No credit back from school??

Question

A few weeks ago i e-mailed my financial aid advisor and asked if i would get a credit back at then end of the school year and she told me yes.

then today in the mail i get a form called: Request For additional Loan Funds (Student Stipend)

It asks why I need the money, and for documentation on the reason why, I do need it for important reasons but none i have documentation for. the main is i have to get my car fixed, and i borrowed 1000 from my dad from vacation and i need to pay him back.

now my question is why do I need this form? I have other friends(different school) that got their check without getting this form.

And shouldn't i get the money anyway? its left over from my loans/grants.

Answer 1

Sounds like a misunderstanding.  You need a request for refund of credit form.  Call them again and ask or see if it's on their website to download and print or submit.  

Answer 2

I agree it's a bit strange that they're sending you a Request For Additional Loan Funds. It sounds to me like they thought you were asking for MORE financial aid loan money...instead of your regular refund money. The feds are now offering an additional $2000 in loans if you can prove you have legitimate extra living expenses...I think that's what the finaid person thought you were referring to.

As far as getting it back at the end of the year? All financial aid is applied the first 2 weeks of each term/semester. After all your tuition and fees/charges are paid for, they should cut you a check (or direct deposit if your school has that ability) for the remaining loan/grant money after the end of the second week of the term at the latest (unless you're a first time borrower, then it's 4 weeks after the start of the term).

I think the financial aid advisor got confused, so you might want to give them a call so you can explain better than in an email. And whatever you do, DONT tell them you're going to use the money to pay back your dad for money you borrowed during vacation! The money you get coming to you is supposed to be used for housing (if you are off campus and they haven't deducted it already...like if you're in a dorm), transportation, utility bills, food, etc.

You can technically use it for whatever, but if you TELL them you're using it for things other than what I listed above, you run the risk of getting yourself in trouble.

So like I said, call the financial aid office and ask them when refund checks will be available and why you have to fill out a form when none of your other friends did. I think they got confused reading your email (and trust me, some of the people I have dealt with in finaid offices make me wonder how they got the job in the first place! LOL)