Student Services

Financial Aid General Information & FAQ

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The following policy and procedural changes are effective beginning Fall 2009.  Please note, *financial aid census date and the initial financial aid disbursement dates have been changed!

For fall 2009 and spring 2010 the *financial aid census dates, disbursement dates,
and check mailing dates will be as follows:

Activity	Fall Term 2009 Dates	Spring Term 2010 Dates
First day of classes	Wednesday, Sept. 2nd	Monday, January 25th
Last day to add/drop classes (10th day of classes)	Wednesday, Sept. 16th Midnight	Sunday, Feb. 7th   Midnight
Credits captured for financial aid payment (*Financial Aid Census Date/10th day of classes)	Wednesday, Sept. 16th Midnight	Sunday, Feb. 7th Midnight
Financial aid authorized (11th day of classes)	Thursday, Sept. 17th	Monday, Feb. 8th
Financial aid electronically disbursed (12th day of classes)	Friday, Sept. 18th	Tuesday, Feb. 9th
Checks printed and mailed from Madison (12th day of classes)	Friday, Sept. 18th	Tuesday, Feb. 9th

*Financial aid census date is the date on which a snapshot is taken of credits for which a student is enrolled.  Financial aid is paid for that number of credits.

Financial Aid General Information
Financial aid will be paid based upon the status of your financial aid process and the number of credits you are carrying at the end of the 10th day of classes.  State and Federal grants, Stafford loans, and Institutional scholarships will be, initially, credited to your account electronically.  Any remaining funds will be issued in the form of a check and mailed directly to your home from the UW Colleges Financial Aid Office in Madison.  Payment of any outstanding balances not paid by financial aid, i.e. penalty or interest fees, is your responsibility.

If you add credits, which increases your tuition balance, after the 10th day of classes, you will not be eligible for or receive any additional financial aid.  If you have already received your financial aid and you reduce your credits or withdraw, the date posted in PRISM will be the date used to determine the amount of any repayment you may owe.  Please contact Student Services for advisement with regard to this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What if my financial aid is not here by the time tuition is due?
A.  Make any appointment with the Financial Aid Specialist in Student Services to check the status.  If an aid award has been offered, Business Services may be able to approve a Fee Deferment up to the amount offered or the total tuition, whichever is greater.

Q.  What if my financial aid will be/is not enough to cover the full tuition I owe?
A.  To avoid a $100 administrative late payment penalty fee, see Business Services to either pay your balance or apply/make a down payment for the Credit Agreement Payment Plan.

Q.  What if my financial aid is not authorized by the 10th day of classes, I haven't paid my tuition, or I haven't gotten a Fee Deferment or I haven't applied for a Credit Agreement Payment Plan?
A.  You will be charged a $100 administrative late payment penalty fee.

Q.  What if I applied late and have not received an award letter by the 10th day of classes?
A.  To avoid a $100 administrative late payment penalty fee, see Business Services to either pay your tuition in full or apply/make a down payment for the Credit Agreement Payment Plan.

Q.  If I accept work-study, am I issued a check for that amount?
A.  No, you work for a department on campus and receive a bi-weekly paycheck upon submission of time sheets. 

Q. How many credits do I need to carry each semester to be eligible for financial aid?
A.  A Pell grant is based on full time (12 or more credits per semester), but is prorated if you are a less than full-time student.  Eligibility for other grants, loans and work-study is based on at least half-time enrollment.

For any other questions regarding financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Specialist in Student Services, 459-6633.