WHAT TO DO FIRST

1. Submit the 2008–2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor using your 2007 tax information. This will determine your eligibility for federal student loans. Students are encouraged to file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, and TCU should receive the results in about 2 weeks. TCU’s school code is 003636.

   Renewal FAFSA - Returning students should file a Renewal FAFSA using their PIN number.

   New FAFSA Application - When you file the FAFSA, you will be required to provide a signature either with a PIN number (electronic signature) or by signing and mailing a paper signature page. If you need a PIN, or if you have forgotten your PIN, you can request it on the FAFSA website.

2. Create an Account on the TCU Student Portal
   

After you have been admitted to TCU - Log onto https://my.tcu.edu and click on “Need a TCU User Name?” You will need your TCU ID for login. If you do not know your TCU ID, please contact your department. Follow the instructions to select a username and password. Your birth date will serve as your temporary password. The TCU Portal is used by students to access financial aid & billing information, as well as to register for classes, update addresses, view grades and see other information.

Register for Password Help - Once you create your new password, go to https://mypw.tcu.edu to register for password self-help. This will enable you to reset your password if you forget or misplace it.

TCU Supplemental form - When a processed FAFSA has been received in the TCU Financial Aid Office, we will notify you by email to submit the online TCU Supplemental Information form. You will complete this form at https://my.tcu.edu. Click on Financial Aid – Financial Aid Home – Requested Information. Any additional forms required by TCU Financial Aid will be requested here.

THINGS TO KNOW

1. TCU Email – Once you are enrolled, all communications from most campus departments will be emailed only to the students’ TCU email address (they may not be mailed). For information on how to access and use your TCU email, go to: http://www.tr.tcu.edu/help.htm. Note: TCU email will be activated within 12-72 hours of enrollment for classes for new students.
2. Log on to https://my.tcu.edu

Once an account is created, you can go to https://my.tcu.edu. Click on Financial Aid – Requested Information to check for forms requested, see the status of your forms and items we need from you (such as the FAFSA) and see other information from Financial Aid. Remember to check your account frequently to see if additional forms have been requested. Additional Forms may be requested by the TCU Financial Aid Office - some can be downloaded from our online Forms Library.

3. Special Circumstances Form for Graduate Students - If you have unusual circumstances not shown on this form (such as loss of employment), you may download and submit the 2008-2009 Special Circumstances Form to the Financial Aid Office. If your processed FAFSA indicate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than 33,900, you will probably not need to submit the Special Circumstances form unless you have additional outside financial aid (not loans).

FINANCIAL AID NOTIFICATION

1. After TCU has received the processed information and all requested forms, the Financial Aid Office will notify you via your TCU email (current students) or letter (new students) to access your financial aid package at https://my.tcu.edu, click on Financial Aid – Accept/Decline Financial Aid.
2. To see a breakdown by terms of your financial aid award, go to View My Financial Aid and click on View Awards by Terms/Print. Click on Award Messages to review any messages associated with your financial award or revised award.
3. Be sure to complete “Award Conditions” under Requested Information. Failure to complete this requirement may delay your financial aid and loan disbursements. Please note that completing Award Conditions does not accept your awards. You must accept or decline at Accept/Decline Financial Aid.

Click here for information on Loans and Loan Processes

CREDIT BALANCES

If your financial aid creates a credit balance on your student account, you can request a check refund from Financial Services (Sadler 104 or call 817-257-7836). Checks are issued only on Fridays and the check refund request needs to be received in their office by Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. You can request check refund in person between 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Financial Services will not accept check refund requests by e-mail or phone. You may also request your check refund by FAX (817 257-7733). Provide your name, TCU ID# and signature. Indicate whether you will pick up your refund check in the Financial Services office on Friday or provide a mailing address. Please make sure that all charges (bookstore charges, health insurance, etc.) have debited your Student Account before requesting the full credit refund.

Debbie Mar
Manager Graduate Aid Programs
Financial Aid
Sadler Hall Room 208
817/257-7872
d.mar@tcu.edu