The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of the student financial aid programs and financial counseling to students who apply for aid.

Students applying for financial aid should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should apply over the Internet at http:www.fafsa.ed.gov. FAFSA applications are also available at the SIPI Financial Aid Office (FAO) located in the Administration Building, Room 102. The office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Financial Aid personnel are available to assist students with completing the financial aid applications. For additional help in filling out the FAFSA, students can go to the DOE "Completing the FAFSA" web site at http://www.studentaid.ed.gov . Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible in order to meet financial aid deadlines and eliminate a delays in obtaining financial aid. Information and assistance concerning the various financial aid programs can be obtained from various high school counselors, BIA and tribal education counselors or by calling the FAO at SIPI (505) 346-2344/2361. SIPI's Title IV school code is 011185. For additional school codes log on to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• To receive financial aid, students must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program.
• To qualify for a full-time financial aid award, students are required to carry a minimum class load of twelve (12) credit hours, and maintain satisfactory academic progress of 2.0 GPA minimum. Part-time students are also eligible for financial aid.
• Students may not owe a refund on a PELL grant and must not be in default on any Title IV loans at any school previously attended.
• Transfer students must provide an academic transcript from every post-secondary school they attended, even though they may not have received any financial aid. Effective July 1, 2000 schools are authorized to use data from the NSLDS to monitor the financial aid history of all applicants for Federal student aid. Academic transcripts will be reviewed to quantify academic progress. SIPI currently has a maximum timeframe not to exceed 150% of the published length of the program for Federal financial aid eligibility.
• Students must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
• Students must answer Question 28 (FAFSA) about drug convictions. In some cases, students convicted of drug-related offenses may not be eligible to receive federal financial aid for a period of time.
• Male students must register (or have registered) for Selective Service, if between the ages of 18-25. If you are male and have not registered yet, you may obtain forms at your local post office or visit the web site for more info: http://www.sss.gov

Dependent Verification Form (in PDF format)

Independent Verification Form (in PDF format)

Question 23 Worksheet (in PDF format)

Review of Dependency Status (in PDF format)

Form 4506-T Tax Transcript Request (in PDF format)

Verification of Child Care Expenses (in PDF format)

NON-Tax Filers Statement (in PDF format)

Review of Dependency Status Application (in PDF format)

Financial Aid Appeal Form (in PDF format)

Financial Aid Data Form (Required) (in PDF format)

Students at SIPI can receive aid through grants, work-study and other programs, most of which are based on need. Once the Financial Aid Office determines how much and what kind of aid a student may be eligible to receive, a financial aid package is prepared to meet the student's need. Financial Aid Programs include:

Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students only. Grants do not have to be repaid and are renewable each award year only if students continue to meet program requirements. PELL grant checks are paid once during the trimester on/or about the 8th week of the term.

This program is designed to provide financial assistance to students through part-time employment on campus. Work-study students are paid the minimum wage and payments are issued on a bi-weekly basis. Work schedules are determined by class schedules and job requirements.

The Supplemental Educational Grant (SEOG) is available to exceptionally needy students who wish to attend SIPI. Students with the greatest of need and who are PELL eligible are awarded FSEOG are paid once per trimester on/or about the 8th week of the term.

The NMSSIG is available for New Mexico residents who are full-time students, are PELL eligible and who are determined to have exceptional need. If funds are available, part-time students may be eligible. SSIG awards are paid once per trimester on or about the 8th week of the term.

NOTE: SIPI does not participate in any loan programs.

Students interested in receiving financial aid from the following programs must apply directly with the appropriate agency:

Morris K. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship ($5000): All sophomore students with a “B” pursuing full-time study during the 2010-2011 academic year are eligible to apply. SIPI will nominate up to 6 students for the national competition. Applications are due February 2, 2010 by 4:00pm in the financial aid office.

• Morris K. Udall - Letter to Students (in PDF format)

• Rating Sheet - 2008 Morris K. Udall Scholarship Program (in PDF format)

• Insight from a Former Reader (in PDF format)

• 2010 Undergraduate Scholarship Application (in PDF format)

Students may be eligible to participate in the BIA/Tribal Higher Education or Adult Vocational Training Programs. Applications must be submitted to agencies well in advance of enrollment at SIPI. Availability of funds is determined by the funding agency. To apply for funding contact or write your BIA/Tribal Scholarship Offices. Students must complete a FAFSA in order for FAO to complete a budget to respective BIA/Tribal Higher Education Offices.

Students are encouraged to complete their veterans application on line at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov. Eligible students will then have the enrollment certified by the SIPI certifying official.

Written records of previous education and training are maintained to show that appropriate credit has been given for the previous education. The training program at SIPI is then shortened proportionately. Information about eligibility for VA education and training benefits is available at any Veterans Administration Office. The Albuquerque Veterans Administration is located at 500 Gold Avenue SW 87102, Call toll free 1-800-827-1000 (NM Residents) or visit: http://www.va.gov.

Disabled persons may be eligible for education and training benefits from DVR. The Albuquerque offices include: The Albuquerque office include: 7905 Marble Avenue NE, (505) 232-8701; 300 San Mateo NE, Suite 101, (505) 841-6450; Disability Determination Services, 3121 Amherst Drive, NE, (505) 841-5600; DVR Toll Free Numbers - 1-800-224-7005; 1-877-475-8226 TTY. DVR Web site: http://www.state.nm.us/dvr. Students may also contact the on-campus counselor at (505) 346-2322.

In specific instances, disabled students may be eligible to draw educational benefits through Social Security. Information on the application process and eligibility requirements may be requested by calling 1-800-772-1213. Visit SSA web site: http://www.ssa.gov.

Students are encouraged to initiate independent research for other scholarship assistance to supplement their expenses. Some resources are available at the SIPI Financial Aid Office.

www.fastweb.com
www.scholaraid.com
www.supercollege.com
www.collegefund.org