My Scholarships Reviewer Frequently Asked Questions

Please select this link for a MyScholarships login tutorial. 

• Go to www.ferris.edu/mys
• Click on Sign In on the Reviewers and Reference section
• Switch from the default Applicants and Administrators to the References and Reviewers tabs one more time on the top right hand side of the tabs, and then you can log in.
• When you are signed in, you will hover over your email address on the top right and click on reference in the drop down.
• There you will be able to complete the reference portion.

The Financial Aid office relies on the federal formula for  "need" which is: Cost of Attendance (COA) minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC) equals "need", as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the calculated result of a student that files a FAFSA. It is a measure of the amount that the student's family should reasonably be able to contribute toward the student's education each year. 

The federal government regulates and defines Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA) as any educational benefit paid because of enrollment in a post-secondary education institution or to cover post-secondary education expenses. If funding is EFA as defined above, it must be awarded through the Financial Aid office and in accordance with all applicable federal aid regulations.

The Financial Aid office is required to estimate the average Cost of Attendance for various groups of students, such as undergraduates, graduate or professional students. Cost of Attendance includes several education-based components, such as: tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, housing and food, and loan fees. 

The COA represents the maximum amount a student may receive in any form of financial aid, including sources of free money such as grants or scholarships. 

By definition, "scholarships" are intended to help a student pay for their educational expenses. The scholarship application and awarding process is in place to recruit and retain students for the next awarding cycle. Scholarships should not be awarded to graduating students as a reward for current year performance, but should be awarded to continuing students for the following year, to provide students with financial stability as they continue their education at Ferris State. Students may still be surprised at awards ceremonies, but the awards must first be vetted by the Financial Aid office for eligibility compliance, and awarded for the next academic year.