Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions

Here, you will find answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Financial Aid at Ferris State University.

When do I apply for Financial Aid?
A student should file the FAFSA form on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1 of each year when a student is considering attending college for the following academic year; or prior to the start of a semester with a suggested lead time of at least six weeks before semester classes begin. Please use the federal school code of 002260. Priority is given to those forms that are received by March 1st.

How do I receive a Federal PIN Number
and what should I do with it?
To request a federal PIN number, go to the web site www.pin.ed.gov and request one. Please keep this PIN number handy for numerous functions.
You can electronically sign your FAFSA form.
You can electronically sign your Master Promissory Note for federal student loans.
You can complete your loan entrance counseling.
You can look up your account information, make loan payments, or apply for deferments and forbearances at the federal loan servicing web site.

How do I receive my financial aid award package?
When Ferris has received your FAFSA form and all requested documents, i.e. federal tax returns, verification worksheets, and you have been accepted into a degree program (not a certificate program), you will be sent a message in your Personal Email through MyFSU notifying you that an award notice is available for your review. You will also receive a message if you have any changes to your existing financial aid. Paper award notices are no longer available, except by special request. This award notice will give you information on how to view and accept your financial aid package.

How many credits do I need to
be taking to be eligible for financial aid?
Undergraduate: For all financial aid programs, except Pell Grant, the MI-Loan program, and the Citiassist Loan program, students need to be enrolled in classes at GRCC or Ferris or both for a minimum of six credits. Graduate students must be taking at least five graduate credits each semester.

What is a Consortium Program?
A consortium program allows Ferris State University to award financial aid to students that are attending both Ferris and Grand Rapids Community College within the same semester and are pursuing an Ferris undergraduate degree program. When you are admitted to Ferris, Ferris becomes the manager of your financial aid meaning that your financial aid will be awarded by Ferris and not by Grand Rapids Community College. Federal Regulations do not permit a student to receive financial aid from two colleges during the same semester.

What is the Consortium Form* and
how do I know if I should submit one?
*(Grand Rapids Community College/Grand Rapids ATC Consortium Form)
This form is used by the Ferris financial aid office to determine how many combined hours you have between Ferris and Grand Rapids Community College. Once a student has been admitted into a bachelor’s program at Ferris, their financial aid will originate through Ferris to help cover tuition at both institutions. However, we do not directly pay your charges at GRCC. Once your financial aid paperwork is in order at Ferris, we will first apply your aid to any Ferris charges, then issue a refund check to you for the remainder of your financial aid. You are responsible to pay the tuition charges at GRCC by or before their deadline, which is before the refund date.

The Consortium Form serves as a tool to inform the Financial Aid Office at Ferris of the number of credits you are taking at both Ferris and GRCC.

I am in a Consortium Program with Grand Rapids Community College. What do I need to do for both schools to let them know I need financial aid?

  • Print the consortium form (PDF). These forms are also available in the Ferris/Applied Technology Center, Room 182.
  • Complete and make one copy of the form. Attach your Grand Rapids Community College class schedule to the consortium form and mail it or turn it in to the ATC/Ferris Grand Rapids office.
  • Keep the copy for your records.
  • If you enroll in a class at GRCC that is not transferable into your Ferris program, financial aid will not be disbursed for that class.
  • This form must be completed every semester!

What happens to the Consortium Form and schedule I turn in?
When you turn in your Consortium Form and GRCC Class Schedule to Ferris-GR, your program’s Dean’s office will evaluate the classes from GRCC to make sure they will transfer into your Ferris Bachelor’s program. Once approved, the classes are entered into the Ferris computer system to show a combined number of credits for Ferris and GRCC. At the end of GRCC’s 100% refund period of each semester, we make sure you are still enrolled for the number of credits approved by the Dean’s office and then apply your financial aid to your Ferris account. If, in the event you take a GRCC class that will not transfer into your Ferris degree, you will need to pay for that out-of-pocket. Financial Aid funds will not be given for these classes.

Will I have to pay tuition at Grand Rapids Community College?
It is your responsibility to pay your Grand Rapids Community College tuition bill. The GRCC Financial Aid Office will no longer hold your classes. GRCC does have a Tuition Payment Plan called FACTS that is available for the fall and winter semesters (not summer semester) that Ferris-GR students may want use in this matter. GRCC classes will be dropped due to non-payment and students are responsible for tuition payment even if they have not yet received the refund check.

What is a “Refund Check?”
A “Refund Check” is issued when your financial aid funds exceed your Ferris charges. You can then use your refund check to pay GRCC charges, buy books, or cover other school expenses. The check is mailed to the student’s local address approximately 2-3 weeks after a semester begins. Not all students are eligible to receive a refund check.

Where do I get a student ID?
You may get one at the Kendall Building. Please call 616-451-2787, ext 1109 or 1148 to find out days and times ID’s are being handled.

How do I purchase textbooks?
Go to the Ferris State University Lundberg Bookstore at www.ferris.bncollege.com To find the list of textbooks needed for a course, use the search to lookup term, department, course, and section. Then you can purchase your book via the web for delivery to your home (sorry, pick up option for web orders only available at BR location) or purchase your book directly at the Kendall Center Bookstore. If you are taking an internet course, you may order your books at MBS Direct.

Students may charge up to $400 per semester against their financial aid refund/tuition account.

Who do I call and where do I go if I have financial aid questions?

  • For financial aid questions, contact Kevin Singer in the Ferris' Grand Rapids office at (616) 451-4777. He is available by appointment or through his walk-in hours.
  • For academic questions, please see or call your academic advisor.

Is there a web site where I can get additional financial aid information?
More information is available on the main campus site.

Is there a web site where I can get personal financial aid information?
Yes, login to MyFSU. When you are accepted, Ferris provides you with a login and password. Below are instructions on how to access your personal information.

  • Log on to MyFSU ~ Academics & Services ~ Accept Award Offer. 

Is financial aid available for the summer semester?
Summer financial aid is extremely limited. Students are required to complete the application for Summer financial aid which will be available on their MYFSU account beginning on March 1. Paper applications will be available from the Ferris-Grand Rapids office beginning on March 3.

My employer will pay for my tuition.
Do I have to pay up front?
Ferris will allow students to defer the portion of their tuition that their employer will reimburse. An employer tuition reimbursement application must be completed every semester. This needs to be submitted to the Ferris-Grand Rapids office in the ATC building along with a letter from the employer stating how much they will reimburse. A $35 service fee, plus the student’s portion of the tuition, which is the percentage the employer does not pay, are due before the semester begins.