Contact Us/Virtual Counseling

Please submit an inquiry through the UIW Help Desk ticketing system at https://help.uiw.edu/support/catalog/items?category_id=17000205986 or through the Help Desk app in Cardinal Apps, under "Request a Service."

Students and families should use the “General Inquiries” option.

The UIW Employees option is for inquiries from UIW faculty and staff, including the submission of lists for processing (e.g. work-study agreement requests, scholarship lists, etc.)

Utilization of this system will allow for greater responsiveness, tracking, and management of our inquiry volume, and minimize the concern of requests being misrouted or overlooked.

Please allow a minimum of 7-10 business days for processing of all requests. We thank you for your support as we work to continue improving our service!

Contact a financial aid advisor by phone (210) 829-6008 or by email (finaid@uiwtx.edu).

For immediate service, contact a financial aid advisor by phone (210) 829-6008, email (finaid@uiwtx.edu) or visit our office (no appointment necessary). Zoom appointments are available and can be scheduled by clicking the button below.

Schedule an Appointment

Once you have selected a date and time, a financial aid advisor will review your request and send you a confirmation email.

You can check for missing requirements anytime through your BannerWeb account!

Once you have logged in to BannerWeb:

• Select the Financial Aid tab
• Select View Your Missing Documents and select the aid year (e.g., Sum 2023/Fall 2023/Spring 2024)
• Access and finish Incomplete Requirements and/or view Completed Requirements
• Forms may also be securely uploaded here

Securely upload forms to the Office of Financial Assistance.

You can view your most up-to-date awards anytime through your BannerWeb account

Once you have logged in to BannerWeb:

• Select the Financial Aid tab
• Select View Your Award by Aid Year and select the aid year (e.g., Sum 2023/Fall 2023/Spring 2024)
• Select Award Overview

We encourage you to seek additional scholarships to finance your education through community organizations and foundations or accessing our scholarship opportunities page.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more useful information.

To view your bill, log in to Cardinal Apps and select the ePayment Center app. Visit the "Your e-Bills" section to view your published invoice, or click on the "Current Tuition Bill/Class Schedule" link to view a dynamic itemized bill. Visit the Business Office site for more information.

View an example of your bill (pdf).

You may opt out of the school-sponsored insurance, if you have comparable health insurance, by submitting the annual insurance waiver. Contact the Business Office to verify completion.

Your financial aid may not be showing on your invoice due to one of the following reasons:

• You are missing documents to complete your financial aid file.
  Check for missing requirements anytime through your BannerWeb account.
• Your enrollment may be less than what is required for certain aid.
  Check your registration and determine if your enrollment is correct. If so, contact the Office of Financial Assistance to review your enrollment versus your aid. If your enrollment is incorrect, your aid may automatically adjust once you add your course(s).

• Apply for External Scholarships
  Visit our list of current scholarship opportunities.
• Apply for an On-Campus Job
  If you were awarded the option for Federal Work-Study, you can apply for a work-study position. Otherwise, you may be hired by a department through student employment using university funds. Job postings are available on Cardinal Talent.
• Monthly Payment Plan
  You can enroll in a payment plan through the ePayment Center. Contact the Business Office for more information.
• Federal Student Loans
  You may borrow Federal Student Loans (Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized) to assist with your costs. Visit the Loan Assistance page for more information
• PLUS Loan (Parent/Graduate)
  Parents of dependent undergraduate students may apply for a Parent PLUS Loan and Graduate/Professional students may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan online at studentaid.gov.
• Private Loan Options
  You may apply for a private or state loan; however, you may be required to have a credit-worthy co-signer. Find a list of private loan options.
• Veteran Education Benefits
  Contact the UIW Military and Veteran Center for more information.
• Military Discounts
  Qualified military students and dependents may be eligible for tuition discounts. Contact the Business Office for more information.
• College Savings Plan
  Submit payment to the Business Office each semester after charges have been verified.

If your financial aid exceeds your bill, you will receive a refund after the 100% drop date to use for other educational expenses.

If you have borrowed loans, you may request to reduce your loan amounts rather than receive a refund if excess funds are not necessary. To reduce a loan, submit the Loan Change Request.

You can accept or decline your student loan(s) online through your BannerWeb account.

Once you have logged in to BannerWeb:

• Select the Financial Aid tab in UIW BannerWeb
• Select View Your Award by Aid Year and select the aid year (e.g., Sum 2023/Fall 2023/Spring 2024)
• Select Accept Award Offer
• Indicate if you plan to accept or decline your loan offer(s) and submit your decision
• Guide to Accepting Student Loans via BannerWeb (pdf)

If you decide to accept your Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized), you will also need to complete the following requirements online at studentaid.gov:

• Complete Loan Entrance Counseling
• Complete Master Promissory Note
• Guide to Completing Student Loan Requirements (Undergraduate Students) (Graduate Students)

To adjust your student loan offers after you have submitted your decision via BannerWeb, submit the Loan Change Request.

Parents of dependent students may apply for the Parent PLUS Loan online (recommended) or by paper application (pdf).

Parent PLUS Loan Instructions for Online Application:

• Your parent will log in at studentaid.gov/ using their FSA ID
• Click on the Loans and Grants drop-down
• Choose PLUS Loans: Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS and select borrower type "I am a Parent of a Student"
• Enter required information and submit – your parent will instantly be given a credit decision.
• If approved, your parent will need to complete the Parent PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), if they have not done so already.
• UIW will receive the results electronically and process the loan as indicated in the application.

Graduate/Professional students may apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan online. Undergraduate students are not eligible to apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan, but may be eligible to have a parent apply for the Parent PLUS Loan.

Graduate PLUS Loan Instructions for Online Application:

• Log in at studentaid.gov/ using your FSA ID
• Click on the Loans and Grants drop-down
• Choose PLUS Loans: Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS and select borrower type "I am a Graduate or Professional Student"
• Enter required information and submit – you will instantly be given a credit decision.
• If approved, you will need to complete the Graduate PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), if you have not done so already.
• UIW will receive the results electronically and process the loan as indicated in the application