Receiving an Award Package
1. Admissions Requirement:
In order to be awarded any financial aid at Stony Brook, you must first be admitted into a degree-granting program at the University.
2. Valid FAFSA Results for Federal Student Aid:
If you are applying for Federal student aid, we must also receive an electronic copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) containing an Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
IMPORTANT: If your SAR contains a ‘C’ indicator printed next to the EFC, a resolution is required before we can determine your federal aid eligibility. Please refer to the Comments section of your SAR to see what action is required. A 'To Do List' item displaying the necessary action required will also appear when you log into Stony Brook's SOLAR System.
3. Viewing Financial Aid Awards:
All financial aid award offers can be viewed electronically by accessing Stony Brook's SOLAR System. A 'To Do List' item with accept/decline instructions will also be listed on SOLAR when action is required.
4. Schedule of Financial Aid Packages for Fall/Spring
New Fall Undergraduates: Packaging begins March 1st
Continuing and Returning Undergraduates: Packaging begins July 1st
All Graduate Students: Packaging begins July 1st
New Spring Students: Packaging begins December 1st
5. Checking the Status of Your Financial Aid:
It is recommended that you log into the SOLAR System on a regular basis to perform the following financial aid actions: view your current awards, accept/decline award offers, read personal SOLAR messages, and view your financial aid ‘To Do’ items (actions required).
What Other Forms Need to be Completed?
- Verification: Verification is a process similar to an audit, required by the U.S. Department of Education, in which specific items reported on your FAFSA are validated through a manual review of supporting documents. If your application has been selected for our institutional verification, a 'To Do' item with instructions and a link to the required form (if applicable) will be listed via Stony Brook's SOLAR System. Forms can be downloaded on our forms page. Please be sure to respond promptly in order to avoid delays or cancellation of your Federal aid. Your awards will not be finalized until all requested information has been received and processed.
- Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN): If you have accepted your Federal Perkins Loan, and do not already have a valid Perkins MPN on file with Stony Brook, a ‘To Do’ item with instructions for signing this MPN will be listed via Stony Brook's SOLAR System. To avoid unnecessary delays, be sure to check the SOLAR System regularly. Please note: you will only be able to sign your MPN if you have enrolled for classes and have submitted all necessary documentation.
- Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN): Once you have accepted your Federal Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Stafford loan, enrolled for classes, and have submitted all requested information, we will electronically transmit the acceptance of your loans to New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). If HESC determines that you do not have a valid MPN on file, a "To Do" item will be listed via Stony Brook's SOLAR System. It will contain a link with instructions on choosing a lender and completing your e-MPN online. You must complete the MPN in order for your loan to be approved and funds to be sent and applied to your University account.
- Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN): Once you have accepted your Federal Graduate PLUS loan offer, enrolled in classes, and have submitted all requested information, we will electronically transmit the acceptance of your loan to New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). If HESC determines that you do not have a valid MPN on file, they will send you instructions on how to complete and sign your Graduate and Professional Student PLUS MPN on-line. You must complete the MPN and have an acceptable credit history in order for your loan to be approved and for funds to be sent and applied to your University account.
- Parent PLUS Loan for Undergraduate Students Master Promissory Note (MPN): Parents wishing to apply for a PLUS loan must complete the MPN on-line at New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The parent applicant must have an acceptable credit history in order for the loan to be approved and for funds to be sent and applied to the student's University account. If a parent is denied a PLUS loan the student should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Services to discuss additional loan eligibility.
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