Admissions

Students may apply any time after October 1. For the current school year, the FAFSA must be completed before the student’s last day of attendance. For example, a student attending fall and spring semesters must complete the FAFSA before the last day of the spring semester.

Some programs, such as North Star Promise, have earlier deadlines. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the deadline is June 1, 2026.

Yes, students should renew their FAFSA each academic year they plan to attend.

Students planning to attend Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 must submit the 2025–2026 FAFSA.

Students planning to attend Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027 must submit the 2026–2027 FAFSA.

Students must log in to StudentAid.gov using their FSA ID and password. They should select “Make FAFSA Corrections,” navigate to the school section, and update the school code. Saint Paul College’s school code is 005533.

Dependency status is determined by FAFSA responses and federal guidelines. Based on answers to specific questions, students may be required to provide parental information, even if they do not live with their parents or are not claimed on their taxes.

Students should refer to the Federal Student Aid website for more details on dependency status.

Financial aid budgets include food and housing as indirect costs, but students are responsible for paying their own housing expenses.

If required, students will receive an aid application letter from the Saint Paul College Financial Aid Office listing any additional documentation needed. In some cases, students may use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer tax information directly into the FAFSA.

Students can check their status by logging into eServices using their StarID and password, selecting the Financial Aid tab, and reviewing the Aid Application Status Letter for the correct semester.

The student must review the status letter, complete it in full, and provide any requested documentation. Digitally typed signatures are not accepted.

Important: Falsifying information or omitting assets on the FAFSA is a federal crime. If a student intentionally provides false or misleading information, consequences may include fines of up to $20,000, imprisonment, repayment of all financial aid received, and expulsion from the college.

Processing may take up to two weeks. If additional information is needed, the student will receive an email with further instructions.

Financial aid offers are available once the student’s file is complete, including all required documentation and verified tuition and fee information. Students can view their offer in eServices.

Work study eligibility is determined using FAFSA data and follows the same process as other financial aid programs. Not all students qualify. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Students who do not qualify can search for job opportunities in local listings or on the college’s job platform, Handshake.

Students receive an award notification via their school email outlining loan eligibility. The application process includes:

1. Completing entrance counseling 
2. Completing the master promissory note (MPN) 
3. Accept the desired loan amount in the eServices account. 

Loan amounts are awarded for the full academic year, not by semester. Students planning to graduate after one semester must notify the Financial Aid Office to avoid issues with loan eligibility.

All external funding sources are considered when determining a student’s total financial aid and loan eligibility.

Subsidized loans: The federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled in at least six credits and during the six-month grace period. Interest begins once repayment starts.

Unsubsidized loans: Interest accrues immediately after disbursement. Students may choose to pay the interest while enrolled or allow it to capitalize (be added to the loan principal).

Saint Paul College issues refunds and student payroll through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution powered by BMTX, Inc.

Financial aid disbursements begin on the third Wednesday of the semester.

First-time loan borrowers must wait 30 days after the term begins before receiving their first disbursement.

Semester-only loans are split into two disbursements, with the first half applied in the third week and the second half applied mid-semester.

For Federal Direct Loans, repayment begins six months after graduation, withdrawal, or dropping below half-time enrollment.

State and alternative loans may have different repayment terms. Students should consult their lenders and communicate proactively if they experience difficulty making payments.

Students can log in to StudentAid.gov to review lender information and borrowing history.

If a student fails to complete at least 60% of their courses, their financial aid will be recalculated. The student may owe Saint Paul College a balance that is due immediately, and loan repayment may begin earlier.

An FN (Failure for Nonattendance) grade affects a student’s financial aid because it indicates the student did not attend the course. This lowers the students’ completion rate and may result in a recalculation of financial aid. Courses with an FN grade are not eligible for financial aid, and the student is responsible for any associated costs.