Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? See if we touch on your topic in our list of "Frequently Asked Questions." Scroll through the questions below or select one of the general topics for more information. If you don't see the answer to your specific question, contact us!
General Questions
Q: How do I get started?
A: Please review the Application Process before you begin the Financial Aid process.
Q: Where can I go if I need assistance with paperwork or have questions?
A: The Office of Financial Assistance has advisors available to assist you and your student. No appointments are necessary. You may also email any questions to finaid@uiwtx.edu
If you have questions regarding the FAFSA, please call 1800-433-3243
If you have questions regarding Loans by Web, please call 1800-845-6267
If you have questions regarding your loans, please contact your lender.
Q: Do I need to set an appointment to discuss my financial aid?
A: No. Walk-in counseling is available for all students during business hours (Monday-Thursday 8am-6pm, Fridays 8am-5pm during the Academic Year, or Monday-Friday 8am-5pm during the Summer). You may also contact us by email at finaid@uiwtx.edu.
Q: Will I be notified if my file is missing information?
A: The Office of Financial Assistance will include missing information on the Award Letter by mail or email to let students know that their files are incomplete. Please review your Award Letter carefully to ensure that you submit all required paperwork. You may also check this information online.
Q: Do I need to reapply for financial aid annually?
A: In order to receive financial assistance, students will need to reapply annually by submitting the FAFSA and Student Information Form to our office. Students may apply starting January 1st for the following summer, fall, or spring. The priority deadline is April 1st, we encourage all students to submit their paperwork before April 1st to receive all possible financial aid.
Q: How can I claim independent status for my financial aid?
A: For federal student aid purposes, you must provide parent information if you answer NO to ALL of the following questions. If you answer YES to ANY of the following questions, you do not have to provide parent information.
- Were you born before January 1, 1984?
- At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
- As of today, are you married? “As of today” refers to the day that you complete your FAFSA online.
- Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you? (Please provide copies of tax forms indicating dependent child and income of at least $10,000)
- Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2008?
- Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Be prepared to provide appropriate documentation if needed to support your claim.
Q: What is Verification?
A: Your school must review the requested information, under the financial aid program rules (34 CFR, Part 668). Your FAFSA application may be selected for review in a process called “Verification.” In this process, your school will be comparing information from your application with signed copies of your and/ or your parent(s)’ current Federal tax forms, or with W-2 forms or other financial documents. The law says we have the right to ask you for this information before awarding Federal aid.
Complete the required verification form and attach the signed copies of your and/ or your parent(s)’ current Federal tax forms, or with W-2 forms. Please submit these forms to our office as soon as possible, so that your financial aid won’t be delayed. You may either mail, drop-off, or fax these forms to 210-283-5053.
Q. How many hours must a student be enrolled to qualify for financial aid?
A: To qualify for financial aid, a student must be enrolled for at least half of the hours required for a full-time load each semester. The university defines full-time enrollment as follows:
- 12 hours each semester for undergraduates (6 hours is half-time)
- 9 hours each semester for graduates (4 hours is half-time)
These enrollment requirements apply during all semesters (summer, fall and spring). Students not qualifying for traditional financial aid because of enrollment should contact our office to review alternative options.
Q: What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?
A1: The Higher Education Ammendment Act of 1965, as amended, mandates that universities must establish a minimum standard for academic progress for student receiving federal financial aid. At UIW, students must:
- meet the minimum GPA requirements (2.0 for undergraduate students; 3.0 for graduate students) and
- complete at least 75 percent of all attempted coursework.
The OFA reviews SAP each spring. If you lose eligibility for financial aid because you did not meet SAP requirement, you have the opportunity to regain eligibility either,
- by proving to the OFA at some later point that you are now meeting SAP; or
- by appealing the termination decision to the OFA, in writing, and proving there were extenuating circumstances resulting in not meeting SAP.
A2: State programs (like the Tuition Equalization Act and the B-on-Time Loan) have seperate academic progress requirements (see state standards and hardship policy). If you are denied a Tuition Equalization Grant or B-on-Time Loan renewal award because you did not meet the state's academic progress requirements, you can appeal by submitting a state appeal form to the UIW OFA.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of semesters or credit hours a student can take and still receive financial aid?
A: The maximum number of credit hours a student attempts may not exceed 125 percent of the number of credit hours required for graduation in his or her program of study as published in the University catalog. If your degree plan requires 128 credit hours, you can recieve credit hours for up to 16 credit hours (128 X 1.25 = 160). Once your reach the maximum number of hours permitted for your degree, you are no longer eligible for financial aid.
Undergraduate Students
Q: How much will it cost me to attend UIW?
A: Your average costs depend on your level of enrollment, whether or not you live on campus, and whether you elect to add-in optional charges. You can use our Cost Information Worksheet to estimate your costs for the current academic year. Or, you can review detailed tuition and fee information online.
Q: What financial assistance am I eligible for?
A: Student may be eligible for grants, loans, work study. See list below:
- Academic Merit Scholarships: Student must meet specific requirements; must be enrolled full-time (12-18 hours); maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Performance Scholarships: Student must audition; must be enrolled full time (12-18 hours)
- Athletic Scholarships: NCAA funds awarded through athletic departments
- Grants: Student must demonstrate need; must be enrolled full time (12-18 hours, with the exception of the Pell grant)
- Work-Study Program: Student must demonstrate need; must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours, however priority is given to full-time students)
- Federal Student Stafford Loans: Student must apply for loans and be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours)
- Endowed Scholarships: Students must apply for endowed scholarships, have a GPA of 3.6 at time of application, be enrolled full-time (12-18 hours), and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 if awarded a scholarship
- Outside Scholarships: Student must meet the requirements of outside scholarship programs.
If you are an undergraduate enrolled in the UIW ADCap or Virtual University program, the aid available to you will differ.
Returning Students
Q. I turned in my FAFSA, why haven't received my award letter?
A: Returning students are required to have a completed file with the Office of Financial Assistance in order to be awarded. You can view your requirements on-line at "View Your Financial Aid On-Line" or contact the OFA.
Q. I didn't receive the same award as I did last year. What happened?
A: Since financial assistance is re-evaluated every year with the FAFSA, any changes in income and the number in the house hold will come into consideration when a student is awarded. The availability of funds is also different from year to year. We highly recommend completing your Financial Assistance file as early as possibly to help secure your award.
Graduate Students
Q: Is financial assistance available for students enrolling in graduate programs?
A: Financial assistance is available to students enrolling in master's and doctoral students (read more).
ADCaP & Virtual University Students
Q: Is financial assistance available for students enrolled in these programs?
A: Yes, financial assistance is available. Students should complete the FAFSA and any other documentation required by the OFA. See the Application Process for more information.
Programs for Eligible ADCaP and Virtual Students Include:
- PELL Grant- must meet Federal eligibility guidelines based on need
- Student Loans – must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours per 8 week term)
- Outside Scholarships – must meet requirements of outside scholarship programs
Parents
Q: Can I apply for a loan in my name for my student's education?
A: Parents can apply for the Federal PLUS loan to help cover the cost of their son/daughter's education. Parents can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial assistance. This loan will go into repayment after the disbursement of funds, but eligible borrowers may qualify for a forbearance up to 48 months. See the Lender List for a listing of participating lenders.
Loans
Q: How do I apply for educational loans?
A: Loans are awarded to you as part of the aid package you receive from UIW. The process you follow to apply for a loan, once you've been awarded, varies depending on the kind of loan you're taking out. But most lenders allow you to apply online. (Read more.)
Q: What is the difference between the Subsidized Stafford Loan and the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan?
A: Subsidized loans are need based loans. Freshmen are eligible to receive $3500, sophomores $4500 and JR/SR $5500. Need is determined from the FAFSA results. The government is paying the interest while the student is in school at least half time for the subsidized loan. Unsubsidized loans are not need bases but are limited to the same amount as the subsidized. Those students that have a parent that has been denied for the PLUS loan are eligible to receive additional unsubsidized loan funds.
For students enrolled in professional or graduate programs, the educational loan limit per year is $18,500 from the Federal Stafford Loan program. After July 1, 2007, the annual limit will be $20,500.
Q: If I find the financial aid I have isn't enough to cover my costs, is other aid available?
A: Students who need additional financial assistance can, if they choose, apply for alternative loans. Alternative loans are private, credit-based loans designed to help students meet the cost of education through private financing. For most alternative loans, you must be credit-worthy or obtain a cosigner that is credit-worthy and meet each loan's specific criteria. You are not required to complete a FAFSA to qualify for an alternative loan, but you must reapply for the loan each year.
Q: How much money can I apply for through an alternative loan program?
A: Typically, the amount you can borrow will be limited by your actual cost of attendance. Other limitations may apply depending on your individual circumstances and the lender/loan program you choose. If you have questions, the Office of Financial Assistance has advisors available to assist you and your student. No appointments are necessary. You may also email any questions to finaid@uiwtx.edu
Financial Aid for Summer Courses
Q: I want to take courses in summer, but my award letter only lists financial assistance for FALL and SPRING. What do I do?
A: Once students have registered for summer courses, students may stop by the office and submit a Summer School Application. The OFA will manually adjust your student loans to pay the summer courses.
Outside Scholarships
Q: What is an Outside Scholarship?
A: Outside scholarships are scholarship funds that students apply for organizations other than the University. Students are encouraged to seek scholarships from, youth organizations, church, businesses and community groups. Be sure to review their requirements and deadlines.
Q: Where can I find outside scholarships?
A:Students are encouraged to seek scholarships from their high school or school district, any youth organizations they have participated in or belong to, church/religious groups, parental/student employers, local/national business, community/fraternal organizations, and local/national foundations.
The Office of Financial Assistance has a comprehensive resource center for students to research and apply for financial aid. The resource center is equipped with computers students can use to submit their FAFSA online, look for scholarships online or research specific loans/lenders. The resource center also allows students access to financial aid applications, scholarship applications, loan applications and other information regarding financial aid.
Students can access the resource center on a walk-in basis during normal office hours.
Q: What do I do with a scholarship check that needs to be applied to my account?
A: Bring it to the Office of Financial Assistance; please make sure the check lists your name, social security number, and the term (summer, fall or spring) to which the funds should be applied.
Q: How does an outside scholarship affect my financial assistance award?
A: Outside cholarships can affect your overall award. Depending on you FAFSA results, an outside scholarship could reduce your loan eligibility or change your Subsidized Stafford loan to an unsubsidized. Check with the OFA if you have questions.
UIW Academic Scholarships
Q: How do I apply for an Academic Scholarship?
A: Academic scholarships are awarded b the Office of Admissions at the time a student is admitted to the university. For more information contact the Office of Admissions at 210-829-6005.
Q: If I lost my academic but raise my GPA again, will my academic be reinstated?
A: No. Once your GPA falls below a 3.0 cum GPA your academic scholarship will be removed permanently. You can still apply for outside scholarships.
Disbursements & Refunds
Q: When will my funds be applied to my account?
A: If you have completed all the required documents for OFA (which may include, FAFSA, Student Information Form, Verification Forms, Master Promissory Note, Parent PLUS, or Other Loan Options) prior to the first week of school, your funds will be disbursed within the first week of school.
Q: How does the refund process work?
Students that have paid the tuition, fees and other charges associated with semester and have an excess of funds may be eligible for a refund. The Business office will issue the extra “living expense” money to eligible students after the 100% drop date and within 14 days after all of your financial aid comes in and covers your entire balance. You may contact the Business Office at 210-829-6043.
Please notify the Office of Financial if you decide to add, drop, or change courses to ensure that your courses are paid for with your financial aid!
Bookstore Credit
Q: What is Bookstore Credit?
A: Bookstore credit is awarded only to those students who will have an excess in guaranteed financial aid monies after their entire balance is paid in full. The remaining amount will be placed on your account and you will be able to purchase books at the University Bookstore by using your student ID card. If you are eligible to receive bookstore credit you can contact the OFA or the Business office so that we can apply the funds to your account. You may also email your request, be sure to include your name, ID, and amount requested.
UIW Laptop Requirements
Q:Will I need a laptop?
A:Students are required to have a laptop, however they are not required to purchase through the university. Students that do not already have a laptop and want to participate in the laptop program at UIW will have a one-time charge of $1500 for their laptop purchase. This charge will be added to their UIW bill and may be covered with loan assistance. For more information, refer to the Laptop Program Guidelines.
Nursing Students
Q: When am I eligible to apply for the nursing loans and scholarships?
A: Once you have been formally admitted to the nursing program you may apply for the nursing loans and scholarships. Outside scholarship opportunities are also available. Check the Nursing web site for additional information.
Pharmacy Students
Q:Is financial aid available for students enrolled in the Pharmacy Program?
A:Yes. Financial assistance is available to students enrolling in master's and doctoral students. (Read more. ).
