Bon Secours Richmond Health System  |   BSR Outlook access  |

office of financial aid

• cost of attendance
• net price calculator
• deferred payment option
• types of financial aid
• federal work-study
• applying for financial aid
  • financial aid eligibility and guidelines
• applying for student loans
  • federal direct stafford loan
  • parent plus loans
  • current interest rates
  • alternative private loans
  • loan repayment and postponing repayment
• book advance program
• disbursement and refunds of financial aid
• consequences for withdrawals
• consortium agreements
  • flagging your JSR account
• satisfactory academic progress
• dates and deadlines
• forms
• helpful links
• frequently asked questions
• financial aid chat room

applying for financial aid

The Financial Aid application process is a lengthy, and at times, complicated procedure, but you can do this by following a 6-step process.

• Step 1 – Get a Personal Identification Number (PIN)

  Apply for a Federal PIN at http://www.pin.ed.gov (if you don’t already have one). You will need this PIN to electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are dependent, your parents will also need to get a PIN at http://www.pin.ed.gov to electronically sign the FAFSA. This will ensure the quickest, most accurate filing process. In addition, your PIN will allow you to:

  • View the status and results of a processed FAFSA application on the FAFSA website.
  • Make corrections to your FAFSA online.
  • Access your Federal Student Financial Assistance information on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/.
  • Request a duplicate copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).

  Write your PIN number down in a safe place as you will need this PIN number for many years as you pursue your education.

• Step 2 – File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  To be considered for any type of financial aid (grants or loans), all students must file the FAFSA. There are two ways to complete the application:

  • Paper Application: The FAFSA is available at your local high school, community college or local university. There is no fee to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA.
  • Online Application: The online FAFSA can be completed on the Department of Education website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. There is no fee to apply online.

  The BSMCON Office of Financial Aid recommends that applicants file the FAFSA online as it is the fastest, most efficient, and most accurate application method. Your results will be sent to you and BSMCON in about 1 to 2 weeks after completing your application if it is electronically signed with your PIN.

  Remember to include BSMCON's school code on the FAFSA; if you do not include our school code, we will not receive your application. Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing's school code is 010043.

  Students who meet priority deadlines set by the BSMCON Office of Financial will have the best chance for consideration for all the financial aid for which they may be eligible. Make sure to apply for your financial aid before these priority deadlines:

  April 1	Returning Students
  July 1	New Students enrolling in the Fall.
  November 1	New Students enrolling in the Spring.
  May 1	BSN and RN to BSN Students enrolling in Summer.

  Please note that you must apply once every school year (usually after you file your yearly income tax forms). You must also be accepted into a degree/diploma program by Admissions and be in good academic standing to receive financial aid.

• Step 3 – The Student Aid Report (SAR)

  After your FAFSA is processed, you will be sent a Student Aid Report (SAR). Electronic filers who provide an e-mail address will be sent an e-mail providing an electronic link to their SAR. Electronic filers who do not provide an e-mail address and those who complete a paper FAFSA will be sent a paper SAR in the mail.

  Once you receive your SAR, you should review it for accuracy. If you need to make corrections to your SAR, follow the directions on the SAR and return it to the federal processor. Students who receive their SAR electronically can make their corrections online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to make a copy of the SAR for your records. Once the corrections are processed, you will be sent a revised SAR.

  A request for any additional documents will be mailed to you after the College receives the electronic record of your application. Processing of your award may take three to four weeks after we have received your accurate application record and all other documentation. Please check your BSMCON e-mail account regularly to see if we are requesting any additional information.

  To get an early start on the financial aid process, visit FAFSA4caster. The FAFSA4caster website offers to provide you with an opportunity to increase your knowledge of the financial aid process; become familiar with the various types of federal student aid that are available; and investigate other sources of aid, such as grants and scholarships.

• Step 4 – Verification

  Please download the 2012-2013 FAFSA & IRS Data Retrieval Process to learn about major changes in the verification process.

• Step 5 – Additional Information

  After your FAFSA is processed, BSMCON will be sent the information electronically. For electronic filers, the data is usually received in 1 to 2 weeks. For those who completed a paper FAFSA, the data is usually received in about four to six weeks.

  Once your FAFSA data is received, you may be required to submit additional information to the BSMCON Office of Financial Aid. Additional information is often required for one or more of the following reasons:

  • Database Mismatch – Your FAFSA data is matched against various federal databases (Social Security, Selective Service, Dept. of Veteran Affairs, etc…) to make sure you meet the basic eligibility requirements for federal financial aid. If it cannot be determined that you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you may be asked to submit any of the following:
    1. Copy of your Social Security Card.
    2. Copy of your birth certificate.
    3. Proof of U.S. citizenship.
    4. Selective Service registration confirmation.
    5. Copy of your alien registration card.
    6. Proof of being a veteran of the armed forces.

  Please be aware that all errors, mismatches, and verification issues must be resolved before your financial aid can be finalized and applied to your student account.

• Step 6 – Award Notification and Additional Applications

  After your FAFSA is processed and all required information has been reviewed, you will receive notification of your financial aid awards. However, not every student will qualify for grants and scholarships nor may they be large enough to meet your educational costs.

  Student loans are available to students who need additional funds to meet educational costs. To apply for a student loan, view and accept your awards package, log in to Net Partner, a student financial aid portal. First-time users will be issued a Web ID. Student IDs will serve as the User ID. Students on initial login will select "First-Time User," enter their Web ID and proceed with the prompts to set up a secure password. Net Parter allows students to access financial ad information 24/7 and provides all of the latest updates as well as any incomplete requirements. Students will be notified when awards are available for viewing and will be asked to log in to Net Parter to accept, reduce or decline their awards. 

  Forms are also available for downloading in Net Partner. Awards from Net Partner will be transferred to SONIS and will appear as estimated awards on your bill until actual disbursements occur.

  First-time loan borrowers at BSMCON will also need to complete a Loan Entrance Counseling session and complete a Master Promissory Note, as required by the Department of Education. You may complete your Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov.