This Guide contains an overview of the aid process at Frostburg State University and step-by-step instructions for students who have already received an award notification from Frostburg State University.

If you have already received an award notification from our office, please use the following information to learn how to accept or decline the awards offered to you.

If you have not yet received an award notification from our office, please see the Applying for Aid Guide for more information on how to begin the financial aid process.

Step 1:	Verify & Update Your Enrollment Status (if necessary)
Step 2:	Accessing & Responding to Your Electronic Award Letter
Important Note: If you are no longer planning to attend FSU, please notify the Financial Aid Office by emailing us at fsufinaid@frostburg.edu.

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Step 1

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Verify & Update Your Enrollment Status, if necessary

Your initial financial aid offer was based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credits) for undergraduate students and part-time (6 credits) for graduate students. If your enrollment differs, please complete the Enrollment Status Change Form (PDF) and return it to the Financial Aid Office.

What then if Enrollment Status changes?

Financial Aid Office contact information

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Step 2

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Accessing & Responding To Your Electronic Award Letter

After you receive your financial aid award package or your award-notification email, you will have information you need to access your electronic award letter and to accept your award.

No type of financial aid offer is final (including loans) until the Financial Aid Office has received all information requested from the student. (Please see Conditions of Awards for more information).

Log in to PAWS

To obtain your electronic award letter you will need to access your PAWS account. Please print this page, as you will need the following instructions to access and respond to your electronic award letter.

Incoming/admitted students were mailed their PAWS username and password from the Financial Aid Office (in the financial aid award package). They can view their award letter by logging into PAWS .

Returning/Current students may view their award letter by logging into PAWS with their existing username and password.

Follow the instructions below to access your electronic award letter and to accept your financial aid awards.

If you have problems accessing your PAWS account, please contact the FSU Help Desk by calling (301) 687-7777.

Work in PAWS

A successful PAWS log on will open the SA Self Service menu. Use the following "breadcrumbs" to access and respond to your financial aid award letter.

     Self Service>Student Center>Finances>Accept/Decline Awards

     Click on 2011

Responding to Grants and Gift Aid (if offered)
All grants and other forms of gift aid (items that you do not have to repay, such as scholarships, tuition waivers, and VA benefits) are already accepted for you.

Please note that the amount of such awards depends upon your enrollment status. Full-time enrollment status is assumed for all undergraduate students unless our office is notified of a change in enrollment. (Enrollment Status Change Form)

Responding to Federal Work-Study (if offered)
You may only accept or decline Federal Work-Study. You may not change the amount. If you are accepting this offer, you must also report to the Financial Aid Office during the first week of the semester to pick up a Federal Work-Study contract and instructions on how to find a job on campus.

You will be sent further instructions at a later date. Please watch both your regular mail and check your FSU email account frequently for more information.

Responding to Federal Perkins Loans (if offered)
You have the option to accept, decline, or reduce a Perkins Loan. The loans offered to you are the maximum you can borrow. If you choose to reduce your loan, you must indicate the reduced amount in the accept box.

If you accept any portion of your Federal Perkins Loan, you must also complete a Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), Perkins Loan Entrance Interview, and Perkins Loan Authorization form.

The Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Perkins Loan Authorization form are normally mailed to students several weeks prior to the start of the upcoming semester, in July or August. If you are applying for or accepting a Perkins Loan shortly before or after the start of a semester, you will need to stop by the Financial Aid Office and ask for these items in person. If you are not in the area, please contact our office via telephone or email and request these items to be mailed to you.

The Perkins Loan Entrance Interview must be done online. This online interview must be completed in addition to the Perkins Loan Authorization form and Master Promissory Note (MPN). Failure to complete all three items will result in the cancellation of your Perkins Loan. You may complete the online Perkins Entrance Interview by going to the Perkins Loan page on the Financial Aid Office's website.

Responding to Federal Stafford Loans
You have the option to accept, decline, or reduce a Federal Stafford Loan. The loans offered to you are the maximum you can borrow. If you choose to reduce your loan, you must indicate the reduced amount in the accept box. You may not reduce your loan below $200.

If you are offered both a Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, you must reduce the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan first.

If you accept any portion of a Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford loan, you must also complete a Stafford Loan Entrance Interview and Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Instructions on how to complete these items will be posted on the Stafford Loans section of this web site. After completing the Stafford Loan Entrance Interview you must return to this website and select the second link in order to complete the Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note. These are two separate processes and both must be completed. Failure to complete these required items will cause errors and delays. Please watch both your regular mail and check your FSU email account frequently for any changes or updates.

Click on the Submit button once you have made your selections.