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Applying for Aid

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FAFSA

Steps You Need for Applying for Your Aid

Applying for financial aid can feel daunting. While there are many steps that are necessary, we are here to guide you every step of the way. These are the items you will need to consider as you work your way through the process:

How to Apply for Aid

  • A Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) must be on file with the Office of Financial Aid.
  • The UM-Flint Federal School Code is 002327
  • Students must file a FAFSA each year. Students are encouraged to apply early, as soon as the FAFSA is available beginning October 1. 
  • UM-Flint has a priority financial aid offering deadline.
    • February 1 of each year for continuing students. 
    • November 15 of each year for first-year students.
  • The last date to file a FAFSA for 2022-2023 is June 30, 2023. A valid FAFSA needs to be sent to the university while the student is enrolled and eligible.

Eligibility

Applicants must establish their eligibility to apply for financial aid by meeting several general requirements.

  • The applicant must be admitted to a degree-granting program*
  • The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident or other eligible noncitizen classification 
  • The applicant must be making satisfactory academic progress

An applicant in default on any Federal Student Loan (including Perkins Loan, Parent PLUS, or Graduate PLUS Loan) or who owes a repayment on a Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or other Federal Grant at any institution is not considered eligible for aid. The applicant must provide proof that the indebtedness and/or default status has been removed before the applicant can be considered for additional assistance. If an applicant owes any type of past debt to the university, then the applicant must resolve the financial obligation to the university.

Two exceptions to the degree-granting program requirement:

  • Students who must take certain pre-requisite course work to qualify for admission into a graduate program, may get a Federal Direct Stafford Loan for up to 12 consecutive months while completing that preparatory course work. The student must be enrolled at least half-time in approved coursework documented by the program advisor, and must meet the federal student financial aid eligibility requirements.
  • Students enrolled at least half-time in the teacher certification program can potentially be offered Work-Study, a Federal Direct Loan, or an application can be made by a parent for a PLUS Loan (dependent students only), while enrolled in that program. Please note that students in the teacher certification program are considered undergraduate students and are subject to undergraduate loan limits.
  • It is the students responsibility to contact the Office of Financial Aid if either of the above situations apply to the student.

NOTE: Guest students, dual-enrolled students, Genesee Early College students, and students who are non-candidates for degrees are not eligible to receive aid.

Requirements

Financial Aid requirements are an area in the Student Information System (SIS) where students may review any outstanding or completed requirements that impact their financial aid.  

The requirements area in SIS may be found by taking the following steps:

  1. Log-in to SIS with your uniqname and LAN password
  2. Select Financial Aid
  3. Select Eligibility
  4. Select Financial Aid Requirements
  5. Select Aid Year (drop down list)

Items listed under the unsatisfied requirements area need action by the student. Students must make every effort to submit the required documents immediately.

It is the responsibility of the student to check their requirements area frequently as new requirements may be added at any time. Reminders of outstanding or incomplete requirements are sent to UM-Flint email accounts or the U.S. Postal Service every two weeks.

Verification

When a FAFSA is selected for verification, the school is required to verify the information inputted onto the FAFSA as being true and accurate. The verification process ensures all financial aid is offered according to federal and state regulations., and MUST be completed before any federal financial aid, including federal student loans, and certain state and institutional aid, can be finalized.

Federal regulations governing financial aid programs require some students to be verified each year. Just because you have been selected does not mean that you have made a mistake.  Verification is a quality-control method to ensure that federal aid is disbursed fairly and accurately and that the student is offered the correct amount of aid. Students are selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education and by schools.

For your safety and security, Personal Identifiable Information (PII) should never be sent via email nor will UM-Flint request it be sent by email. The most secure methods are hand delivery, regular U.S. Postal Service, or fax directly to the Office of Financial Aid.

Documents that may be requested include:

Dependent Students

Independent Students

  • Worksheets for independent students are available through the student requirements section on SIS.
  • A sign/dated copy of the student’s Federal Income Tax Return, a copy of the Federal Income Tax Return Transcript, OR file/correct the FAFSA using the IRS data retrieval tool
  • Verification of Non-Filing (obtained with a IRS form 4506-T) if student and/or spouse did not and were not required to file taxes for the requested year OR signed Alternative Non-Filing Status Form (available in the Office of Financial Aid)

In order to ensure that verification is completed before the fall semester begins all materials must be submitted immediately, but no later than August 1. This process may take 2-3 weeks to complete.

If selected for the verification process:

  • NO federal, state, and some institutional AID are disbursed to a student’s account until all documents are received, reviewed, and processed
  • Late fees are the responsibility of the student if all initial documents were not received by the June 1 deadline
  • Failure to provide necessary documentation may result in holds being placed on your student account and prevent you from registering for classes
  • Federal Pell Grant eligible students selected for verification after their aid has paid will have the Pell Grant removed from their account. The Federal Pell Grant may be reinstated after verification is complete depending on the results

After the verification process:

  1. If the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) changes as a result of verification, there may be a delay in certain types of aid from disbursing as the central processor must be notified of the change to the EFC. Students may also receive notification of an updated Student Aid Report (SAR)
  2. Once verification is complete aid will be disbursed; either on the first day of the applicable semester or on the next available disbursement date. Loans must be accepted and originated before the funds will disburse
  3. Students will be notified of any changes to their federal fund offer with a “revised” offer notification email sent to their UM-Flint email account.
  4. The possibility exists that previously verified FAFSA data may require additional verifiable items that would prevent disbursement of most financial aid.

How to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool:

You will need the exact address used to file your tax return and your Federal PIN to use the data retrieval.

  1. Go to: studentaid.ed.gov
  2. Log in to the student’s FAFSA record
  3. Select “Make FAFSA Corrections”
  4. Navigate to the Financial Information section of the form.
  5. Respond to the first three questions about your tax filing status.
  6. Click on the link to the IRS site “LINK TO IRS”.

How to request an IRS Tax Transcript

You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and the mailing address from your latest tax return.

Option 1:

  1. Go to: gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
  2. Click on the “Get Transcript by MAIL” link and fill out the form to request your transcript.

Option 2:

  1. Call 1(800) 908-9946
  2. Follow the prompts to enter your request
    1. Make sure to request the “IRS tax return transcript” and NOT the “IRS tax account transcript.”
    2. If you have moved since the time you filed your tax return you cannot use the phone number to request the transcript. The transcript will be mailed to the address on file with the IRS. Please use Option 3.

Option 3: 

  1. Mail or fax IRS Form 4506-T

How to request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter

If you indicated that you did not or will not file taxes in the tax year requested you must fill out and submit IRS Form 4506-T.

On the 4506-T form:

  • Fill out numbers 1-4 at the top of the page
  • On line 5B enter your UMID Number as the customer number.
  • Sign and fill in phone number next to signature
  • Mail form to the IRS office indicated on the back of the form.

Special Circumstances

Dependency Override
Parent information is required for any student who cannot prove that they can answer “yes” to one of the various dependency questions on the FAFSA. However, there may be a situation where a student may not be able to provide parental information due to no fault of their own. In this case, the otherwise dependent student may be declared independent by the Office of Financial Aid for financial aid purposes.

All situations will require a Dependency Override form and supporting documentation from various unbiased third parties. Students with such circumstances must contact the Office of Financial Aid. NOTE: requesting a dependency override does not guarantee that it will be approved. The decision of the Office of Financial Aid is final.

Circumstances that may be eligible for a dependency override:

  • Your custodial parent has died and the other natural parent is still living. However, you have had no contact or support from the living parent for a significant period of time.
  • Extraordinary family circumstances. The circumstances may be a result of abandonment or where the student’s welfare would be placed in jeopardy if contact is continued.
  • Other unusual circumstances

Circumstances that are not acceptable reasons for a dependency override:

  • Student is no longer living at home
  • Student is living at home (or with relatives) but is paying rent
  • Student has ongoing arguments with parents and due to this the parents have refused to help
  • Student has elected to put him/herself through college
  • Parents have chosen to not provide financial information for the FAFSA OR provide help with the student’s college expenses
  • Student lives with, or has a step-parent who refuses to provide support

Re-Evaluation of Financial Aid
The FAFSA requires tax information from the previous tax year. This does not always reflect the current financial situation of a family. It is important to file the FAFSA with the information as it is listed on the tax return. Then the student should contact the Office of Financial Aid and inquire about a re-evaluation. During the re-evaluation, the Office of Financial Aid has the ability to use their professional judgment in order to alter the FAFSA data to reflect the current situation. DO NOT alter FAFSA data on your own.

Circumstances that may be eligible for a re-evaluation:

  • Job Loss (Must be out of work for at least 10 weeks)
  • Job Change
  • Loss of Untaxed Income or Benefits
  • Separation/Divorce
  • Death of Parent/Spouse
  • High Medical/Dental Expenses
  • Other

All situations will require a Re-Evaluation of Financial Circumstances form and supporting documentation. NOTE: a re-evaluation does not guarantee an increase in your financial assistance. An increase depends on the availability of funds and demonstrated financial need.

Summer Aid

Summer term is considered the end of the academic year. Therefore the amount of aid that is available for distribution to students during this time depends on how much was distributed during the fall and winter semesters. The amount of grants, loans, and work-study available in summer is considerably less than what is typically available during the rest of the academic year.

  • There is no additional application in order to be considered for summer aid.  Registration by January 31 in summer courses serves as students’ intent to attend summer. As such, this registration will be the basis on which a student’s summer aid will be determined. Aid will be distributed on a first come first serve basis by class standing for those who register for summer by January 31. Students must also have a current-year FAFSA on file.
  • In order to be eligible for Federal Direct Student Loans during the summer terms, a student must be enrolled in at least six undergraduate-level credits (four graduate-level credits for graduate students) and have remaining loan eligibility for the academic year. Classes can not be subject to repeat coursework.
RegistrationRegistration-BeginRegistration-EndNotification to Student
On Time – GR1/31/24Week of 2/19/24
On Time – SR1/31/24Week of 3/4/24
On Time – JR1/31/24Week of 3/18/24
On Time – SO1/31/24Week of 4/15/24
On Time – FR1/31/24Week of 4/15/24
Late 1 2/1/244/15/24Week of 4/29/24
Late 2 4/16/244/29/24Week of 5/13/24
Late 3 4/30/245/13/24Week of 5/27/24
Late 4 5/14/245/28/24Week of 6/10/24
Late 5 5/29/246/10/24Week of 6/24/24
Late 6 6/11/246/24/24Week of 7/18/24
Late 7 6/25/247/5/24Week of 7/22/24

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal law establishes that all students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree to remain eligible for financial aid. Undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Michigan-Flint must meet the following requirements.

Undergraduate Student

  1. Students may receive financial aid for a maximum timeframe of the first 180 attempted credits for each degree as an undergraduate.
    1. Transfer students will be evaluated by adding their transfer credits to their attempted undergraduate credits, allowing them to receive aid for the balance of the 180 credits.
    2. Students seeking a second undergraduate degree or teaching certificate are eligible to receive financial aid for 90 attempted credits.
  2. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 by the end of their second academic year.
  3. Pace must be maintained by making progress through a program to ensure graduation within the maximum timeframe. Pace is determined by dividing the cumulative number of attempted credits (see below), including transfer, by the number of passed credits (standard rounding rules apply). See the chart below for percentages. 
Attempted CreditsRequired Completion % (standard rounding rules apply)
1-3055%
31-6062%
61 and Above67%

Graduate Student

  1. Students may receive financial aid for a maximum timeframe of the first 59 attempted credits for each degree as a graduate.
    1. Transfer students will be evaluated by adding their transfer credits to their attempted credits, allowing them to receive aid for the balance of the 59 credits.
    2. Students enrolled in programs with significantly higher degree requirements may receive financial aid for 150% of the required credits of each program.
  2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Pace must be maintained by making progress through a program to ensure graduation within the maximum time frame. Pace is determined by dividing the cumulative number of attempted credits (see below), including transfer, by the number of passed credits (standard rounding rules apply). Minimum pace is 67%. 

Attempted Credits Defined As
Attempted credits include the following taken at the University of Michigan-Flint:

  • Successfully completed (with passing grades)
  • Transfer credits 
  • Non-passing grades (i.e. E, F, I, N, W, *)
  • Repeated classes 
  • Dropped credits after the add/drop period
  • Disenrollment from a semester on or after the first day of class that results in a W
  • Grades that are changed to a W through the Academic Standards appeal process

Monitoring SAP & Written Notification to Students

  • The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) will monitor SAP at the end of each semester including Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.  Effective for the 23/24 academic year – SAP will be monitored at the end of Fall, Winter, and Summer.
  • Written notification will be sent to students placed on Financial Aid Warning, Financial Aid Probation, Financial Aid Suspension, and Financial Aid Reinstatement if making SAP status.
  • In cases where the academic plan is required, the OFA will monitor academic plans and provide a measurement for each student’s pace based on the duration stated in each plan.

Warning
First period after students are not making SAP standards.

  • Financial aid eligibility continues for one semester and no appeal is necessary.
  • Students below their overall attempted credits at the end of a semester (see chart listed above).
  • Students completing zero or near zero attempted credits during the last semester attended at the university- may go to warn status.
  • Pertains to the next semester the student is enrolled in classes.

Suspension
A student who is not making SAP standards and who either fails to appeal their status or has their SAP appeal denied. Aid cannot be received while on this status.

  • Applies to financial aid eligibility, not to registration or academic standing.
  • Under the following circumstances, students will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status and will be ineligible to receive future financial aid
    • Students who have not reached the required 67% completion rate by the end of the Financial Aid Warning period (see chart above).
    • Students reaching the maximum attempted credits, 180 undergraduate or 59 graduate.
    • Second-degree and teacher certificate-seeking students reaching the maximum attempted credits, 90 undergraduate.
    • Students academically dismissed due to poor academic performance as prescribed by their school or college within the University of Michigan – Flint.
    • Students completing zero or near zero attempted credits during the last semester attended at the university- may go to suspension status.
    • Undergraduate students who fail to achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 by the end of their second academic year.
    • Graduate students who fail to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Reinstating Financial Aid Eligibility

  • Students may regain eligibility by successfully meeting all applicable criteria or through a granted SAP appeal.
  • The status of students who have reached the required 67% completion rate or meet the required GPA will be changed to making SAP at the end of the warning period.

Appealing Suspension

  • If special circumstances prevent students from meeting the 67% completion rate and/or graduating within the 180 undergraduate or 59 graduate allowable credits, the termination of eligibility may be appealed.
  • An appeal reviewed does not guarantee reinstatement of financial aid.
  • Appropriate circumstances include
    • serious medical illness or injury to the student
    • death of an immediate family member
    • other special circumstances
  • Appeal forms must be submitted with supporting documentation prior to or during the semester for which funds are needed.
  • Appeal forms submitted for a specific term will not be granted for that term if either of the following occurs: will be effective for the next term in which the student enrolls:
    • appeal form received after a student has stopped attending that term
    • if the student withdraws while waiting for an appeal decision during that term
  • As part of the appeal, information regarding why the student failed to make SAP, and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to demonstrate SAP at the next evaluation must be included.
  • Students may be requested to submit an academic plan that ensures achievement of at least the required 67% completion rate, the minimum required GPA, and/or graduation by a specified time frame.
  • Completion rate of attempted credits taken at the university may be considered in the appeal review.
  • Students granted an appeal will be placed on probation and will be monitored each semester.
  • The length of the probation period will depend on the specifics of the appeal.
  • Appeal forms are available here.

Probation
Defined as any student not making SAP standards who has appealed this status, and eligibility for aid has been reinstated. Students may be required to fulfill specific terms such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses during the probation period. If a student cannot mathematically achieve SAP standards in one payment period, then an academic plan will be required.

Academic Plan
For students on probation defined as a stipulation following an appeal that when followed will allow a student to achieve SAP standards in a prescribed amount of time. Eligibility for aid has been reinstated and can be received as long as all conditions of the plan are met.

Attendance
The Department of Education defines academic attendance to include academically related activity as:

  • Preparing and submitting an academic assignment
  • Taking an examination
  • Engaging in interactive computer-assisted instruction
  • Participating in online discussion about academically related topics
  • Merely logging into Canvas or other academic software does NOT constitute active participation

Requirements
The requirements area in SIS may be found by taking the following steps:

  1. Log-in to SIS with your uniqname and LAN password
  2. Click on “Home” to review any unsatisfied requirements. Submit, or complete any requirement(s) by Aug. 1.
  3. Home Page: All Requirements are listed
  4. If needed, Select Aid Year (drop-down list at the top of the page)

Required Reading
Required Reading 23-24 – Google Docs

Veterans

  • The Office of Financial Aid provides a full-time, dedicated Financial Aid Officer to answer any financial aid questions our student veterans may have.
  • Students intending to use their Veterans Educational Benefits must certify their enrollment with the Veteran’s Resource Center
  • Some benefits are considered a resource and may affect the overall need of a student
  • For more information, visit the Veteran’s Resource Center

Study Abroad

  • Some financial aid and scholarships are available for university sponsored study abroad trips or for study abroad trips arranged by an individual student. Federal Aid disburses approximately 10 days prior to classes beginning at the university.
  • If a student is planning to study abroad it is recommended that they schedule an appointment with a financial aid officer approximately six months prior to the study abroad experience. During the appointment, students should be prepared to document school/college approval, costs, possible funding, and a timeline. 
  • The Center for Global Engagement offers study abroad scholarships for faculty led and external global programs. These scholarships are offered each year and the application deadline is typically in early January. For more information, visit the Center for Global Engagement
  • Students need to have a transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar after completion of non-UM-Flint study abroad coursework for evaluation within 30 days of the completion of the program. If it is discovered that the student was not attending all course(s) for which financial aid was paid, the aid may be reduced retroactively.
  • Visit Study Abroad Program Steps for Financial Aid for additional information.