Financial Aid Process

IMPORTANT NOTICE!! All Financial Aid communication for Bethel University students will be through your Bethel email address. If you are a current student and are unsure about your campus email, please see the Helpdesk for Information Technology in Campbell Hall. 


FINANCIAL AID PROCESS

STEP 1:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will allow you to be awarded federal aid for one academic year. You must file a Renewal FAFSA each subsequent year to continue receiving federal aid. 

A. Go to www.pin.ed.gov to apply for a PIN with the US Department of Education. The PIN will be used as your signature for the FAFSA, FAFSA corrections, Direct Loan MPN,  and Federal student aid record access.  If you are a dependent student, one parent must also apply for a PIN in order to electronically sign the FAFSA.  Keep your PIN in a secure place as you will use this same PIN each year.
 
B. Complete the FAFSA online at  www.fafsa.gov.  Bethel's School Code is 003480.  You will need your current year tax return and W-2's. Tennessee residents must file the FAFSA by February 12 to be considered for the TSAA Grant.  

 STEP 2:

If additional information is required, you will receive a letter from the Bethel University Financial Aid Office. The US Department of Education randomly selects student FAFSA's for a process called verification. If your FAFSA is selected, the Financial Aid Office must receive documentation to verify the information you reported on your FAFSA. You will be asked to complete a Verification Worksheet and provide a SIGNED copy of your current year tax return. If you are a dependent student, we will also need a SIGNED copy of your parents' current year tax return. All documentation must be received and verification completed before an award package is offered. The Verification Worksheet can be downloaded below:

2009-10 Verification Worksheet 

2010-11 Verification Worksheet
 

STEP 3:

View and accept your Financial Aid. Once awarded, your Financial Aid may be viewed in the Student ePortal which is accessed from this website (See the Bethel University Homepage, right column). New students must be accepted for admission before any aid is offered. You must accept or decline each award. If your award letter contains a Federal Direct loan, you must also apply for the loan by following the instructions on this website under "Apply for an Education Loan" or by following the links on the ePortal Financial Aid page.  If you still owe a balance after your financial aid is applied, a dependent student's parent may choose to be considered for a Direct Parent Plus loan. Direct Parent Plus loan information is also found under " Apply for an Education Loan".  Another option is our interest-free payment plan. 

 

Bethel University
Financial Aid Office
College of Liberal Arts/College of Graduate Studies
325 Cherry Avenue
McKenzie, TN  38201
731-352-6418
731-352-3407 (fax)