you have exhausted all of your other funding options before deciding a private loan is necessary. Such options include scholarships, state aid, Federal Financial Aid, and even your savings! If you feel a Private Loan is your best funding resource, you can APPLY NOW through FASTChoice APPLY NOW through FASTChoice

5. Your education is an important investment… so get excited about FREE MONEY!! Recommended scholarship resources: FastWeb.com Scholarships.com Petersons.com College Board.com Scholarship Experts.com *** Submitting a scholarship application does not guarantee that you will be awarded any or all of the scholarships. However, if you do not apply, you have missed your opportunity to be awarded them! ***

6. With any course there is the potential for multiple textbooks which can become spendy… don’t fret, there are ways to SAVE! Utilizing your financial aid and scholarships is definitely an option for purchasing books, however, if you can afford to cover some of the cost of books there are options available for purchasing new and used books as well as the ability to rent and return books after the term. www.chegg.com www.amazon.com www.half.ebay.com www.bigwords.com www.textbooks.com

7. Start paying on interest ASAP. Don’t borrow more than you need! Review your award letter Ask the instructor if you will actually be using the textbook(s). Talk to the financial aid advisor frequently.