Applying

Students and parents who would like to apply for financial assistance of any kind must complete the 2008-09 Application for Financial Aid. Note: All incoming applicants are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid as part of the Unified Application for Admission. Applicants who complete the Financial Aid section of the Unified Application are not required to complete a separate paper application. Downloadable 2008-09 applications for Financial Aid will be available online by October 2007.

Additionally, U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are applying for financial assistance must also file the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both of these forms are available online or upon request from the NEC Financial Aid Office.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The purpose of the FAFSA is to determine a student's financial need and to confirm his or her eligibility to participate in student aid programs. The information provided on the FAFSA is calculated using a federal needs analysis formula, which has been approved by the United States Congress.

Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA online. This will shorten the length of time needed to process their application completely and accurately.

To ensure that NEC receives your FAFSA in a timely manner, be sure to include the New England Conservatory's Title IV Code #002194 in the appropriate section of the FAFSA. Estimate income and tax data if necessary to meet the stated deadlines.

Re-Applying for Financial Aid
All financial aid recipients, including those receiving only NEC funding, must re-apply for financial aid on an annual basis.

Students who are meeting NEC's academic standards, are registered, apply for financial aid on-time, and remain in relatively the same financial situation will be eligible for renewal of the initial financial aid package. NEC funding is increased proportionally (not dollar for dollar) based on the percentage increase in tuition from year to year. Students remain eligible for renewal for as long as they are working toward the same degree/diploma and are enrolled at least half time.

Deadlines

Important deadlines include the following:

December 1, 2007:

• New students' NEC Financial Aid Application due in the Financial Aid Office

February 1, 2008:

• All students' 2008-2009 FAFSA forms due to be filed with Central Processing Center

• Returning students' 2008-2009 NEC Financial Aid Application due in the Financial Aid Office

NOTE: Current NEC students who are applying to another degree program (i.e. Bachelor's students who re-apply for Master's programs) are subject to the deadlines set for new students.

It is important for all students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before NEC's priority deadline of February 1, 2008. If it is late, you will be awarded on a funds-available basis. This form is used to file for federal, state, and NEC funding.

Financial Aid Awards cannot be made until a student's financial aid application (including the FAFSA) is complete. Late or incomplete financial aid award applicants may receive a reduced financial aid award, as funds will first be committed to timely applicants. Additionally, no student will receive a financial aid award until an offer of admission to the college has been made.