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Hurricane Information - Hurricane Katrina Information - Students and Parents

Students and parents can call 1-800-4FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) for general questions.

Hurricane Katrina FAQ's
September 28, 2005

SP 1. What is the status of the federal financial aid (Federal grants, loans or work-study) I was awarded to attend a school that is now rendered non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina?

SP 2. How can I transfer my financial aid from a school impacted by Hurricane Katrina to another school?

SP 3. I was awarded federal financial aid but have not received the funds for my living expenses, and my school is now non-operational. How can I get the financial aid money that was awarded to me?

SP 4. How can I enroll at a new school if I can't get my transcript/test information from my old school?

SP 5. Where can I get my financial aid records?

SP 6. Will I be eligible for extra financial aid to replace lost items such as books, computers, supplies, etc.?

SP 7. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, I am unable to locate the necessary information to complete my financial aid application. Can you provide assistance?

SP 8. Once I have completed the transfer process and enrolled in a new school, will that new school receive the federal financial aid awarded to me at the school affected by Hurricane Katrina?

SP 9. The school I was attending is now non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina. If my previous school eventually does open for classes but I am unable to attend,, do I need to contact that school?

SP 10. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, my financial condition has changed. Do I now qualify for additional federal financial aid?

SP 11. I did not originally file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, due to Hurricane Katrina, my financial condition has now changed. Can I qualify for federal financial aid for this year?

SP 12. My school is now non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina. I have transferred to a new school. If my old school reopens, what is the status of my federal financial aid when I return to it?

SP-13. I paid money out of my own pocket directly to my school expecting reimbursement from federal financial aid and now my school is non-operational. What will happen?

SP-14. I was awarded federal financial aid (federal grant, work-study or loan) to attend a school that is non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina. Do I have to contact the school (when possible) to cancel the aid I was awarded?

SP-15. My school is non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina? What should I do with federal financial aid I received from my school for this semester?

SP-16. I am filling out my 2005-2006 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) but don’t have access to tax information. Where can I get this information if my records were lost?


SP 1. What is the status of the federal financial aid (Federal grants, loans or work-study) I was awarded to attend a school that is now rendered non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina?

A. The Department of Education is proposing legislation that will relieve students of any obligation to repay the federal aid that they received for the current term at colleges and universities that have temporarily ceased operations due to Hurricane Katrina. (9/8 updated 9/19)

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SP 2. How can I transfer my financial aid from a school impacted by Hurricane Katrina to another school?

A. You cannot directly transfer federal student aid that was awarded to you by one school to another; however, your new school can award you financial aid based on the original FAFSA you submitted. To receive aid from a new school, the first thing you need to do is to contact the financial aid office at the new school and let them know that you are interested in attending. While you don't need to fill out a new FAFSA, you do need to have the new school added to your FAFSA record so that the new school receives your FAFSA information. The best way to do this is to call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). After receiving your FAFSA information, the new school will provide you with information about your federal financial aid eligibility at that school. (9/8 updated 9/15)

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SP 3. I was awarded federal financial aid but have not received the funds for my living expenses, and my school is now non-operational. How can I get the financial aid money that was awarded to me?

A. Unfortunately, if your school is non-operational, it is unlikely your school could receive or distribute any additional federal student aid funds. If you transfer to another school, contact the financial aid office at the new school to find out your federal aid eligibility at the new school. (9/9)

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SP 4. How can I enroll at a new school if I can't get my transcript/test information from my old school?

A. Many schools are waiving normal admissions requirements for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina until academic records become available. Contact the admissions office at the new school to determine how to apply for admission. (9/13)

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SP 5. Where can I get my financial aid records?

A. To obtain your financial aid information, contact the financial aid office at the new school you plan to attend or contact the Department of Education at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). (9/13 updated 9/15)

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SP 6. Will I be eligible for extra financial aid to replace lost items such as books, computers, supplies, etc.?

A. Contact the financial aid office at your current school (if your school is operating) or the financial aid office at your new school (if you plan to transfer) to determine your eligibility for additional aid. (9/13)

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SP 7. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, I am unable to locate the necessary information to complete my financial aid application. Can you provide assistance?

A. Contact the financial aid office at your current school (if your school is operating) or the financial aid office at your new school (if you plan to transfer) and they can assist you in completing your application. (9/13)

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SP 8. Once I have completed the transfer process and enrolled in a new school, will that new school receive the federal financial aid awarded to me at the school affected by Hurricane Katrina?

A. A student who received federal financial aid at a school that is non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina and who is enrolled in a new school should contact the financial aid office at the new school to determine his/her federal financial aid eligibility. While you cannot directly transfer federal financial aid that was awarded to you by one school to another, your new school can award you financial aid based on the original FAFSA you submitted. While you don’t need to fill out a new FAFSA, you do need to have the new school added to your FAFSA record so that the new school receives your FAFSA information. The best way to do this is to call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). After receiving your FAFSA information, the new school will provide you with information about your aid eligibility at that school. (9/14)

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SP 9. The school I was attending is now non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina. If my previous school eventually does open for classes but I am unable to attend,, do I need to contact that school?

A. Contact your previous school and inform them that you are unable to attend. They will advise you on the next steps. (9/14 updated 9/15)

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SP 10. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, my financial condition has changed. Do I now qualify for additional federal financial aid?

A. Contact the financial aid office at your current school (if your school is operating) or the financial aid office at your new school (if you plan to transfer) to determine your eligibility for additional federal financial aid. (9/15)

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SP 11. I did not originally file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, due to Hurricane Katrina, my financial condition has now changed. Can I qualify for federal financial aid for this year?

A. You may be able to qualify for federal financial aid for this year. Contact the financial aid office at your current school (if your school is operating) or the financial aid office at your new school (if you plan to transfer) for assistance in determining your eligibility for federal financial aid and filling out the FAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. (9/15)

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SP 12. My school is now non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina. I have transferred to a new school. If my old school reopens, what is the status of my federal financial aid when I return to it?

A. Prior to transferring back to your original school, you should contact the financial aid office at your original school and they will assist you in determining your federal financial aid eligibility. (9/15)

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SP-13. I paid money out of my own pocket directly to my school expecting reimbursement from federal financial aid and now my school is non-operational. What will happen?

The Department of Education is proposing legislation that will relieve students of any obligation to repay the federal aid that they received for the current term at colleges and universities that have temporarily ceased operations due to Hurricane Katrina. We are strongly encouraging schools to provide expanded refunds of tuition, fees and other institutional charges for individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina. (9/19)

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SP-14. I was awarded federal financial aid (federal grant, work-study or loan) to attend a school that is non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina. Do I have to contact the school (when possible) to cancel the aid I was awarded?

A. It is not necessary for a student or parent to cancel the federal financial aid they received to attend a school that is now non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina. The Department of Education is proposing legislation that will relieve students of any obligation to repay the federal aid that they received for the current term at colleges and universities that have temporarily ceased operations due to Hurricane Katrina. (9/19)

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SP-15. My school is non-operational due to Hurricane Katrina? What should I do with federal financial aid I received from my school for this semester?

A. Until further guidance is provided by the Department of Education or their school, students and parents should hold all funds they received from their school. (9/20)


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SP-16. I am filling out my 2005-2006 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) but don’t have access to tax information. Where can I get this information if my records were lost?

A. The tax information required for the FAFSA can be obtained directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through an expedited service created for those impacted by the hurricane. To obtain tax information over the phone, contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040, choose the "personal tax account" option, and follow their instructions.

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