Student Data Information

The Student Data section of your award notice outlines important student status information used to determine your financial aid eligibility at U-M.  If any of the information listed is incorrect, contact the Office of Financial Aid (OFA).  Also, contact the appropriate office to correct the information.

• Residency.  Your residency classification is determined when you are admitted to the university.  If you have questions about your residency status, contact the Office of the Registrar at (734) 764-6280, or see the Registrar's website.
• Grade Level and Career Designation.  Grade level and career (U-M school or college) status are based on information from the Office of the Registrar.  Contact the Registrar's Office if you have questions about your status. 
  
• Enrollment.  Your enrollment level is assumed to be full-time. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive aid. If you enroll less than full-time but at least half-time, all aid disbursed to you (except Direct Loans) will be reduced based on your level of enrollment. OFA will monitor your enrollment level throughout your award period. Changes to your enrollment may result in reduction or cancellation of previously offered aid, even after funds have been disbursed to you!

Reapplying for Aid

TO APPLY FOR 2010-2011 FALL/WINTER AID

1. Application Forms

• In mid-January 2010 or earlier, the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) will notify (by email) students who applied for aid in 2008-2009 how to apply for aid in 2010-2011.  If you do not receive information by late January 2010, contact OFA.
• You should also receive an email message from the
  U.S. Department of Education explaining how to complete the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Submit your FAFSA to the federal processor by March 1, 2010, to ensure that you will be considered for all aid programs and to allow enough time for the processor to generate and send the resulting record to OFA by the priority filing date (see step 2 below).
• Entering freshmen must also complete a 2010-2011 CSS Financial Aid PROFILE application (available online in October 2009) in order to be considered for university need-based grants and scholarships.
• Any additional document requirements will be explained in the instructions sent to you by OFA.

2. Priority Deadline. To be considered for all the aid for which you are eligible, all application documents for 2010-2011 must be on file with OFA by April 30, 2010.

3. Continuing Eligibility for Aid. Generally, you will receive similar financial aid packages throughout your undergraduate years, IF the following remain true:

• Your family's financial circumstances, number of family members, and number of siblings enrolled in college remain the same;
• The federal aid programs and regulations remain the same;
  Federal, state, and institutional funding for aid programs is not reduced;
• You submit the appropriate application materials by the required deadlines;  
• You provide accurate information (income, assets, etc.) on all application materials; and
• You maintain satisfactory academic progress.

4. Aid from Other Sources.  If you received aid from sources other than OFA, such as departmental awards or private scholarships, it is your responsibility to know the application requirements and deadlines for those aid programs and to reapply for the funds. For reapplication procedures, contact the source or organization that awarded the funds to you.

TO APPLY FOR 2010 SPRING/SUMMER AID

A separate application for financial aid for the Spring/Summer term is required. This application will be available in late January 2010 and is due to OFA by early March. You do not need to submit another 2010-2011 FAFSA to apply for Spring/Summer 2010 aid. 

STUDY ABROAD

If you will be enrolled in a U-M-sponsored study abroad program, you may apply for financial aid (and be considered for all aid programs except Work-Study) through OFA. Depending upon the cost of the study abroad program, we may or may not be able to meet your full demonstrated financial need to attend. If you will be participating in a study abroad program during Fall/Winter, follow the directions above for applying for Fall/Winter aid (note that continuing students must complete an Applicant Data Form if studying abroad). If you will be participating in a Spring/Summer study abroad program, follow the directions above for applying for Spring/Summer aid. If you will participate in a study abroad program sponsored by another institution or agency, you must contact our office as soon as possible. Contact the U-M Office of International Programs (734-764-4311) about eligible study abroad programs.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Request for Reevaluation of Aid Eligibility

The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) recognizes that some students and their families experience special circumstances that affect their ability to pay college costs. Contact OFA immediately when family financial circumstances change. Our ability to provide additional assistance will be determined by when you inform us of the change and provide documentation and whether funds are available at the time you contact us.

Circumstances that will be considered include the following:

1. Loss of income (wages, benefits, etc.) because of unemployment or change in health or marital status

2. High unreimbursed medical and/or dental expenses

3. Unreimbursed elementary or secondary private school tuition for children with special needs

4. Business loss due to bankruptcy, foreclosure, or natural disaster

5. High cost of attendance because of circumstances such as higher than usual book or supply expenses or child care costs (Note that cost of attendance can only be adjusted for child care expenses if the student is [1] single and provides at least 51% of the child's support; [2] married, with a spouse/partner who is employed at least 20 hours per week; or [3] married, with a spouse/partner who is also a student.)

 

How Much Will I Need to Pay or Borrow?

Use your budget from the worksheet above and the award amounts from your award notice to complete this worksheet. This will help you to see what you and your family will need to pay or borrow to cover your college costs.

Worksheet: How Much Will I Need to Pay or Borrow?
Estimated Cost of Attendance (from worksheet above)	=                  *
Awards Listed on Your Award Notice That Are Not Loans Grants: Scholarships: Other (veterans' benefits, etc.):	- - -
Balance of Estimated Expenses That Need to Be Paid	=
Need-Based Loans Offered on Your Award Notice (These loans that have no interest charges while you are in school). Perkins, Nursing, or Health Professions Loans: Subsidized Federal Direct Loan:	-                   * -                   *
The Bottom Line (What You and Your Family Will Need to Pay)	=
Amount You/Your Family Can Contribute: Parents: Student (from savings/earnings): Work-Study Award (see award notice): Other (gifts, etc.):	- - - -
Need for Unsubsidized Federal Loan, PLUS Loan or Grad PLUS Loan, or Private Educational Loan (These loans accrue interest while you are in school, thus increasing either your current expenses or your debt after graduation; note that you must apply separately for the PLUS Loan, Grad PLUS Loan, and private educational loans.)	=                  *

* Add these figures to reveal your total educational loan debt for this year. Consider what this amount will be for all the years you are in college. Remember: What you borrow today you will have to pay back (with interest) after you graduate.