Financing your college education will require budgeting and careful planning, for you and perhaps for your parents. And, although college costs are kept low at the University of North Texas due to state assistance, many students still need help financing their education. Financial aid makes it possible for thousands of students to attend the university.
UNT's Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office awarded $139.1 million in financial aid in 2003-04 and another $12.9 million in scholarships. About 55 percent of students at UNT receive financial aid and scholarships. In addition, about 3,800 jobs, including work-study jobs, are available on campus. In fact, nearly all students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can receive federal or state assistance.
Financial aid awards are funded and regulated by state and federal governments, so applying for and receiving financial aid is complex. It takes time, patience and effort on your part to submit information by UNT's priority dates and understand the step-by-step process.
This publication will help you get started. Planning ahead and following the necessary steps will help you meet your goal. Be sure to allow enough time; completing your financial aid file usually takes two to three months.
You might be surprised to find out how much assistance you can receive, regardless of your family's income level. You won't know unless you apply.
To apply for federal financial aid (grants, loans, work-study), here are some of the requirements. You must:
Apply early! The FAFSA is available each January for the upcoming academic year. Electronically filing your FAFSA can decrease processing time by eliminating delays that can occur during the mailing process. You can access the FAFSA online. Completing it on the web is also easier, because you are prompted to answer only those questions that pertain to you.
Current and prospective UNT students may use the computer lab at Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to access the FAFSA web site Monday-Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To receive first consideration for awards, submit your FAFSA to the Department of Education's federal processor by the following priority dates:
If you miss the priority dates listed above, send in your application anyway. Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will continue to process applications received after these dates.
*Summer applicants: In addition to the FAFSA, you will be required to complete a Summer Application, which will be available in early spring at www.unt.edu/finaid.
When filling out the FAFSA, don't forget to do the following:
No. Applying for scholarships is a separate process. For specific information about scholarships, you should contact Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, the UNT admissions office or the academic department that corresponds to your major.
Grants do not have to be repaid. They are available to students who meet financial need requirements. Several federal, state and institutional grants are available at UNT.
Loans for college are available at low interest rates to students and parents of dependent students and must be repaid after you graduate or drop below half-time status. Some loans are based on financial need and others are available regardless of your financial circumstances. Several loan programs are available at UNT.
Federal work-study funds are earned as payment in a program-sponsored job. The program is available to students who meet financial need requirements. Work-study students work 10 to 20 hours per week and receive an hourly wage. A typical award is $4,000 per nine-month academic period. Students who are not eligible for work-study can still obtain employment on campus by contacting Student Employment at (940) 565-2105.
The federal Department of Education determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on information you provide on the FAFSA. Parent and student resources are considered the first source of funds to finance an education. Parents income is not included in the EFC for independent students. Financial need is the difference between the cost of education (COE) and the EFC. Each university determines its own COE, which includes average cost of tuition and books, room and board, and personal and travel expenses. If your COE is $13,840, and your EFC is $5,000, the financial need would be $8,840.
Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will review your eligibility for need-based programs up to the amount of your financial need, then review your eligibility for aid programs that are not based on need up to the amount of your COE. Your eligibility for need-based aid ($8,840 in the example) is not a guarantee that you will receive that amount.
Approximately four weeks after you have completed the online FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) and Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will receive your FAFSA data electronically. Check your report for accuracy and submit corrections to the federal processor if necessary. If your SAR is accurate, keep it for your records. Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify you by mail of additional documentation that may be required. It is important that you respond to all requests for additional information in a timely manner. Your file must be complete and you must be admitted to UNT before processing of aid will continue. Students may access their financial aid information using My Financial Aid online. Log in to the My UNT student portal at my.unt.edu.
No. To renew your financial aid, you must apply each year. Changes in federal regulations, educational costs and your family circumstances make it necessary to evaluate your eligibility each year. To continue your eligibility, you also must meet satisfactory academic progress guidelines. You may complete a renewal FAFSA on the web as early as Jan. 2 of each new calendar year on the FAFSA web site.
Student Financial Aid and Scholarships is located on the first and second levels of the Eagle Student Services Center (ESSC), a building that conveniently houses all enrollment-related services of the university.
Yes. Financial aid counselors and assistants are available to answer your questions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We know the process is complicated and every question is valid, so don't hesitate to call or to stop by Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
An excellent starting place is the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships web site at www.unt.edu/finaid, which has a great deal of information as well as links to other sources.
Yes. UNT offers the convenience of a tuition and fee installment plan and short term loans. You may also be eligible for an exemption or waiver. Several waivers are available for veterans and their dependents. For more information on these payment options, contact Student Accounting and University Cashiering Services at (940) 565-3225.
The vice president for student development office offers two different loans for students at UNT: the Allan Saxe NT Green Loan and the Memorial Loan. These loans can help meet the need for emergency funds and help if a student's financial aid is delayed. For more information on these two loans, you may contact the vice president for student development office at (940) 565-4909.
Veterans who are receiving GI Bill educational benefits can contact UNT's Veteran's Program office at (940) 565-2111.