Students need not worry about financial aid

If there’s one message Financial Aid Days offered last week, it’s don’t worry. Students who already secured financial support for the 2008-2009 school year will still receive there support packages for next semester, said Kay Soltis, director of Financial Aid.“That’s all done,” she said. “What students need to be thinking about is what do I need to do for next year.”

More than 90 percent of PLU student receive some sort of financial support. The university’s Office of Financial Aid has expertise in navigating financial packages that keep student’s college careers a reality.

Getting the most bang for their buck really boils down to working with financial aid counselors, working ahead and providing as much financial information as possible.

Filling out the FAFSA is a must and the sooner the better, even if it is just initial information, Soltis said.

“The more they can give us, the better we can work with the information,” Soltis said.

The 2009-2010 FAFSA can first be turned in on Jan. 1 and Soltis suggests turning it in by Jan. 31, even though it is before the deadline for some students.

“The sooner the better because we start reviewing them right away,” Soltis said.

Financial aid isn’t always gift aid, but there are always options, she added.

Some students may face difficult circumstances during the downturn in the economy, but even as the country faces hard economic times there are still options.

“If you’re having struggles and hard times, come talk to us,” said Lorie Stabb, associate director of operations in the Office of Financial Aid. “We will do whatever we can to see if we can help.”

Working with Student Services is the first step in preparing a financial package for next year, she said.

“It’s hard to help if you don’t know,” Staab said. “We can’t do a thing if we don’t know.” “We want to get out and talk to our students,” she added. “We are reaching out to them and comforting them.”

Financial Aid

PLU Financial aid administrators will be offering more information about financial aid during Fall Visit Day on Nov. 11 and at a MLK Application and FAFSA workshop on Jan. 19.

The Office of Financial Aid is located in room 130 of the Hauge Administration Building. For more information call ext. 7134 or e-mail finaid@plu.edu.

Student Services is located in room 102 of the Hauge Administration Building. For more information call ext. 7161 or e-mail ssvc@plu.edu .