Applying for Financial Aid
Students and parents completing the FAFSA online need to each create a FSA ID. Only create an FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You are not authorized to create an FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member. This FSA ID will be linked to your social security number so it is important that you will be able to remember it in the future. The FSA ID is used to electronically sign your FAFSA (or a dependent's FAFSA), complete loan requirements and to view your financial aid history.
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA. The FAFSA may be completed on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. By completing this document, you are applying for ALL types of Federal and State financial aid available at Riverland.
Online processing takes approximately one week. The college should receive your application based on this time frame. Additional processing time may be needed by the college after the data is received from the government. If you have not heard anything from the college after the FAFSA is processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the government. REVIEW THE DATA ON THE SAR FOR ACCURACY. If corrections are needed, follow instructions on the SAR or web site or contact any financial aid staff for assistance.
Helpful Hints When Applying for Aid:
Apply Early
Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) if possible or actual copies of your tax return
Double check your answers
Release information to Riverland by using school code 002335
Contact Enrollment Services if you have questions or concerns
Each academic year between 30-35% of students are selected for verification by the government or by the college. If selected, students must submit additional documentation to the Financial Aid Office. This is a routine process and does not mean that the student and/or parents have made any errors in submitting the data. Submitting these documents will result in a student's aid being processed in a timelier manner. The items to be verified will be determined by the Department of Education. It is possible that a student can be chosen to verify income items, such as taxes paid or Adjusted Gross Income, then later be chosen to verify their identity.
Awards are made for an entire academic year, unless a student has indicated they will be graduating at the end of fall semester.
Students may access their award letter by going online to http://www.riverland.edu/eservices/index.cfm. You will need your StarID number and your password. Contact enrollment services if you have difficulty in accessing your on line accounts.
View the "Easy Steps to the FAFSA" Video Tutorial.
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