Financial aid office trying to make things 'simple' for aid recipients

Phyllis Bolt Bannister said about 24,000 students received more than $200 million in financial aid for the 1996-1997 school year.

The state of Arizona ranks as the third least expensive for in-state tuition out of 50 for the 1997-98 academic year, Bolt Bannister said. For out-of-state tuition, Arizona ranks as the 28th cheapest, she said.

"Higher education in Arizona is a tremendous bargain," Bolt Bannister said.

But for those students and parents who cannot afford the full cost of tuition, the Student Financial Aid office on the second floor of the Administration building is there to offer solutions.

Students may receive support in the forms of scholarships and tuitionwaivers based on academic merit, grants, loans, and employment with work-study programs.

For federally based support, students must turn in a Federal Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, form between Jan. 1 and March 1 for the following year. The forms are available in the financial aid office and on the Internet at UA Info's student link at www.arizona.edu.

"The most important thing to know is when the forms are due," said Ligia Vigo, a graduate history student.

Federal aid is need based, but any student or parent can apply.

Bolt Bannister said the application process is "really quite simple," but can be a tough task without a few essential components.

To begin filling out a FAFSA form, students and/or parents must have a driver's license, social security card, W-2 forms, a current U.S. income tax return and bank statements.

Bolt Bannister said the most common mistakes people make when applying for aid are putting the present year for the date of birth entry, incorrect social security numbers and not knowing who is the proper payee after a student's parents divorce.

Another tip for parents and students is timely payment of loans, she said.

Students who receive financial aid have to begin paying back their loans six months after completing school, but parents who receive plus loans must pay 60 days after taking the loan.

"We try to make it as simple as possible. On average people can fill out these forms in less than a hour," Bolt Bannister said.

If a parent or student is having trouble with the form, the financial aid office offers 27 on-campus training sessions throughout the year.

Wendi Maroney, a pre-physiology freshman, said the financial aid office has been helpful to her.

"For the most part with the people I've dealt with, they have answers for you and if they don't, they'll find somebody who does," she said.

Parents or students interested in more information on financial aid can call the financial aid office at 621-1858, or get information on the Internet at the University of Arizona's student information page.