Student Loan Application Process

Discover what you'll need to do to apply for student loans

If you're concerned that the student loan application process is complicated, you're not alone. The process to apply for federal student loans can actually be quite confusing, but Citizens Bank is here to help. The first step in the process is completing the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can perform the entire process online at the FAFSA website. If you prefer (although students are strongly encouraged to apply online), you can apply for student loans by filing a hard copy of the FAFSA through the postal mail. Just check with your high school guidance counselor to get the paper form.

What will you need to complete your FAFSA?

You'll need your:

• Federal student aid PIN number, which will allow you to access the application and sign the form. You can get your pin number at www.pin.ed.gov.
• Social security number and driver's license
• W-2 tax form and other recent records on the income you've earned
• Copies of your parents' current-year tax return (if you're a dependent). If they have not yet filed this year's taxes, you can include estimated numbers in the FAFSA, and simply update them with the actual numbers later.

The remaining steps in the loan application process are simple. Within weeks, you will receive your Student Aid Report, which outlines your expected family contribution. Since you'll indicate on the FAFSA which colleges you've applied to, the form will be automatically forwarded to those schools. Soon, the financial aid offices of those institutions to which you've been accepted will send you a formal financial aid award letter outlining the financial aid package they will offer you. Your job will then be to compare those offers, and choose the school that best fits your future goals and family budget.

Once you've chosen the right school for you, you need to accept that school's financial aid package if you choose to receive aid. Remember, even after you've accepted your award letter you should check with your school's financial aid office to see what other forms or documents you will need to complete in order to secure your funding (for example, completing your Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note or MPN).

Apply for a Citizens Bank private student loan

After you’ve accepted your financial aid award, there still may be a gap in financing that you and your family are responsible for filling. A private student loan will help cover additional expenses. Find out more information on the Citizens Bank TruFit Student Loan®. If you still have questions, call a student loan specialist at 1-800-708-6684, and we'll help walk you through the process.