Steps to Apply

Create an FSA ID

• Student: An FSA ID is your account username and password. You need it to access and sign the FAFSA form online. If you do not have an FSA ID, you can create one online to complete federal student aid tasks. The process takes approximately 10 minutes.
• Contributors (Parent or Spouse, if required): Anyone required to provide information on the FAFSA form must create their own FSA ID. Contributors cannot use the student's FSA ID.

Start the FAFSA Form

You should complete the FAFSA form as early as possible each year to ensure timely processing of your federal aid application.

• If you are the student: Select "I am a student and want to access the FAFSA form" and sign in using your FSA ID.
• If you are a contributor: The student will invite you to participate in the FAFSA form. Once invited, log in using your own FSA ID to complete your required section.

Fill Out the Student Information Section

• The Student Information section includes your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and other personal information. If you have previously completed a FAFSA form, some information may automatically populate. Make sure your personal information matches your official records exactly.

List The American University in Cairo

• Add The American University in Cairo (AUC) to receive your FAFSA information.
• Federal School Code: G05034

Determine Dependency Status

You will answer a series of questions to determine whether you are considered a dependent or independent student for federal financial aid purposes. Your dependency status determines whether parent information is required on the FAFSA form.

Provide Contributor Information

• If you are a dependent student, your parent(s) will be required to provide information and consent to participate in the FAFSA process. The FAFSA will identify which parent(s) must contribute information based on your family circumstances.

Provide Financial Information

• The FAFSA uses a direct exchange of federal tax information with the IRS. Students and all required contributors must provide consent and approval for the transfer of tax information as part of the FAFSA process. Additional financial information may be requested when necessary.

Sign and Submit the FAFSA Form

• The FAFSA form is not complete until all required participants have signed their respective sections. Students and contributors sign electronically using their own FSA IDs. Once all signatures have been provided, submit the FAFSA form for processing.

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document through which you promise to repay your federal student loan(s), including any accrued interest and fees, to the U.S. Department of Education. The MPN explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s) and your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. 

Because AUC is a foreign institution students must complete a new MPN for each award year in which they borrow federal loans.

To complete the MPN:

• Complete the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note online.
• Log in using your FSA ID (username and password).
• Complete a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan MPN if you are borrowing Direct Loans.
• Complete a Direct PLUS Loan MPN if you are borrowing a Parent PLUS Loan or Graduate PLUS Loan.
• Parent PLUS Loan borrowers must sign the PLUS Loan MPN using their own FSA ID.

• Retain a copy of your completed MPN(s) for your records.

   

Federal regulations require first-time federal student loan borrowers to complete Entrance Counseling before receiving a Direct Loan. Entrance Counseling helps students understand their rights and responsibilities as borrowers and provides important information about managing student loan debt.

If you are an undergraduate student, Entrance Counseling satisfies the counseling requirement for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

If you are a graduate or professional student, Entrance Counseling satisfies the counseling requirement for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans.

Entrance Counseling must be completed online using your FSA ID (username and password). AUC cannot originate your federal student loan until Entrance Counseling has been completed and accepted by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students whose federal Direct Loans do not cover their full Cost of Attendance (COA) may wish to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan or Graduate PLUS Loan. PLUS Loans require a credit check conducted by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Request a Direct PLUS Loan
  • Visit the Federal Student Aid website and select "Apply for a Direct PLUS Loan.
  • Undergraduate students must have a parent apply for a Parent PLUS Loan on their behalf.
  • Graduate and professional students should apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan in their own name.
    • Log in using your FSA ID (username and password).
    • In most cases, you will receive a credit decision immediately.
• If Your Credit Is Denied
  If you are not approved based on your credit history, you may:
  • Obtain an endorser.
  • Request reconsideration of the credit decision.

The U.S. Department of Education will provide instructions regarding these options. If an endorser is used, the borrower will receive an Endorser Code that must be provided to the endorser.

If you are approved through reconsideration or by obtaining an endorser, you must also complete PLUS Credit Counseling before the loan can be originated. 

Endorsers must have their own FSA ID and complete the endorsement process separately.

AUC uses the Portico-CI CORE Financial Aid System to manage federal student aid applications and communications. All required forms, documents, and financial aid information are available through the Student Portal.

Newly admitted students who are enrolled in an eligible degree program and have not previously received federal student loans through AUC must complete the initial registration process in the CORE system. This is a one-time registration requirement.

After completing the self-registration process, students should submit the required documentation to the Financial Aid Office, including:

• A copy of their AUC acceptance letter.
• Their planned course registration for the academic year.

The Financial Aid Office will review the information and confirm the student's enrollment status in CORE. Students will then receive an automated email with instructions for accessing the Student Portal and creating their account password.

Students who have previously registered in the CORE system and received federal student aid through AUC do not need to complete self-registration again. These students should access their existing Student Portal account to complete any required forms and review their financial aid information.

In order to provide you with Funding Estimate (the FA award letter), you are required to submit the following documents directly through your Student Portal or via email.

• Enrollment agreement: AUC acceptance letter
• Proof of graduation:
  • Graduate Students: Copy of your BA/BS diploma
  • Undergraduate Students: Copy of your HS diploma
  • Transfer Students: Copy of your transcript from prior school(s)
• Identification Students: Copy of your US passport/green card
• Credit Balance Authorization Form-: eform located on your Student Portal

The financial aid office will determine your financial aid package (direct loans) for the academic year (half will be disbursed at the beginning of the fall semester and the remaining half will be disbursed at the beginning of the spring semester). Your loan amounts depend on several factors, including your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your dependency status, and your enrollment status at AUC. 

Note that AUC will not be able to process your federal loans unless we have your complete information on the student portal and matched with your FAFSA. You also must be accepted in a degree program and registered at AUC before the funds are disbursed to you. Then your file will go through a verification process.  If additional information is needed in order to process your file, you will receive a tracking letter in your email requesting the specific documentation.

Once your file has been thoroughly reviewed, you will receive the Funding Estimate (an award letter) in your student portal. That award letter will have all the information you may need in it; the amount of aid, the type or types of aid and the anticipated disbursement dates. 

Students who wish to receive federal student loans must review and electronically sign their Funding Estimate (Financial Aid Award Letter).

Once your award has been prepared, you will receive an email notification directing you to the Student Portal, where you can review and electronically sign your award letter. Students should complete this step within ten calendar days of receiving notification. Your award letter will identify the types and amounts of federal aid for which you are eligible.

You have the right to:

• Accept all of the aid offered.
• Accept only a portion of the aid offered.
• Decline any or all of the aid offered.

If you wish to reduce or decline any portion of your federal student loans, notify the Financial Aid Office before accepting your award. Federal loans cannot be originated until the award has been reviewed and accepted through the Student Portal.

Federal loan funds are generally disbursed at the beginning of each semester, provided the student has completed all required loan application steps, is enrolled in an eligible degree program, and has registered for the required number of credits. Upon receipt of federal loan funds, AUC will apply the funds to the student's account to pay eligible institutional charges, including tuition and fees. Any resulting credit balance will be refunded to the student in accordance with federal regulations. Credit balance refunds are generally issued within 14 days after the credit balance is created.

Delivery Method: Students may receive credit balance refunds through one of the following methods:

• Electronic transfer (wire transfer) to a designated domestic or international bank account.
• Check mailed to the student's designated mailing address.

Students must complete all required refund preference forms and provide accurate banking or mailing information to ensure timely delivery of funds. After tuition, fees, and other authorized charges have been paid, any remaining loan funds will be refunded directly to the student using the selected refund method.

Private Education Loan Options at AUC

The Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan is a private credit-based loan which is also available to AUC undergraduate and graduate students in need of supplemental funds. Applications are submitted directly to Sallie Mae. The University will certify the loan as required by the lender.