Apply for Aid

Follow the steps outlined below to create your FSA ID and apply for financial aid.

Step 1: Create your FSA ID

This federal username and password allows you to electronically sign your financial aid application and access other Department of Education websites.

• If you are required to complete the FAFSA with your parents or contributors information, they must create an FSA ID as well.
• Important – only the owner of the FSA ID should create and use the account. Never share your FSA ID.

1. Access the FSA ID webpage at Federal Student Aid. ***
2. Click on the “Get Started” button.
3. Enter your social security number, date of birth and name exactly as it appears on your social security card. 
4. We advise using your regularly accessed email address not your school associated email. (Parents or contributors must use a different email address for their FSA ID). 
5. Be sure to make a note of your username and password. Click “Show Text” to confirm your password is correct.
6. Please be sure to verify your mobile phone number for account recovery purposes.  Parents must use a separate mobile phone number.
7. Make a note of the challenge questions you select.
8. You should receive an email and text immediately with a verification code.  Be sure to verify both, you will then receive a backup code on your screen.  Be sure to make note of it.
9. You will receive another email when your FSA ID is approved for use. 

***Additional help can be found at FSA ID - Getting Started; step by step videos are also available.

Step 2: Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA

Aims offers FAFSA/CASFA help sessions each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m in the Student Commons, Room 240 on the Greeley campus.  

When your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is processed, it may be selected for a process called verification by the U.S. Department of Education or Aims. If your application is selected for verification, additional documentation will be requested from you, your parents or both. If selected, the verification process must be completed prior to your financial aid being awarded.

Verification is a process that can take from four to six weeks to complete. The process will begin at the time that ALL requested documentation is received and ALL requested actions are taken.
 

If you receive an email from Workday there will be a link in the email requesting that you complete the required form. Please log into Workday to upload your required documents as this is the only way to authenticate your documents and resolve the requirement. 

Uploading your documents –

1.  Select the Action Item

2.  On the next screen you will see “Complete Action Item”

3.  Select your scanned document from your files or you may drag and drop your document from your computer to the box on this page

4.  Select the Submit button at the bottom of the page

Additional Resources

Instructions for Online Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note
How Financial Aid works 
(can be viewed in English and Spanish)
Federal Student Aid Eligibility Requirements
 

Once your financial aid has been processed, an offer notification will be sent to your Aims email with a link to Workday where you may view then accept or decline your awards.  Be sure to read your award offer thoroughly!  

1. FAFSA Submitted Online by Student

2. FAFSA Received by Aims in 5 to 7 business days

• Check your myAims account and email for messages to complete any Action Items from the Office of Financial Aid.
• Submit requested information (if any) to your Workday portal to satisfy your Action Items

3. Application Under Review

• Continue to check your myAims Workday portal and email for messages and information from the Office of Financial Aid.

4. Aid Awarded

• An email will be sent to your Aims email instructing you to log onto Workday to see your award offer.

5.  Accepting awards

• Log into myAims student portal
• Access Workday from your myAims page
• Select the Finances App on your Workday landing page
• Select "Accept/Decline Awards" in the box on the lower right of the screen
• Select the institution (Aims is your only option) and the award year by selecting the three bars on the right of each box
• Select "OK"
• Select the three bars on the right of the "Decision" box for each semester (fall and spring) and make the choice to either Accept or Decline your award
• Select "OK" at the bottom of the screen

If borrowing a federal student loan:

• Complete an Additional Loan Request Form available via email (financial.aid@aims.edu) or on campus
• Complete and submit Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (required only for first-time borrowers or borrowers whose MPN has expired).

6. Aid Disbursed (Paid)

• Check your myAims account and email for messages and information from the Cashier's Office and the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Financial aid is disbursed (paid) to your Aims tuition account and excess funds are made available (refunded) to you within two to seven business days of the date of disbursement. Refunds are not available prior to the start of the semester.

7.  Special or Unusual Circumstances -

If your household has encountered any of the following circumstances causing a change to the information included on your FAFSA, please contact our office to inquire about a Professional Judgement.

• Changes to family income, assets, etc.
• Recent unemployment
• Dislocated worker
• Housing change due to homelessness
• Human trafficking
• Refugee or asylee status
• Parental abandonment, incarceration, etc.
• Unable to contact parents
• Contact with parents poses risk

Check your myAims Workday portal and your email for instructions to view your awards and award letter

• Log into myAims student portal
• Access Workday from your myAims page
• Select the Finances App on your Workday landing page
• Select "Accept/Decline Awards" in the box on the lower right of the screen
• Select the institution (Aims is your only option) and the award year by selecting the three bars on the right of each box
• Select "OK"
• Select the three bars on the right of the "Decision" box for each semester (fall and spring) and make the choice to either Accept or Decline your award
• Select "OK" at the bottom of the screen

After you submit your accept/decline decision, be sure to check to see if you have any Workday Action Items that will keep your financial aid from being paid to your Aims Student Account.

Potential Unsatisfied Requirements

• Your financial aid satisfactory academic progress 
• Holds on your account