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Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Award Process

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I filed the FAFSA… what’s next?

Once you have applied for financial aid (completed the FAFSA), we will send an email to the email address you provided on the application.  This confirms that we received your FAFSA.

Next, we will send a follow-up email to your Eastern email account if we need to request additional information.  This email will be sent weekly until all the missing information is received.  In the email, we will provide instructions on how to access the MYEastern portal online to view what documents are missing.  (MYEastern portal = my.eastern.edu)

Missing Information?  Verification?

The Federal Government may require that we collect additional paperwork from you.  We may need to request a copy of your social security card, birth certificate, proof of Selective Service registration, citizenship paperwork, proof of independence, etc. 

Your FAFSA may be selected for the Federal Verification process. This means that Eastern must “verify” the income you reported on your FAFSA.  We will request paperwork such as the Federal Verification Worksheet, Federal Tax Transcript, W2 forms, etc.  All need-based financial aid will remain on HOLD until this process is completed.  If you are selected, please submit all requested documents as soon as possible so that we can finalize your aid.  Please click here to view the instructions on how to obtain an IRS Tax Transcript or to to complete the IRS Data Retrieval.  

The deadline to submit this paperwork is 60 days after the last day of enrollment.  All corrections must reach the central processor by July 31st of the award year or an award can no longer be made.

The Financial Aid Award Letter

At last!  We have the results of your FAFSA.  We received all missing paperwork (if any).  Now you will receive your Financial Aid Initial Award Letter.  This letter will detail all of your financial aid eligibility (including any grants, scholarships, loans and/or work study that you may qualify for).  This is often referred to as “the financial aid package”.  You can also view your financial aid awards online through the MYEastern portal.


Why did my financial aid change?

  • You have changed your enrollment or housing status.
    Students are required to report any change of enrollment or housing status to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. Please send an email to finaid@eastern.edu.  This change could impact financial aid eligibility.
  • You received outside sources of aid.
    Federal Regulations require students who are receiving any outside sources of financial assistance (scholarships, grants, loans) to notify the Financial Aid Office.  All outside awards, whether based on academic merit or financial need, will be counted as a source of aid and will be added to the total financial aid package. This may result in a reduction of other aid, such as University aid, loans or work study.
  • You have declined aid.
    You have the option of declining any of the financial aid awarded to you.  Please send that request via email to finaid@eastern.edu.

If your financial aid changes, you will receive a Revised Award Letter.  There will be a separate Revision Sheet explaining the change and why it was made.

Can I get financial aid next year?

Students must apply for financial aid each year. Financial aid eligibility is dependent upon the availability of institutional funds and demonstration of need (as defined by filing the FAFSA).  If you do not plan on filing the FAFSA next year, please let us know!  Send an email to finaid@eastern.edu.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Eastern aid can be awarded for a maximum of 8 full-time semesters.  (For traditional undergraduate students only - Fall/Spring)
  • Students must meet the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress each year.
  • Receipt of funds during one academic year is NOT a guarantee of the same award in future years!

My situation has changed...Help!!

If you find that your situation has changed since you filed the FAFSA, then please notify the Financial Aid Office.  Your financial aid is based on the results of the FAFSA, so it is important that we stay informed to ensure that you are receiving the most accurate and realistic financial aid package possible.  We can take into consideration situations such as divorce/separation, death/disability of a family member, unreimbursed medical expenses, and involuntary unemployment.  Please email the Financial Aid Office at finaid@eastern.edu. Include your name, Eastern student ID#, and a brief explanation of your circumstances.

Please note- this process may require us to collect additional paperwork from you.  If so, then we will contact you immediately with this request. 

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