1. Financial Aid Department of Financial Aid, Student Employment & Military Education Benefits

2. Paying for College: Paying for College: Financial aid was created as the BRIDGE to Higher education. All the information gathered on the FAFSA is to develop an understanding of the household information

3. 4 Steps To Financial Aid: Apply Award Accept Disburse

4. Apply FAFSA.gov Apply EVERY year After January 1st

5. Application Processing 1.FAFSA is submitted and processed by Federal Department of Education 2.UWM retrieves the info (1-2 weeks) 3. UWM sends notification of award - OR - request missing/inaccurate information (3-5 weeks) - Verification process: Average of 6 weeks - Admission Match (Name, DOB, SSN)

6. “TO DO” Items

7. AWARD

8. What is Financial Aid? - Gift Aid (Grants and Scholarships) - Federal Work Study - Loans

9. Federal Direct Loans Subsidized Non-interest bearing while in school Interest rates 2011-2012: 3.4% Sub and $3500 FR max 6.8% Unsub and $2000 FR max $5500 total maximum loan as Freshman Unsubsidized Interest bearing while in school

10. Accept

11. Each student must “Accept” any work study or loan awards they plan to use through their PAWS account. Self-Service

12. Third Party Access Allows Parents to view Student information Parents Cannot Accept Funds

13. Master Promissory Note (MPN) & Entrance Loan Counseling (ELC): www.studentloans.gov

14. Additional Options Direct PLUS (interest 7.9% fixed) Alternative Education Loans (interest varies) Which is better? Apply for both from our website: www4.uwm.edu/financialaid

15. Disbursement

16. 1)“Accept” any work study and loan awards through PAWS account Self-Service feature 2)Report Credit Level if less than 12 credits 3) Complete a Master Promissory Note & Entrance Loan counseling from Website 4) Report any additional funding (i.e. Scholarships) To Ensure On-time Disbursement:

17. Payment of Financial Aid August 27 th 1st disbursement of financial aid occurs August 30 th TUITION DUE: If no financial aid offered by due date, must pay AT LEAST $200 tuition deposit

18. Payment of Financial Aid, cont. Tuition and/or housing is paid first; excess cash is mailed Determining Balance Due: Tuition/Housing – Aid = Balance Due Positive Balance = balance due Negative Balance = Excess $$$

19. Unusual Circumstances Examples: Divorce, unemployment, death, high medical expenses Call or set up an appointment with an advisor to discuss Don’t wait to pay your tuition!

20. Academic Progress Students must maintain academic progress to continue to receive federal aid – Pace = attempted credits vs. completed credits – Students are eligible to receive aid for up to 180 credits in their undergraduate academic career

21. RECAP: - Submit any required documents to financial aid office - View financial aid award via PAWS account accept awards - Complete MPN and ELC for Direct loans - Apply for additional loans if desired or needed - Remember to re-submit the FAFSA each year between January 1 st and March 1 st

22. Questions? Thank You for your time!

23. Mellencamp Hall, Room 162 P.O. Box 469 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0469 414 229-4541 phone 414 229-5699 fax www4.uwm.edu/financialaid finaid@uwm.edu