Financial Aid

The primary purpose of student financial aid is to provide assistance to students who otherwise would be unable to pursue their education. The basic philosophy of student financial aid is that the primary responsibility lies with the parents (of dependent students) and the student to pay for higher education expenses, to the extent they are able, as determined by the federal methodology.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA. The FAFSA is available online at:http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Using the on-line form is easy and also helps you to avoid making common errors. Students are encouraged to utilize this method.

Application for all need-based financial aid programs begins with submission of the FAFSA. UConn uses only the FAFSA for the awarding of federal, state, and University funds.

Submit your FAFSA early enough after January 1 so that your FAFSA is processed at the federal processor by the deadline of March 1. Applications not received and logged in by March 1 will be considered late. Do not wait for final income tax figures. Use estimated figures if necessary to ensure “on-time” application status. If requested, be prepared to send copies of federal tax returns for yourself and your parents to the UConn Office of Student Financial Aid Services.

Read the instructions carefully and answer all the questions. List 001417 under "Federal school code," and the University of Connecticut under "Name of college." In the "College street address and city" space, list Storrs. Indicate CT in the "State" space.

If you have a question about an item on your FAFSA or for more information about eligibility requirements, please call the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243.

Award Notification

The Office of Student Financial Aid Services e-mails students directing them to access the PeopleSoft Student Administration System. Students will access the Finances link within the PeopleSoft Student Administration System to complete the following tasks:

Review and/or complete required documentation

Review and/or update student status

Accept or decline financial aid awards

Report outside awards

Review changes to Financial Aid awards

Pick a Federal Stafford Loan lender

Complete required loan documents

Verification

Verification is the federal process which requires the comparison of data reported on the FAFSA with income tax returns and other requested documents. The Office of Student Financial Aid Services will notify you if you have been selected to submit income documentation. Students/families are encouraged to fax documents to (860) 486-6629.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Guidelines

SAP is the University policy based on federal regulations which requires that all aid applicants maintain a designated grade point average (GPA) and satisfactorily complete a percentage of the number of credit hours attempted in each award year. A complete text of this policy is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid Services website at http://www.financialaid.uconn.edu

For More Information

An excellent, detailed source of information regarding federal aid programs and the financial aid process is The Student Guide, available at the University of Connecticut Office of Student Financial Aid Services, 233 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4116, Wilbur Cross Building, Storrs, CT 06269-4116, (860) 486-2819. If you have access to the Internet, please visit our web site at:  http://www.financialaid.uconn.edu or the U.S. Department of Education at: http://www.ed.gov/

An additional brochure, Student Financial Aid Information Guide , which contains pertinent information specific to UConn's financial aid programs, is also available online at www.financialaid.uconn.edu.

If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the office. A Client Services staff member will assist you.

Information regarding the types of financial aid available can be found at www.financialaid.uconn.edu. All aid applicants are encouraged to review the information posted on our website.