Survival Tips
An education is a privilege and your responsibility. Therefore, you are expected to contribute toward your education to the best of your abilities and with the help of your family. Financial aid is only a supplement to help meet some of the costs associated with your education.
- Financial aid representatives are here to help - make use of them!
- Read and be aware of financial aid programs and processes.
- Understand your rights, responsibilities, and the implications of all forms you sign.
- Keep copies of all documents submitted to the Financial Aid Office and note the dates submitted.
- Take responsibility for your part in the financial aid process, and ensure yourself of the most aid possible by being prompt, organized, and alert.
- Read the university catalog and course schedule thoroughly. Know and understand policies regarding registration, fee payments, refunds, course changes, and financial aid disbursements.
Your Rights
You have the right to know. . .
- what financial aid programs are available at NMSU.
- the deadlines for submitting applications for each of the programs.
- how financial aid is distributed, how decisions on distributions are made, and the bases for these decisions.
- how your financial need was determined (costs for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, personal, and miscellaneous expenses are considered in your budget).
- what resources (your current assets, parental contribution, other financial aid, etc.) are considered in the calculation of your need.
- how much of your financial aid, as determined by NMSU, has been met.
- the details of the various programs in your student aid package.
- NMSU's refund policy.
- what portion of the financial aid you receive must be repaid and what portion is grant aid. If the aid is a loan, you have the right to know the interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid,the payback procedures, the length of time you have to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.
- how NMSU determines if you are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if you are not
Your Responsibilities
In accepting your responsibilities,you must. . .
- complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time to the proper place.
- provide correct information. In most instances, misreporting information on financial aid applications could result in indictment under the U.S. Criminal Code.
- return all additional documentation, verification, corrections,and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which you submitted your application.
- be responsible for reading and understanding all forms you sign. Keep copies.
- live up to all agreements you sign.
- perform the work agreed upon when accepting work study awards.
- be aware of and comply with deadlines.
- be aware of NMSU's refund procedures.
- report all changes in name, address, telephone number, and enrollment status to the Financial Aid Office.