How to Apply for Financial Aid

Application to our university does not necessitate you to accept our financial aid offer. However, it gives the Office of Financial Aid staff the information we need to assist you in making your college choice. Let us help you discover how Savannah State University could fit into your future.

Provide Additional Information if Requested

Some students will be required to complete the process of verification. Verification is the process in which our must verify that the information on the FAFSA is accurate. If you are selected for verification, you must complete the verification process before any awards will be finalized. If selected, you will have outstanding items in the Verification portal that will need to be submitted before your financial aid can be processed. The Office of Financial Aid will review documentation uploaded in the portal and then process your financial aid award appropriately. The Office will submit all changes required as a result of verification.

When you submit any documents to the Office, please make sure that your name and student ID number is include on all documents.

Review your Award Offer

Incoming students will have their financial aid award letters emailed to them. Returning students can expect their award letters, starting after Spring grades are posted.

• Log into PAWS
• Under the Financial Aid tab, select "Financial Aid"
• Select "Award"
• Select "Award for Aid Year"
• Select the appropriate aid year and click submit
• Read & Agree to the Terms and Condition
• Review award offer

As our office becomes aware of additional forms of aid (such as scholarships you may qualify for), the Office of Financial Aid will revise your award as necessary. Internal Savannah State scholarships, may be emailed to students for acceptance from Scholarship Universe. Students must accept the scholarship in Scholarship Universe and complete the required "thank you" note for the scholarship to be placed into their financial aid award in PAWS. 

You must accept the financial aid Terms and Conditions in order for funds to authorize towards your student account bill.

Accepting or Declining Award Offer

Review your award to accept and/or decline the offer. Scholarships and grants are automatically accepted. 

• Log into PAWS
• Under the Financial Aid tab, select "Financial Aid"
• Select "Award"
• Select "Award for Aid Year"
• Select the appropriate aid year and click submit
• Read & Agree to the Terms and Condition
• Select "Accept Award Offer" tab
• Choose "Accept" or "Decline" in the drop menu beside each item
• Once final decision has been made click "Submit Decision"

First Time Borrows 

Upon accepting a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, you will need to complete Entrance Loan Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) in your FASFA portal. This step must be completed for aid to authorize on a student account or disburse as a payment. 

Reapplying for Aid

All students must reapply for financial aid each academic year. the FAFSA typically opens for the upcoming academic year October 1. The priority funding deadline to renew your financial aid is February 1 for the upcoming fall semester. All financial aid awards are reviewed annually based on:

• the timely completion of the financial aid application process
• continued demonstration of financial need
• maintenance of Satisfactory Academic Progress
• availability of resources

If you completed the FAFSA when applying for financial aid for the previous academic year, you should receive an email from the U.S. Department of Education with instructions about how to once again submit the application electronically.

Failure to reapply for financial aid each year by February 1 may result in delayed financial aid processing.