Dominican Develops Financial Aid Estimate Form in Response to FAFSA Delay

In response to the ongoing delays with the new FAFSA form for federal financial aid, Dominican University of California has developed an internal financial aid form designed to provide students applying to the university as first-year and transfer students with an estimate of their financial aid package for the 2024-2025 academic year within a week of submitting information.

The university also has added a series of on-campus and online resources for applicants and their families. 

The goal is to reduce students’ uncertainty and frustration caused by the ongoing FAFSA delays, says Dr. Paul Raccanello, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

“Dominican is an inclusive and welcoming community that values authentic and personal interaction while being fully committed to each student’s wellbeing and success,” Raccanello says. “We fully understand that the college application process is a stressful time for many students and their families - especially this year, so our goal is to do as much as possible to remove uncertainty around the financial aid process.”

Dominican’s institutional form will allow the university to project each applicant’s Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is an eligibility index number that colleges and universities use to determine how much federal student aid applicants would receive if they attended the school. Families should complete the form carefully and to use their tax returns to avoid any discrepancies.

The institutional form does not replace the FAFSA. All students seeking federal grants and loans still must complete and submit a FAFSA. Dominican will provide an official financial aid package once the university receives and processes the applicant’s 2024-2025 FAFSA.

However, the institutional form should provide a close estimate.

“We are confident that families who answer all the questions outlined on our new institutional form will receive a solid estimate of how much federal aid the student application will be eligible to receive,” Raccanello says. “The completed FAFSA will confirm student aid eligibility, but given that info may take several more weeks, our internal support will help students realize how affordable a Dominican education can be.”

All admitted students may use their “Penguin Portal” credentials to log in to the internal financial aid form and enter their information. Students with questions about either the institutional form or the FAFSA can contact Financial Aid at finaid@Dominican.edu or via a dedicated SMS number: (415) 843-5594.

In addition to the weekday on-campus tours and counseling appointments and financial aid appointments, Dominican has added a series of Saturday events for prospective and admitted students and their families:

• Applicants and admitted students can meet in-person with admissions and financial aid counselors and tour campus with admissions ambassadors on March 2 and 23, April 6 and 27, and May 4.
• Those who cannot make it to campus can attend Zoom financial aid appointments on March 2, March 26, April 6, and April 27.
• Admitted students and their families can attend the undergraduate Admitted Student Open House on March 16 and April 13.