The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / News / March deadline for federal loans and grants approaches

March deadline for federal loans and grants approaches

February 29, 2012 by Gabi Powell

The Student Financial Aid office is encouraging students to begin renewing and submitting their financial aid applications by March 1.

“This gives ACU the time to sort out scholarships and begin awarding financial aid letters at the beginning of April,” said Ed Kerestly, director of student financial services.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid determines the need for financial assistance, giving students the opportunity to receive federal grants.

Each year, current and prospective students may complete this financial aid form that consists of numerous questions indicating his or her family’s financial ability to pay for school. ACU grants require students to complete a FASFA, and are needed to renew scholarships funded by the school, Kerestly said.

“ACU uses this form, in addition to student’s academic performance throughout the year to make decisions about scholarship renewals,” Kerestly said.

According to the FASFA website, students who meet the eligible criteria, such as being a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security Number, may complete the free application online or through the Student Financial Services office.

“By submitting applications by Mar. 1, students are able to begin sorting out their finances in April and will be able to apply the grant money towards their fall financial statements which ACU issues in June,” Kerestly said.

Linda Mullings, with student financial services, said ACU uses the form to gauge the amount of assistance students need.

“Without this form, ACU would have no way of determining students’ financial needs, and how we can meet them,” she said.

While the FASFA and scholarship funds are primarily determined on a student’s family’s income, Mullings said other factors are considered, each student’s situation is personalized.

“This is the benefit of a small school, such as ACU,” Mullings said. “Where state schools have set strict deadlines, we try to help students throughout the year to do as much as we can.”

For more information and to access the free, online FASFA form, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

FASFA Qualifications

•  A U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an eligible non-citizen;

•  Have a valid Social Security Number;

•  Have a high school diploma or GED;

•  Are registered with the U.S. Selective Service (if you are a male ages 18 to 25);

•  Complete a FAFSA promising to use any federal aid for educational purposes

•  Do not owe refunds on any federal student grants

•  Are not in default on any student loans; and

•  Have not been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs during a period when you received federal student aid.

Filed Under: News

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

About Gabi Powell

You are here: Home / News / March deadline for federal loans and grants approaches

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

Retweet on Twitter The Optimist Retweeted
ashleyh1607 Ashley Henderson @ashleyh1607 ·
3 Jun

My second year at ACU was full of opportunities that grew me as an individual and a journalist.

In my first year as editor in chief of @acuoptimist, we published six print issues, filmed a 3-hour live election show, and revamped our newscast, all while producing news weekly.

Reply on Twitter 1929734328445178254 Retweet on Twitter 1929734328445178254 1 Like on Twitter 1929734328445178254 1 Twitter 1929734328445178254
Retweet on Twitter The Optimist Retweeted
optimistsports Optimist Sports @optimistsports ·
2 Jun

The Optimist reached out to ACU Athletics, who provided the following statement.

Reply on Twitter 1929676060947632336 Retweet on Twitter 1929676060947632336 1 Like on Twitter 1929676060947632336 1 Twitter 1929676060947632336

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

11 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acu #abilenechristianuniversity #privatechristianuniversity #collegestudentopinion #acuopinion ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved