Navigate Your Financial Aid with Confidence

YOUR GUIDE TO UNDERGRADUATE resources

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. We are here to give you the tools and guidance you need to understand your options and make smart choices. From breaking down costs to walking you through the FAFSA, our step-by-step resources simplify the process so you can focus on your future — not the paperwork.

💡 Tip: Use the quick guide below to find what you need — no endless clicking or guesswork required. For more in-depth information, refer to the navigation menu and check out each section listed under the heading. 

⬇️ start here ⬇️ 

📝 1. APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Take the first step toward paying for college. 

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens the door to financial assistance from federal, state, and institutional programs. Explore our resources to get started.

📚 HOW FAFSA CAN HELP YOU & THE STEPS TO APPLY:

Learn about key dates, deadlines, and essential details like who counts as a contributor, how to create FSA accounts, and the importance of giving consent for tax data sharing. Plus, find tools to help estimate your potential aid.

❓tackle FAFSA QUESTIONS THAT MAY CONFUSE YOU:

Learn what makes you dependent or independent on the FAFSA and get clarity on other questions like—what grade level and degree type you should select or how to accurately report income, assets, and grants & scholarships.

💭 UNDERSTAND VERIFICATION & WHY YOU WERE SELECTED:

Some students and contributors must submit additional info to verify data on your FAFSA. Learn what documents may be requested if your application is selected by Federal Student Aid (FSA) for verification.

📅 FAFSA completion deadlines:

Complete your FAFSA by these dates to maximize your opportunities for aid and ensure funding. 

🚨 Priority Deadline—March 15: Schools often list a priority deadline to have your FAFSA completed by so that they can send you a Financial Aid Offer—allowing you to be better prepared for College Commitment Day, or National Decision Day.
🏛️ PA State Grant Deadline—May 1: Pennsylvania residents, get your FAFSA done before this date. You will still have time to create a GrantUs account or complete any forms requested by PHEAA after.
⏳ Final Deadline—Before the end of the academic year: Forgot to file but need financial aid? You can still apply— typically no later than the last date you attended/plan to attend.

🔓 access Your Step-by-Step Financial Aid Guide:

📗 New Student FA Guide: For first-time college students.
📘 Transfer Student FA Guide: For students who have received college credit and are transferring to MU. 
📕 Returning Student FA Guide: For current or returning students who already completed a semester at MU.
💭 Know what to expect—Timelines & Processes:

Whether you are a prospective, newly confirmed, or returning student, it's important to understand the complete financial aid lifecycle.

From FAFSA— to Aid Offer— to Payment:

🔎 Identify where you are in the process
⏳ Know what to expect next and what to watch out for
📞 Recognize when it’s just a timing issue and when it’s time to reach out to OFA for assistance
🎯 Stay on track with financial aid requirements and billing processes based on your student type.

🧮 2. Estimate your College Costs

Understand what college will cost—what you'll pay directly to the school and other expenses you might incur. 

Planning ahead is essential to paying for college and avoiding financial surprises. 

💭 Understand the Cost of Attendance (COA):
It's not what you owe! Understanding your financial aid starts with knowing how college costs are calculated. Learn how direct charges and indirect expenses add up to shape your college budget.
➕ Calculate Your Estimated Charges:
Your actual expenses depend on factors like tuition, housing, and personal costs. Whether you are enrolled in an undergraduate program that meets face-to-face or enrolled in a fully online program, check out current rates to help you plan.

🛠️ Planning Tools:   

🗂️ Create Your College Plan: A little planning goes a long way! Consider potential cost increases now, so you and your family can better prepare for the financial commitments of earning your degree.

📊 Net Price Calculator (NPC): Estimate your costs and aid for the upcoming year based on your personal situation.

💡 Pro Tip: The COA estimates total expenses per year, but your bill will only include direct charges like tuition, fees, and housing (if you live on campus).

🔍 3. Explore Your Financial Aid Options

Discover the types of aid available to students. 

Federal and State aid eligibility is based on your FAFSA—whereas scholarships can be based on achievements, merit, or the FAFSA.

🏆 Scholarships: Merit- or need-based awards you don't have to repay.
💵 Grants: Need-based assistance from federal, state, and institutional sources.
🏦 Loans: Borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest.
⚙️ Work-Study:  Earn money while building professional experience.
🎖️ Veteran Benefits: Support for military-connected students.

💡 Pro Tip: Apply for aid as early as possible to increase your chances of securing funds like scholarships and grants!

🧠 4. Learn what makes you eligible for aid & how to keep it

See what factors determine your eligibility for aid.

Federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility is primarily determined by the FAFSA, along with factors like enrollment status, degree type, and whether your courses count toward your program of study. Additionally, you have to meet certain criteria each year to keep receiving aid.

✅ UNDERSTAND GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Learn about general requirements like having a high school diploma or equivalent, meeting citizenship requirements, and how FAFSA determines your eligibility for aid.

📊 FAFSA Data: Your income, assets, and household size help calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI), which determines financial need and eligibility for subsidized loans. This data is also used to assess Pell Grant eligibility based on state poverty guidelines and to determine state grant awards.

📈 Enrollment Data: The number of credits you take affects your aid. Dropping below full-time or half-time status may reduce eligibility for certain programs. Most loans require at least half-time enrollment, while grants and scholarships often decrease with fewer credits. Admissions merit awards typically require full-time status each semester.

⚙️ learn how to maintain your eligibility:

To keep receiving aid, you are responsible for staying eligible each semester and from year to year. Some Key Factors that affect your eligibility are:

🧩 Course Program of Study (CPOS): You’ll only receive aid for courses that apply to your program and appear on your degree audit.

🔄 Enrollment Changes: Adding or dropping courses after the semester begins can also affect your current and future aid.

🎓 Academic Progress: Stay on track to graduate by meeting GPA, course completion, and time-frame requirements each year.

🛑 Leaving 无忧短视频: Withdrawing or taking a leave of absence before the semester ends may reduce your aid. It can also affect your Academic Progress. Be sure to check how it could affect your financial and academic plans.

💡 Pro Tip: Eligibility can change yearly — check your status regularly.

🎯 5. Review your Aid & how it applies to your bill

Learn about your specific financial aid offer, your next steps, and how to use it toward your bill.

Once 无忧短视频 receives your FAFSA and processes it, you’ll receive an electronic Financial Aid Offer that breaks down the types and amounts of aid that you’re eligible for. 

🔎 REVIEWING YOUR AID OFFER:

无忧短视频's financial aid offer gives you a clear breakdown of your estimated costs and your balance—both before and after loans. To make things even easier, we include calculated estimates for additional payment and financing options. No need to guess—we’re here to help you plan.

🎬  Watch this short video that walks you through navigating your aid offer and awards.

🧾 Financial Aid and Billing: Get an overview of how they work together.

🔔 Billing Due Dates: Know when to expect them and set reminders for when they are due. 

🎓 How Financial Aid Applies to Your Costs:

Use your aid offer or check your MAX account to estimate costs.

  • Your aid offer shows estimated direct charges minus aid.
  • Once you are a 无忧短视频 student, your MAX account lists direct charges and indirect expenses.
💡 Pro-tip: Indirect expenses aren't included in what you are billed.

To cover your MU bill, focus on tuition, fees, and, if living on campus, housing & food (meal plan).

➖ Subtract total aid from direct charges like tuition, fees, and on-campus housing & meals (if applicable).
⚖️ Assess your remaining costs to plan effectively for each year.
🔎 Research at the additional payment options provided to you!
💡 Pro-tip: Your aid offer does this for you!

💲6. Cover Remaining Costs

Find ways to cover any remaining costs. 

Sometimes, financial aid doesn’t cover your entire bill. If that’s the case, you may need to look into alternative payment or financing options.

💳 Payment Plans: Divide tuition and fees into smaller, manageable payments each semester. Sign up early to maximize the number of payments! Typically available through the Office of Student Accounts 2 months before the semester begins and before you receive your bill. 
👨‍👩‍👧 Parent PLUS Loans: A fixed-interest federal loan—in the parent's name but for their dependent student's education. Approval typically occurs if the parent does not have adverse credit reported to collections within the past year. Repayment is deferred until after graduation. If denied, the student may receive additional unsubsidized loan eligibility.
🏦 Private Loans: Alternative loans from private lenders—offer fixed and variable rate loans for students and parents. Approval is subject to a credit application. A co-signer is typically required for student applicants. Compare enrollment criteria and repayment terms carefully.
🎓 External Scholarships: Explore scholarship opportunities from external organizations.

💡 Pro Tip: Filing the FAFSA guarantees you Federal Direct Student Loans, no credit check required! Use federal student loans first—they have lower, fixed interest rates and more flexible repayment options.

💰These low-interest loans are part of your aid offer, with amounts based on your grade level and eligibility.
💲 If you qualify for a subsidized loan, the government covers the interest while you're in school.
✔️ Accept federal loans in MAX first before considering PLUS or private loans!

✅ 7. Complete Requirements & Ensure Your Bill is Covered

Don’t let incomplete paperwork delay your aid. 

Your financial aid will only be applied once all required steps are complete. Check off these items to avoid any delays:

🔍 Check Your Aid Status: See if you have incomplete tasks—these can prevent your aid from paying.
🎯 Take Action on Aid Offer: Grants and scholarships automatically get applied to your account, but you need to accept your offered federal loans to have them cover charges. Federal loans are recommended before looking into other loan options.
📑Accept the Terms & Conditions of Your Awards: Read your rights and responsibilities—acknowledge your understanding and the different reasons financial aid may you aid may change.
🧩  Ensures you understand your rights, responsibilities, and the terms of borrowing before you receive your loan funds—required for first-time federal loan borrowers.
✍️  Your agreement to repay your federal student loans—required for first-time federal loan borrowers.🧾Understand Your Bill: See how charges, payments, and financial aid apply to your student account.
💡 Pro Tip: Aid won't credit or disburse (pay) until all requirements are complete, so review your status regularly!

🚨 8. Special Circumstances—FAFSA re-evaluation request

Life can bring unexpected changes. 

If your family has experienced a significant financial change, we may be able to re-evaluate the information on your FAFSA and your federal aid eligibility. Common situations that qualify include:

💼 Loss of Income: Job loss, reduced work hours, or other income reductions.
⚕️High Medical Expenses: Significant, non-reimbursed medical costs.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Changes: Divorce, separation, or the death of an immediate family member.
💰 Pension/Retirement Withdrawals: One-time withdrawals used to cover expenses.

The Office of Financial Aid can review your account to see if adjustments to your FAFSA information are possible. Changes to your FAFSA could impact your Student Aid Index (SAI), which helps determine the types of aid you qualify for.

💡 What It Means: If your SAI is recalculated based on the documentation you provide, a lower SAI may increase your eligibility for additional aid.📑 Next Steps: Once you're a confirmed 无忧短视频 student, you can submit a Special Circumstance—Re-evaluation Request. 
⚠️ Important Disclaimers:
✔️ Admissions Decision—you must be a confirmed 无忧短视频 student to start this process.
📉 Additional funding isn’t guaranteed—eligibility depends on your updated SAI.
🚫 If your SAI is 0 or less—you already receive the maximum federal aid. Contact us to discus your options.
💰 If you do qualify for more aid, it may not fully cover your remaining charges—especially if you live on campus in the residence halls.
💡 Pro Tip: Documentation is required for all requests. If you're unsure what to submit, reach out—we’re here to help!

🛠️ 9. Additional Resources

📝 Forms & Documents: Access key financial aid paperwork.
📽️ Video Tutorials: Quick explanations for common questions.
📋 Financial Aid Checklists: Step-by-step guides for each aid stage.
❓ FAQs: Answers to common concerns.
📅  Meet with a financial aid counselor. 

💡Ready to Take the Next Step?

The sooner you apply, the better your chances at maximizing aid. 

contact us


Can’t call during business hours? Connect with a Financial Aid Representative during our extended phone hours.

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

📧 EMAIL US 

Prefer email? Reach out when it’s convenient for you, and a representative will respond during business hours.

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

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Need help with your FAFSA or have questions about financial aid? Schedule a one-on-one meeting with a counselor at a time that works for you!

Options: In-person, Phone, or Virtual.

📍 Stop By

Have a quick question or form to drop off? Our Front Office can assist you or use our computer lab for the FAFSA, your financial aid requirements, and more.

Location: 2nd floor, Lyle Hall

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🧩 Our mission is to make financial aid less complicated — so you can focus on your education.