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Financial Aid Checklist

 

For New, Current or Transfer Students in Undergraduate or Graduate Programs


As a new, transferring or returning undergraduate or graduate student, we encourage you to explore your financial aid options, including loans, grants, scholarships and other tuition assistance.

Follow our step-by-step checklist to get started.

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Applying for financial aid can get complicated. If you have questions, please ask. We are happy to assist!
Step 1: Apply/Renew Scholarships
  • If you are a new or transfer undergraduate student, apply for admission to °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ by Feb. 1 to receive your best financial aid offer.
    • First-year freshman who apply by Feb. 1 will automatically be considered for first-year merit scholarships. 
    • If you're a transfer student, check your deadlines for merit scholarships. 
    • Remember to submit your final high school, dual credit or college transcripts.
  • All students can conduct a scholarship search. 
  • If you are a returning student, you may be eligible to renew your current °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ scholarships:
    • If your current scholarship is a renewable scholarship, it will be renewed automatically if you meet the renewal criteria. Renewal criteria can be viewed in > Student > Scholarships and Financial Aid > Financial Aid Awards > Award Overview > Click on the name of each scholarship to view renewal criteria. 
    • If your current scholarship is a non-renewable scholarship, you will have to reapply to be considered for the scholarship during the upcoming year. 
  • If you are a graduate student, check with the Graduate College and your College to find major specific scholarship opportunities and explore Graduate Assistantship opportunities. 
Step 2: Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • File the to be considered for federal and state financial aid programs each academic year. To ensure maximum eligibility, complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 each year. File no later than Feb. 1 to be considered for your best financial aid offer. 
    • Parents may apply for a (optional for undergraduate students)
    • Graduate Students: The Federal Direct Graduate is available to students who may need to borrow additional funds. 
  • If requested, complete the verification process or Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal prior to receiving federal financial aid. To view your financial aid status or any other outstanding requirement, go to > Scholarships and Financial Aid > Financial Aid Status. 
  • If your submitted FAFSA is no longer an accurate representation of your family's current financial situation, consider completing a special circumstance application. 
Semester you plan to attendYou will submit this FAFSAYou can submit the FAFSAUsing income and tax information
Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 20252024-2025Now2022
Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 20262025-2026TBD2023
Step 3: View and Accept Financial Aid Awards
  • You will be notified when you can view and accept/decline/reduce your financial aid awards (including federal aid, state aid and university scholarships) in under Financial Aid Awards.
    • First-time federal loan borrowers: Sign the and complete . You must complete these to receive federal aid. As a part of Entrance Counseling, you will receive information regarding Direct Loans, budgeting your expenses, repayment options and your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. In order to use your federal student aid for non-institutional charges, complete your Title IV authorization. 
    • Returning federal loan borrowers: Monitor federal loan borrowing, view loan history and find servicer information on . 
  • Report outside scholarships, awards and other tuition assistance you are bringing to °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ on the Resources/Additional Information tab in .
  • If you are a transfer student, contact your current school's financial aid office and cancel any undisbursed financial aid, including loans and grants. Students cannot receive federal aid at more than one school at a time. 
Step 4: Updates, Gap Funding and Payments
  • Check your °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ email address regularly for important information and updates from the university. 
  • Review information about authorization of Title IV aid (federal aid) under the Financial Aid section of FlashLine. 
  • Explore Federal Tuition Assistance for military-connected students. 
  • If you still need help covering your college expenses, explore gap funding. 
  • Notification of your invoice will be sent to you by email in July for fall semester, December for spring semester and April for summer semester. 
  • To share your student account or financial aid information with a parent, guardian or advocate, grant FERPA authorization.
  • Visit the Billing and Payments website for detailed billing, payment, due date and refund information. 
  • Consider Tuition Insurance.
Step 5: Exit Counseling and Repayment
  • If you received a federal loan, you are required to complete upon exiting the university, dropping to less than half-time enrollment status or graduating. 
  • View your current loan amounts and find your loan servicer at .
  • Create an online account with your (the company that handles the repayment process of your loans for the Department of Education).
  • Work with your loan servicer to determine your . Repayment will begin six months after you graduate, withdraw or fall below half-time enrollment. 

 

Other Financial Scenarios

 

If you have unique circumstance related to your financial aid eligibility or award, — such as a Verification or Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirement, summer financial aid or transferring — you can find answers to those questions and more below. 

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