Student Financial Aid and Scholarships :: University of North Texas
FAFSA applications for 2006-2007 will be available online beginning January 2, 2006. Complete your 2006-2007 FAFSA by the priority deadline of April 15, 2006.
Tips for completing the FAFSA
When filling out the FAFSA, don't forget to:
- Provide your correct Social Security number
- Refer to your completed federal income tax return for specific income information
- Complete the income and asset information. Do not leave it blank. For questions regarding income, if the answer is zero or if the question does not apply to you, enter 0.
- List UNT's Title IV Federal School Code - 003594
- Indicate your housing choice
- Select your preferred method of signing the form when completing the FAFSA on the web. Signatures can be provided on the printed signature page or they may be submitted electronically using a PIN you apply for online at www.pin.ed.gov.
- Keep copies of all documents and correspondence
- Access my.unt.edu frequently to check your "My To Do List" for outstanding items
Financial Aid Overview
Financing your college education will require budgeting and careful planning for you and perhaps for your parents. Although college costs are kept low at the University of North Texas because of state assistance, many students still need help financing their education.
Financial aid makes it possible for thousands of students to attend UNT. The Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office annually awards $190 million in financial aid, including $15.8 million in scholarships. About 65 percent of the students at UNT receive financial aid and scholarships. 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 to understand the step-by-step process. This web site 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.
Am I eligible to apply for financial aid?
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:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Have a high school diploma or a GED (general equivalency diploma)
- Be accepted for admission by the university and enrolled in a degree or certification program
- Not be in default on any Title IV loan (Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan) or owe a refund or repayment on educational funds received at any institution
- Be registered with the Selective Service, if required
- Enroll in and maintain at least a half-time class load at UNT and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress
How and when do I apply?
Apply early! The FAFSA is available each January for the upcoming academic year. Completing the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov is recommended. Filing online can reduce the potential for mistakes and the processing time by about two weeks. Processing the paper application requires six to eight weeks.
Current and prospective UNT students may use the computer lab at Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to access the FAFSA web site from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To receive first consideration for awards, submit your FAFSA to the Department of Education's federal processor by the following priority dates:
- Fall/spring: April 15
- Spring only: Aug. 15
- Summer: Feb. 15*
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 the summer application for financial aid, which will be available in early spring at my.unt.edu. Contact Student Financial Aid and Scholarships for the summer application deadline.
When I complete a FAFSA, will I be applying for scholarships?
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. Or, access www.unt.edu/finaid/scholarships.htm.
What types of financial aid are available?
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 the Career Center at (940) 565-2105.
How is financial need determined?
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 an independent student. Financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) and the EFC. Each university determines its own COA, which includes average cost of tuition and books, room and board, and personal and travel expenses. If your COA is $16,380 and your EFC is $5,000, the financial need would be $11,380.
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 COA. Your eligibility for need-based aid ($11,380 in the example) is not a guarantee that you will receive that amount.
Beginning Fall 2007 to help you graduate faster and start earning sooner, UNT is charging all full-time* undergraduate students about the same rate for university tuition and fees regardless of how many hours you take. Read the details at www.unt.edu/tuition.
* Enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours
When will I know?
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 as well as post any outstanding items on "My To Do List." 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. You may access your financial aid information using My Financial Aid online at my.unt.edu.
What additional information should I be aware of?
Please review our helpful hints on the Information You Need to Know page. This page contains answers to many different questions and situations you may encounter while applying for Financial Aid.
Will my financial aid automatically be renewed each year?
No. 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 year at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Where is the financial aid office?
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.
May I talk to a financial aid counselor?
Yes. Students can make inquiries in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Inquiries can also be made by calling (940) 565-2302 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The process is complicated and every question is valid, so don't hesitate to call or visit Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Do I have other options?
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 Emerald Eagle Scholars Program is available to new entering freshmen whose family's adjusted gross income does not exceed $40,000. The program encourages academic success and timely completion of a bachelor's degree. For eligibility and enrollment requirements, visit www.unt.edu/emeraldscholars.
The Student Money Management Center offers the Allan Saxe NT Green Loan and the Memorial Loan. These loans can help meet the need for emergency funds. For more information on these loans, visit the center in Chestnut Hall, Room 313, or call (940) 369-7761.
The center also sponsors financial workshops and clinics and provides confidential personalized money management consultations to students.
Veterans who are receiving GI Bill educational benefits can contact UNT's Veteran's Program office at (940) 565-2111.