Financial Aid Videos
Simplify the financial aid process with our step-by-step tutorials. From deciphering the FAFSA to understanding the ins and outs of signing the Master Promissory Note (MPN), we’ve got you covered.
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How to Search for Scholarships
5X offers a variety of scholarship options that students can pursue via ScholarshipUniverse. This video provides guidance to maximize your scholarship search opportunities at Kent State.
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Create Your FSA ID
Students and their parents must create an FSA ID in order to complete their FAFSA. By watching the below video, you will understand the steps needed to create an FSA ID.
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Apply for FAFSA
To qualify for federal financial aid, students must complete a FAFSA annually. This video will provides the steps involved to complete your FAFSA at
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Financial Aid Requirements and Active Messages
How to View Outstanding Financial Aid Requirements/Financial Aid Messages
To access your account, log in to
- Navigate to the Student tab.
- Under Finances, click Scholarships & Financial Aid.
- Click on Financial Aid Dashboard. You can pin this item to your Student Dashboard.
- Confirm the Aid Year displayed in the upper right corner is the correct aid year.
- To view Unsatisfied Requirements, scroll down to the Student Requirements section on the Home tab. Review the required documents and how to submit each one.
- To view messages, click the Notifications tab from the top menu.
At times, students may need to provide extra information or documentation to finalize their financial aid eligibility, known as outstanding requirements. We communicate any outstanding requirements to students via their financial aid active messages in FlashLine. It's crucial for students to regularly check their active messages to ensure all necessary steps are completed for receiving their financial aid. This video will demonstrate how to view outstanding requirements and active messages in FlashLine.
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View My Financial Aid Awards
Students can access their financial aid awards by logging into their FlashLine account. These instructions and video tutorial will guide you through the steps to view your financial aid awards.
To get started, log in to .
- Navigate to the Student tab.
- Under Finances, select Scholarships & Financial Aid.
- Click Financial Aid Dashboard. You can pin this item to your Student Dashboard.
- Confirm that the Aid Year displayed in the upper right corner is the correct aid year.
- Click the Offer tab from the top menu.
- Scroll down to view your Scholarship(s) and Financial Aid or take action.
- Click on each type of financial aid to read more information about each offer.
This video will be updated with new instructional steps soon! Please visit our View My Financial Aid Awards Instructions tab for current instructions.
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View and Make Award Decision
How do I Accept/Decline/Modify my Awards
To access your account, sign in to .
- Navigate to the Student tab.
- Under Finances, select Scholarships & Financial Aid.
- Click Financial Aid Dashboard. You can pin this item to your Student Dashboard.
- Confirm that the Aid Year displayed in the upper right corner is the correct aid year.
- Click the Offer tab from the top menu.
- Scroll down to view your Scholarship(s) and Financial Aid and Take Action.
- You can choose to accept, decline or modify each award separately by selecting the option under the Take Action column. You can modify the offer amount to accept partial amounts of certain funds, such as student loans.
- Accept a partial amount by selecting Modify, entering the amount in the Modified Amount Field and clicking the OK button in blue to confirm.
- Once you have made your decision(s), click ܲ . The Terms and Conditions will display for review and acknowledgement. You may skip this step if already completed.
- Click on each type of financial aid to read more information about each offer.
To ensure their scholarships and federal loans are applied to their billing account, students need to either accept or decline them. By viewing the video below, you'll grasp the necessary steps to manage your financial aid awards effectively.
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Entrance Counseling & Master Promissory Note (MPN)
I Accepted the Direct Loan. Now What?
If you accept a Direct Loan, you are required to complete an Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement, Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note in order for Direct Loans to pay to your Student Account.
- To complete the Entrance Loan Counseling, visit
- Log in with your FSA ID; see instructions on
- Click on drop down arrow at the top right “Complete Aid Process”&Բ;
- Select Option "Complete Entrance Counseling"
- Click on Blue Start Button to the left and finish all 5 steps until you complete the counseling successfully.
To verify a completed Entrance Counseling:- Log onto with your FSA ID
- Click on the arrow to the right of your name in top right hand corner
- Select Documents
- Click on the Drop Down Arrow next to Document Type
- Select Loan Counseling
If you do not see an Entrance Counseling listed, or you completed the incorrect counseling type, complete the Entrance Counseling steps above.
- To complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) electronic signature visit :
- Log in with your FSA ID; see instructions on
- Click on drop down arrow at the top right “Complete Aid Process”
- Select option Complete Master Promissory Note
- Select Blue Start Button for "Complete Subsidized/Unsubsidized MPN"; complete all four steps until you have submitted the promissory note successfully.
To verify a completed MPN:- Log onto with your FSA ID
- Click on the arrow to the right of your name in top right hand corner
- Select Documents
- Click on the Drop Down Arrow next to Document Type
- Select Master Promissory Note (MPN)
If you do not see a Promissory Note listed or you completed the incorrect MPN type, complete the Master Promissory Note steps above.
Once you complete the Entrance Counseling & Master Promissory Note (MPN), the Student Financial Aid Office will receive the confirmation from the Department Of Education.
Once you've accepted your federal student loans at 5X, there are additional requirements you must fulfill on studentaid.gov before your accepted loans can be applied to your account balance. This video will walk you through the necessary steps to complete the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN).
- To complete the Entrance Loan Counseling, visit
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Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
To retain eligibility for federal financial aid at 5X, students must uphold Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards leading to degree attainment. By viewing the following video, students will gain insight into Kent State's SAP policy and learn about the appeals process in cases of non-compliance.
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Exit Counseling
All students who have borrowed federal student loans must complete Exit Counseling onwithin six months after graduating from the university or dropping below half-time enrollment. Exit Counseling acquaints you with your loan lender, provides an overview of your borrowing, and helps you select the appropriate repayment plan. This video will inform students about the Exit Counseling process and the necessary steps to complete it.
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Guide to Student Loan Repayment
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Other Options for Funding College Expenses (Gap Funding)
- Outside Scholarships
- Investigate whether there are any local scholarships you can apply for. Find other scholarships and reputable websites by using ScholarshipUniverse.
- Investigate whether there are any local scholarships you can apply for. Find other scholarships and reputable websites by using ScholarshipUniverse.
- Direct PLUS Loan (For Parents Only)
- Parents can , which is credit based. Additional loan funding is available for the student if the parent’s credit application is denied. Learn more about the Direct PLUS loans on our loans page.
- Parents can , which is credit based. Additional loan funding is available for the student if the parent’s credit application is denied. Learn more about the Direct PLUS loans on our loans page.
- Monthly Payment Plan
- Spread the costs of your education over a monthly payment plan for the fall or spring semesters.
- Spread the costs of your education over a monthly payment plan for the fall or spring semesters.
- Education Savings Plan
- If you have an established education savings plan (529 Plan), please request that payment be sent to Kent State from your provider at least two weeks before the billing due date.
- If you have an established education savings plan (529 Plan), please request that payment be sent to Kent State from your provider at least two weeks before the billing due date.
- Private Loans
- Students may apply for a private loan with a credit-worthy co-signer, if necessary.
- Students may apply for a private loan with a credit-worthy co-signer, if necessary.
- Special Circumstances Application
- If the information submitted on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is no longer an accurate representation of your family’s current financial situation, a Special Circumstance application can be submitted with qualifying circumstances.
- If the information submitted on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is no longer an accurate representation of your family’s current financial situation, a Special Circumstance application can be submitted with qualifying circumstances.
- Tuition Guarantee
- For most students, Kent State tuition, room and board are guaranteed for four years, which makes it easier to plan with confidence.
- For most students, Kent State tuition, room and board are guaranteed for four years, which makes it easier to plan with confidence.
- Room and Meal Plan Options
- For students attending the Kent Campus and planning to live on campus, be sure to review your room costs and meal plan options.
Students have multiple avenues to finance their college education. By viewing the video below, you'll explore additional loan options, payment plans, and the process for special circumstance applications.
- Outside Scholarships