| Virtual Financial Aid |
The Financial Aid Interview
(Please read this page in its entirety before proceeding)
The Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO) is a service to provide an easy method of applying for specific types of federal student aid in one central location. This service not only serves as the means of applying with the School of Urban Missions (SUM) for aid each school year, but it also keeps a record of the students federal aid history. The VFAO provides useful information for commonly asked questions, aid estimation, and is also used to request additional loan funds, if available.
VFAO Interview (to be completed annually)
The VFAO Online Interview provides the information needed to process your request for federal grants and loans. All the information you send is privacy protected. To complete the Interview, you will need your EFC number from your FAFSA. We recommend printing a copy of the interview for your records before submission.
Directions for completing the interview:
- You will not be allowed to submit the interview if any item is incomplete. If you have left any of the spaces in the interview blank, you will be given instructions on what has been left blank and directions on what to enter to complete the interview.
- You will be directed to save the interview periodically to preserve your information. At the end of the first screen of the interview, you will be directed to process your information, so the VFAO may calculate your estimated costs and federal grant and loan eligibilities. Finally, you will be asked to select the types of aid you are interested in, input an amount of Federal Loans you would like, and Submit the interview. Until you submit the interview, we will not be able to process your information.
- When the interview has been completed, you may print a copy of your online interview for your records.
- Upon your submission of your interview, our Financial Aid Director at the Oakland campus will receive your Personal Data, Financial Aid Estimate, School Financial Plan, and Student Loan Entrance Interview. The Financial Aid Director will review your student interview for accuracy. Complete and accurate documents will then be submitted to the Virtual Financial Aid independent processing center based in South Carolina.
When the VFAO processing center receives your financial aid application, it will immediately be reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal guidelines. If all is in order, the application packet will be forwarded to a VFAO financial aid professional who will schedule your Federal Pell Grant for payment, if applicable, and certify the loans you have requested. If something has been omitted from your application, or if additional information is needed, you will be notified by email. After the VFAO has successfully processed your request for financial aid, you will be notified at the email address you provided and you will receive a Student Financial Assistance Award Notice, which indicates the types of aid, amount of aid, and the dates of disbursement.
Verification
Verification is an additional process a student may go through at the request of the Department of Education. A student can be selected for verification because of a discrepancy between their tax information, social security information, etc. and the information they provided on their FAFSA. Students may also be selected for verification by random selection. Use the appropriate Downloadable Forms to meet the verification requirements. Completed requested documents should be faxed directly to the South Carolina processing center via the (888) 857-8691 fax number. For additional questions regarding verification, contact the Financial Aid Director.
Additional Funds
Loans and Disbursements
- You have never borrowed
- You are a previous borrower and wish to continue borrowing while at SUM
If you have never borrowed student loans before or if you have received loans previously for education at another institution you will be asked to complete and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Once the VFAO has reviewed your financial aid student interview, your loan will be certified by the VFAO representative, provided all federal criteria have been met. All loan disbursements will be sent directly to the School of Urban Missions by electronic transfer during the second week of each trimester.
If you've received loans previously for education while at SUM and wish to continue borrowing, you will do so from the same lender. Therefore, you will not need to complete another Master Promissory Note if you have applied for a loan at SUM before.
Questions Still?
Any additional questions regarding obtaining aid or completing a interview should be directed to our Financial Aid Director who can be contacted at (510) 567-6174 ext #105. Questions concerning balances, invoices or refund payment checks should be directed to our Business Office at (510) 567-6174 ext #109.