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Federal Student Aid

All students attending SAU Tech are encouraged to apply for federal student aid. At SAU Tech, federal student aid includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work Study, Subsidized Federal Direct Loans, Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans, and Federal PLUS Loans. To be considered for these programs, a student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it to the Federal Processing Center on an annual basis. You can apply over the Internet at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/. To be eligible for Federal student aid, you must:

  1. Have a high school diploma or a GED Certificate.
  2. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  3. Comply with Selective Service registration, if required.
  4. Have a valid Social Security number.
  5. Be accepted as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
  6. Meet satisfactory academic progress standards set by the school you will attend.
  7. Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
  8. Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money on a federal student grant.
  9. Demonstrate financial need (except for Unsubsidized and PLUS Loans).

The information you report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The formula used to calculate your EFC is established by law and is used to measure your family’s financial strength based on their income and assets. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. Most federal student aid is awarded based on financial need.

The Financial Aid Administrator calculates your cost of attendance and subtracts the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward that cost. The remaining difference is your financial need. Financial need is used to determine eligibility for Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunities Grant, Federal Work Study, and Direct Subsidized Loans.

You will not receive any financial aid until your financial aid file is complete and you have been fully admitted into an eligible degree program. To be complete, the file must contain the following information:

  1. Valid Institutional Student Information Record (electronic results of FAFSA)
  2. Verification or requested documents as required
  3. All prior academic transcripts, if applicable.

Verification and required documents will be requested from the student via email using both the student’s SAU Tech email and the student’s email listed on the FAFSA. Students will be directed to SAU Tech’s website where they can access financial aid verification forms and other documents needed to complete their file. Students are also notified of the priority deadlines listed below. The Financial Aid Office will still attempt to award aid even after the listed priority deadlines, but awarded aid is not guaranteed if documents are submitted after the given dates.

Fall Priority Deadline July 1st
Spring Priority Deadline November 15th
Summer Priority Deadline April 15th

You must pay to attend SAU Tech unless your aid is fully processed. After your late application is processed, you will be awarded the amount of aid for which you are eligible. Financial aid recipients must inform the Financial Aid Office when they:

  1. Withdraw from school;
  2. Change enrollment status;
  3. Receive any additional financial aid from any source;
  4. Change their name;
  5. Change their mailing address; or
  6. Change major/degree program.

In order for students to continue to remain eligible for federal funds, they must meet satisfactory academic progress as defined in SAU Tech’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Students receive a link to this policy on SAU Tech’s website in each award letter they receive. A copy of this policy can be obtained in the Financial Aid Office.