Applying for Financial Aid

Complete the following steps to apply for all financial assistance at Knox based on financial need (including federal, state, and Knox grants; campus employment; and educational loans).

Complete and file the 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1, 2012.
Required for consideration for federal, state, and institutional aid.

❑ If your family's U.S. Income Tax Returns will be completed prior to February 15, complete your FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.gov. It is advisable that you use the IRS data retrieval feature to securely transfer your information into your FAFSA. Note: If you recently filed your taxes, your IRS information may not be available yet. If you filed your taxes electronically, it may take 1-2 weeks; but if you filed your taxes via the mail it may take 6-8 weeks.

❑ If your family's tax returns will not be completed until after February 15, you may complete the FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.gov with estimated 2011 income figures. Once your tax returns are complete, you should correct your FAFSA to reflect actual 2011 tax information. It is advisable that you use the IRS data retrieval feature to securely transfer your correct tax information to your FAFSA. Note: Your IRS information may not be available for 1-2 weeks if you filed your taxes electronically or for 6-8 weeks if you filed your taxes by mail.

❑ List Knox College in Step Six of your FAFSA, using Knox's Federal School Code of 001704.

❑ Be sure to provide student and parent PIN numbers which serve as your electronic signatures for the FAFSA. You can apply for Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) for the student and one parent at www.pin.ed.gov.

Complete and return the Knox Financial Aid Application (PDF).
Required for consideration for grants, loans, and campus employment from Knox, and to verify the information provided on the FAFSA.

Send to: Office of Financial Aid, Knox College, 2 East South Street, Galesburg, IL 61401

If requested, send 2011 U. S. Income Tax Information and W-2 Wage and Tax Statements. Our office will contact you if these and/or other documents are required prior to preparing or finalizing your financial aid award.

Helpful Tips and What to Expect

• Keep a photocopies for your records.
• Shortly after you file your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Student Aid Programs. Your SAR will arrive by e-mail if you provide an e-mail address, or by regular mail if you do not. Review the SAR carefully and make any corrections needed, including correcting estimated income figures once actual figures are available. If you make corrections, you and your parent must electronically sign again using your PINs.
• Knox will receive an analysis of your financial aid application shortly after you have filed the FAFSA. The Office of Financial Aid begins sending official award notifications in mid-March to admitted students who have submitted all requested documents.
• Illinois residents: State of Illinois MAP (Monetary Award Program) grants are awarded until funds are depleted. In 2011, funds were depleted by March 25. Be sure to file your FAFSA as soon as possible. If you are eligible for the grant but file your FAFSA too late to receive it, Knox will not make up the shortfall.

Special Circumstances

If your family has special circumstances such as anticipated reduction in 2012 income, high medical or dental expenses, private elementary or high school tuition for siblings, or educational debt payments, you may complete a Special Circumstances form (PDF) after your 2012-2013 FAFSA has been completed.