Get Video Answers to Financial Aid Questions

  Summary

• There are two primary types of Federal aid that we support:
  
  
  1. Loans - which need to be repaid
  2. Grants - which do not need to be repaid
• Many students qualify for both Grants and Loans based on financial need. Eligibility and amount, for loans or grants, depends on multiple factors including financial situation
• Most students, regardless of income, will qualify for some form of Federal Student Aid, usually in the form of loans
• Try the government’s FAFSA4caster to discover what type and amount of aid you may qualify
• You can combine multiple sources of financial aid
• Click on any of the options on the left to get more details on eligibility and process.

  Process at a Glance

1. Apply for admission to our university and complete the online orientation
2. Select your academic year start;
   • Through the registration process by clicking "Register Now", following the prompts and selecting FSA for your courses OR
   • By selecting "My FSA Academic Year" in the e-Campus under the Federal Student Aid menu
3. Access MAP by clicking "My Aid Portal"
   • Complete Your financial aid application
   • Provide any needed documents and complete required steps
   • Sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) and loan entrance counseling (loan recipients only)
   • Continue to log into MAP for updates on document requirements and awards
4. Make sure all your registrations are in place for the semester as soon as possible to establish eligible funding for your enrollment.
   • Enrollment Status: Undergraduate
     • Full-time= 12+ credit hours per semester
     • 3/4 time= 9 credit hours per semester
     • Half-time= 6 credit hours per semester
     • Less than half-time= 3 credit hours per semester
   • Enrollment Status: Graduate
     • Full-time= 6 credit hours per semester
     • Half-time= 3 credit hours per semester
5. Stay alert for email notifications from the Financial Aid Office
6. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)
7. Review your award(s) within the "Financial" tab in MAP
   • Estimated awards: An approximate calculation of financial aid based on an initial assessment of eligibility.
   • Actual awards: A calculation of financial aid based on actual enrollment and an assessment of eligibility.

8. Still have questions? View more details on each step

Time frame

• Working your way through the application process for Federal Student Aid can take a considerable amount of time. You should begin the process at least 5-6 weeks prior to your semester start. Speed of processing depends on your responsiveness and the accuracy of information provided
• Register early and anytime before your first semester starts. Just make sure you have an established (actual) financial aid award in place. “In place” means having your award letter in hand and confirmed.
• All FSA students must register for ALL classes they intend to take within a 16-week semester at least 1 week prior to that semester start date. Even if they are taking 8-week courses, they must register for both 8-week sessions within the 16-week semester prior to the first 8-week session start date.