Financial Aid Checklist
While this form is a basic outline of general tasks, it is not inclusive of all tasks that you may need to complete. Each list
will vary by your specific situation. This form is provided for your personal use and is not intended to be submitted to the
Financial Aid Office. For more information regarding the following listed tasks, please see Federal Loan Application
Process on our website.
Request a PIN to file the FAFSA at www.pin.ed.gov
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

A US Department of Education PIN allows you to e-sign your FAFSA as well as gain access to other federal aid
websites and may be used to authenticate your signature during the loan process.
File your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be completed by all individuals wishing to participate in federal
aid programs. This document establishes your eligibility for federal resources. The Financial Aid Office will not be
able to process federal aid for you until this is on file and your file is complete.
These instructions and next steps are only applicable to admitted students that have paid their tuition deposit. Students
will use the MyThunderbird (MTB) intranet to obtain information and details on action items as part of the aid process.
These steps are easily visible on the My Documents area of Access Thunderbird (a section within My Thunderbird) for
your tracking purposes. It is vitally important that you have a valid email address on file.
Receive Welcome email
(Date received: ___/___/___)

This email outlines steps that you may choose to take while waiting for your file complete email.
Receive File Complete email
(Date received: ___/___/___)

Receipt of this email indicates the Financial Aid Office has received all necessary documents and completed any
additional processing needed prior to awarding federal aid. This email outlines instructions on steps for you to
take while awaiting your official offer of federal financial aid.
Review Instruction documents
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

These documents outline the application process for the different types of aid that may be offered to you as part
of your financial aid package.
Familiarize yourself with Access Thunderbird
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

From Access Thunderbird students will view their award letter, accept or reject their aid, be able to track receipt of
financial aid documents, as well as view their aid by term and various other activities associated to other
departments as matriculated students. Review the user’s guides for Access Thunderbird.
Review your Financial Aid Award Letter
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

This is available on Access Thunderbird and is the aid being offered to you. Details on the individual loan
programs are located under Loan Information in the Loan and Award Information section.
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Accept/Reject the financial aid offered
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

This is an area separate from the Financial Aid Award Eligibility Letter. In order to receive funding, you must
indicate here what awards you want to receive or do not want to receive. Please indicate an action for all offered
awards and terms. It may be possible to accept rejected awards at a later time.
Complete Online Loan Counseling
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

This is a federal requirement and must be completed prior to loan funds being released. The link is located under
Loan and Award Information.
Review Cost of Attendance information
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

You are eligible to receive aid up to the published cost of attendance for your program. Aid is inclusive of
scholarships, loans and any other private or personal funding you receive. This allows you to create a budget and
determine the amount you may need to borrow.
You may not be required to complete all of the following items.
Complete the Master Promissory Note for Federal Stafford Loans
(Date completed: ___/___/___)
Complete the Request A PLUS Loan for Federal Grad PLUS Loan
(Date completed: ___/___/___)
•
This is where you need to give approval for your credit check.
Complete the Master Promissory Note for Federal Grad PLUS Loan
(Date completed: ___/___/___)
Complete the Loan Interview Form for Federal Perkins Loan
(Date completed: ___/___/___)

First time Thunderbird Perkins loan borrowers must complete both a loan interview form and a Master Promissory
Note in order to receive a Perkins loan. These are two separate forms.
Complete Master Promissory Note for Federal Perkins Loan
(Date completed: ___/___/___)
Lender: Thunderbird

First time Thunderbird Perkins loan borrowers must complete both a loan interview form and a Master Promissory
Note in order to receive a Perkins loan. These are two separate forms.
**Please do not submit this form to the Financial Aid Office **
updated 05.01.12
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