Financial Aid forms for
Art Institute of Boston Students

The steps below outline the financial aid application process for AIB students, and provides links to any forms you may need to submit. Don't hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have questions or would like assistance with any part of the process!

Step 1: File the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application you submit to the U.S. Department of Education. It is used to determine your eligibility for all types of federal aid, and authorizes Lesley University to disburse funds to you. Lesley also uses the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for institutional need-based grants. For the fastest service, we recommend that you apply online. Please include Lesley University's school code (002160) so that our office can receive it electronically. Don't forget, this form must be filled out each year to renew your financial aid eligibility!

• FAFSA Application Form - For the 2009-2010 Academic Year (September 2009 - August 2010), please complete a 2009-2010 FAFSA.

When do I apply?

New Students: The priority deadline for Fall 2009 is February 1, 2009 for incoming first year students, March 1 for transfer students. We recommend applying as soon as possible after January 1. If you and/or your parents have not completed your 2008 federal tax return, you can apply using estimated information and update your FAFSA once your taxes are complete.

Returning Students: The priority deadline for Fall 2009 is April 1, 2009. Because returning students do not receive tentative awards, we recommend applying as soon as possible after you (and your parents if applicable) have completed your 2008 federal tax return.

We continue to accept applications after the priority deadline, but your eligibility for some funds may be affected. Please note that your state may also have a deadline for state grant and scholarship eligibility. The Massachusetts deadline is May 1.

Step 2: Tentative Award Letter (New Students Only)

Once we have received your processed FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office has enough information to provide an early estimate of your aid eligibility. This can be especially useful if you or your parents have not yet filed your tax return, but have filed your FAFSA early with estimated information. The aid offered on your tentative award letter may change based on the results of verification (see step 3). The closer your estimates are to the actual amounts on your tax return, the closer the tentative award will be to the final award.

Please note that no financial aid can be credited to your student account until you submit all required documents and receive your finalized award letter.

Step 3: Verification and Other Required Documents

After receiving your FAFSA, we will contact you by mail and by email if additional documents are necessary to complete your application. If you have been officially accepted to your academic program, you can also view a list of your required documents on the Lesley Online Information System (LOIS), under the "My Documents" link on the Students menu.

Many students are required to complete a process called verification, which involves submitting your tax returns and other information used in completing the FAFSA to our office. If you are selected for verification, there is no cause for concern! About 30% of students are selected for this process on a random basis by the Department of Education.

Only submit these forms if we request them. Submitting documents that we do not require could needlessly lengthen the application process.

Please fill out either the Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet based on which one we have requested from you. If you are unsure of which one you need to complete or if you feel we have asked you for the incorrect version please contact our office with any questions.

• 2009-2010 Verification Forms (for the September 2009 - August 2010 Academic Year)
  • Dependent Verification Worksheet [pdf] - attach signed copies of your parent(s)' 2008 federal tax return (if they filed) and W-2s, as well as your 2008 federal tax return (if you filed) and W-2s.
  • Independent Verification Worksheet [pdf] - attach signed copies of your 2008 federal tax return (if you filed), as well as all W-2s for yourself and your spouse if applicable.

Other Forms

The forms below may be requested when more detail or clarification is needed for your Financial Aid Application. Please do not submit any of these forms unless you have received a letter or email from our office specifically requesting them. Submitting documents that we do not require could needlessly lengthen the application process.

• Consortium Agreement [pdf]
• 09/10 Asset Verification Form [pdf]
• 09/10 Special Conditions Request [pdf]
• 09/10 Dependency Override Request [pdf]
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal [pdf]
• If you have been asked to fill out the 09/10 Question 23 Worksheet, please complete both of following forms, and submit them together: 09/10 Question 23 Cover [pdf], 09/10 Question 23 Worksheet [pdf].
• If your parent would like to apply for a Federal Parent PLUS Loan, he or she can submit a 2009-2010 Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application [pdf] to the Lesley University Financial Aid Office.

Step 4: Final Award Letter, Award Acceptance

Once we have reviewed your FAFSA and all other documents requested by our office, we will send you a final Financial Aid Award Letter. For more information on the types of aid that may be included on this award letter, and the terms and conditions of your award, please follow the links below:

• Types of Aid for AIB Students
• 2009-2010 Award Guide [pdf]
• 2009-2010 AIB Award Guide Insert [pdf]

We assume that you want any scholarships or need-based grants that have been offered, and you don't have to accept these awards. However, any loans that you have been offered will require additional steps before they can be credited to your student account.

• Completing your Federal Stafford Loan Process

The amounts offered on your Financial Aid Award Letter assume that you will be enrolled full time. If your enrollment plans change, you must notify our office immediately, because your financial aid eligibility may be jeopardized.

If you were awarded a Lesley University merit scholarship or institutional grant as part of your financial aid award, you may be notified during the academic year that your scholarship and/or grant has been replaced by a Lesley University endowed fund. The total Lesley University merit scholarship and/or institutional grant amount will remain the same. Endowed funds are provided through the generosity of individuals and corporations. Without the generosity of donors, the Office of Financial Aid would not be able to award institutional grant money at amounts currently being offered.

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Step 5: Disbursement of Funds (Getting the Money)

Financial aid for a given semester is credited to your student account ("disbursed") after the add/drop period for each semester has ended. The Financial Aid Office confirms your enrollment before disbursing your aid. In order to receive your maximum eligibility for federal and state grants, you must register for all classes, including independent studies, and must have submitted any required consortium agreements before the end of each semester’s add/drop period.

Your financial aid is used first to pay your tuition, fees, and any other direct charges (such as room and board for on campus students) that you owe the university. Any remaining funds will be mailed to you in the form of a refund check by the Student Accounts Office approximately 10 days after the disbursement date. Please take these dates into account if you are planning to use financial aid towards living expenses off campus.

If you are awarded financial aid after your disbursement date has passed, your funds will be disbursed as soon as possible once all requirements have been completed by you.

Upcoming Disbursement Dates:

Fall 2009: September 14, 2009
Spring 2010: February 1, 2010

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