Usually it takes four to six weeks for the FAFSA to be processed by the federal processor. Therefore, we recommend that you file your application no later than April 1. You may file on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov to reduce the processing time to 3-4 weeks.

You must be accepted and enrolled in an approved program of study. For you to continue to receive financial aid during your attendance at the institution, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

You will receive a federal Student Aid Report (SAR). You can expect the SAR mailed to your home in two to six weeks after you mail or transmit your SAR to the federal processor. You must review the report for accuracy. We recommend that if corrections are necessary, that you bring the SAR to the Financial Aid Office immediately for assistance in making corrections to the SAR. If you are selected for verification, you will also be required to provide copies of tax returns for individuals whose income was included on the application. Eastern School of Acupuncture's Financial Aid Office will notify the selected students of additional documents required.

Eastern School of Acupuncture will receive your Institutional Information Record (ISIR). The federal processor will transmit an electronic eligibility file called an ISIR to the institution if you correctly listed Eastern School of Acupuncture's code number 038113 when you filed your FAFSA. Eastern School will review the ISIR for accuracy and request missing documents if you are selected for verification or if corrections are needed. You will receive a follow-up letter for missing documents and missing forms that are required to make your file complete.

If you are eligible for aid, a Financial Aid Award Letter will be sent to you from Eastern School's Financial Aid Office when all steps in the application process are completed. If you are ineligible for all or part of the aid you applied for, a Denial Letter will be sent to you.

If you are awarded aid, the funds are disbursed directly to Eastern School and applied to your tuition bill. Funds remaining after all charges are satisfied will be paid directly to you. These funds will be sent to you approximately 14 days after the funds have been applied to your tuition bill.

Your enrollment is verified before aid is disbursed. If you have withdrawn from the program, your eligibility will be affected and disbursement will not occur until your eligibility is recalculated.

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total cost of the student's education at Eastern School of Acupuncture for each academic year including tuition, fees, books/supplies, personal and transportation costs, and room/board. Expected Family Contribution is an estimate by the state and federal governments of the ability of the student and the student's family to contribute toward educational costs. It is determined by evaluating the information you provide on the financial aid form, using a standardized, federally mandated formula of need analysis.

You are considered an independent student if:

1. You were born before January 1, 1984

2. You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

3. You are married

4. You are a ward of the court or if both your parents are deceased

5. You have children who receive more than half their support from you

6. You have dependents other than your children or spouse who live with you and receive more than half of their support form you

Students who do not fall into the above categories but who feel they have sufficient evidence to prove independence should contact the Financial Aid Office at (973) 746-8717. Each application will be reviews on a case by case basis to determine an applicant's eligibility status.

Visit any or all of the websites listed below:

Financial Aid Websites:

1. Free Application of Federal Student Aid
   www.fafsa.ed.gov

2. Funding You Education : Financial Aid from the US Department of Education
   http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

3. US Department of Education PIN Web Site
   http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

4. FinAid! The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
   http://www.finaid.org/

5. Student Aid on the Web
   http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

Or call the Financial Aid Office at Eastern School of Acupuncture at (973) 746-8717.