Applying for Aid

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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.

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Requirements

Financial Aid requirements are an area in the Student Information System 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.

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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 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

• Worksheets for dependent 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
• A signed/dated copy of the parent’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 parent 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)

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 Student Aid Index 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 SAI. Students may also receive notification of an updated FAFSA Submission Summary.
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.

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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.

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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.

Registration	Registration-Begin	Registration-End	Notification to Student
On Time: Graduate		1/31/25	Week of 2/17/25
On Time: Senior		1/31/25	Week of 3/3/25
On Time: Junior		1/31/25	Week of 3/17/25
On Time: Sophomore		1/31/25	Week of 3/31/25
On Time: Freshman		1/31/25	Week of 3/31/25
Late 1	2/1/25	3/30/25	Week of 4/14/25
Late 2	3/31/25	4/13/25	Week of 4/28/25
Late 3	4/14/25	4/27/25	Week of 5/12/25
Late 4	4/28/25	5/11/25	Week of 5/26/25
Late 5	5/12/25	5/25/25	Week of 6/9/25
Late 6	5/26/25	6/8/25	Week of 6/23/25
Late 7	6/9/25	6/22/25	Week of 7/7/25
Late 8	6/23/25	7/7/25	Week of 7/21/25

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Satisfactory Academic Progress

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

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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

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Study Abroad

• Some financial aid and scholarships are available for university-sponsored study abroad trips or for study abroad trips arranged by individual students. Federal Aid disburses approximately 10 days before classes begin 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.