Frequently Asked Questions

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Financial Aid 101 | Scholarship | Loan | Grant | Parent |
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Financial Aid 101 FAQs

How do I apply for financial aid?  

You can apply for financial aid online by completing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Add FAU’s school code (001481).

How to create an FSA ID?  

The FSA ID ― a username and password ― must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Whether you’re a student, parent, or borrower, you’ll need to create your own account to apply for, receive, and manage your federal student aid. You can create an account here https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

What is a "Cost of Attendance"  

Per Federal regulations, every student is assigned a cost of attendance, also known as a budget. You can think of your cost of attendance as the upper limit of the maximum amount of financial aid (including grants, scholarships and federal and private loans) that you may receive for the year. We are unable to disburse or certify any financial aid which exceeds a student’s cost of attendance. Your cost of attendance is determined by several factors, including your academic classification (undergraduate or graduate student), residency status, housing status, and enrollment status.

If I enroll less than full time, will my financial aid be affected?  

Enrolling less than full time will affect your “cost of attendance”, which may affect your financial aid offer. When you receive your financial aid offer, it will be initially based on a full time enrollment status. After the semester’s drop/add period, we will automatically review your enrollment. If you are enrolled less than full time, your cost of attendance will be reduced. This may result in a reduction of your financial aid eligibility. IMPORTANT: Grants (such as Pell grant) are ALWAYS prorated (reduced) for less than full time enrollment! You must be enrolled in a minimum of half time credits in order to receive financial aid (6 credits for undergraduates, 4.5 credits for graduate students).

Why am I being asked to submit a tax return transcript and my W2’s?  

If the federal processor requests that we verify some portion of your income information, you may be asked to submit a tax return transcript and any W2’s for yourself and your spouse (if married) or parents (if you are a dependent student), including step parent tax information if one of the parents has remarried. These documents should be submitted via OWL FILES.

How soon can I apply? What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?  

The FAFSA usually opens each year October 1 (other than the 2024-2025 FAFSA which opened December 2023). Always complete your FAFSA as early as possible in addition to submitting any requested verification documents (if applicable) as soon as requested to maximize financial aid consideration. Delays in submitting the FAFSA and submitting requested documents can reduce your financial aid offer. However, you can complete your FAFSA at any time during the school year. If eligible, you will receive any aid to which you are entitled - regardless of when you completed your FAFSA.

How can I submit my FAFSA early (before January 1) if I haven’t filed my taxes yet?  

The FAFSA now uses your prior year's tax information.

When I complete my FAFSA, what types of aid am I applying for?  

By completing the FAFSA, you have applied for grants and loans. Please keep in mind that although loans are a type of financial aid, they are still loans and must be repaid. State-funded and some FAU need-based scholarships also require having a FAFSA on file.

Where can I look for available scholarships?  

There are many scholarships available for students, and FAU offers many resources to help you in your search. Scholarship Universe is Florida Atlantic University’s online application and search portal for prospective and continuing FAU students in which students can apply or connect to various internal and external scholarships. Internal scholarships refer to scholarships directly awarded by Florida Atlantic, and external scholarships refer to any scholarships awarded by an outside source.

How will I know how much aid I qualify for?  

After completing your FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary which will contain estimates of your aid eligibility. After you have received your financial aid offer by FAU, an offer notification will be emailed to you via your FAU email account. If you are a First-Time-In-College (FTIC) student, in addition, an email will be sent to the email used on your FAFSA. You will be instructed to log on to "Accept Your Financial Aid Offer".

How can I check on the status of my financial aid?  

For instructions on checking your aid, please go to Check Financial Aid Status. There, you can check to see if you have unsatisfied requirements or if you have submitted documents which have not yet been reviewed. If you have received a financial aid offer, you will see a message stating the amount which you have been offered and instructing you on how to accept your offer. If you have questions, chat with us using Owlsley Chat in the right-hand corner of your screen or call us at 561-297-3530.

I was selected for Verification; what does this mean?  

Per Federal regulations, we are required to verify a portion of financial aid applications. Please be aware that we cannot disburse financial aid until all outstanding verification requirements have been satisfied.

How and when will financial aid pay my tuition and fees?  

Financial aid begins to disburse during the second and third weeks of classes (remember, failure to complete the Mandatory Course Entry Quiz for all classes can delay this process). The aid will automatically apply towards your balance. After your tuition and fees are paid and your balance is zero, any leftover funds will be distributed to you as a “refund” which can take another week or two to receive (depending on if you set up direct deposit or not).

How will I receive my financial aid refund?  

Signing up for direct deposit will expedite receipt of funds for financial aid and all other refunds due from your student account. If direct deposit is not setup, refunds will be issued from Tuition & Billing by mail.

How does my academic progress affect my financial aid?  

In order to receive financial aid, you must meet the criteria for maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Generally, this means you must maintain a 2.0 minimum GPA (3.0 for Graduate students), complete at least 67% of your attempted credits, and not exceed 180 attempted credit hours.

How do I find how much I owe the school? How do I track my balances?  

The financial aid disbursement estimator is designed as a tool to help you determine what you need to pay the University and represents only an ESTIMATE of what financial aid may disburse based on your enrollment and offer status. The Controller’s office handles all student account transactions. For instructions on accessing your account information, please go to Financial Aid and MYFAU.
PLEASE NOTE: Students receive their account statements via their FAU E-mail address ONLY.

The financial aid application asks for information about my parents but I do not receive any support from them. What do I do?  

Federal regulations require your eligibility to be based on your income and that of your parents' unless you meet certain criteria. If you feel that you have exceptional circumstances, your parents are unwilling to provide their information for FAFSA purposes, or for more information on Dependent vs. Independent students, please contact your financial aid counselor.

How can I get information about my financial aid offer?  

You may access your Financial Aid information online. Click here for instructions on how to access this information. You may also email your financial aid counselor or visit the financial aid office in-person (at the Boca Raton, Davie, or Jupiter campus). If you are not the student and are requesting information on a student's account, you will need the student to submit a FERPA form.

My financial aid offer is based on income from two years ago. My income and/or my parents' income has changed. What should I do?  

Speak with your Financial Aid Counselor and you may be able to submit a request for Professional Judgment to our office. After a review, you may be offered additional assistance.

How do I get money for books?  

Financial aid refunds do not begin to disburse until third and fourth weeks of classes; disbursement of aid is a function of the Controller’s office. It is essential that you set aside personal funds to cover expenses incurred during the first few weeks of class. You may request a portion of your financial aid to be distributed to you early - an “advance” on your financial aid - if you meet all eligibility criteria. For more information on the Short Term Advance and other help with books, visit Help Buying Books
NOTE: For students under 18 years of age, please download and submit the Parental Short Term Advance Application to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Can I apply for summer financial aid?  

Yes. However, summer financial aid is typically very limited. We highly recommend that if you receive a financial aid refund in the fall or spring terms and you plan on taking summer courses, you should save a portion of these funds to help pay your summer tuition. If you are PELL Eligible you must register for classes by the 1st Drop/Add Deadline of the Summer.

What if I need to take some or all of my classes at another school?  

As long as you are degree seeking at FAU and the classes will be credited toward your FAU degree, you may be eligible to receive assistance. Contact the FAU Financial Aid Office to see what forms you must complete and for which programs you may qualify.


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Scholarship FAQs

External Scholarships:

Where can I find External Scholarship mailing instructions?  

Please use link for instructions: ex-scholarship-instr-8-3.pdf (fau.edu)

Who should the check be written out to? 

Students should never be listed as payee but can be added to the memo line along with the Z number Make all checks payable to Florida Atlantic University

Where can I send my External Scholarship? 

All External Scholarships should be mailed to the FAU Scholarship Lockbox at:

Florida Atlantic University PO Box 505576 St Louis, MO 63150-5576

What if I already mailed my scholarship to FAU? 

Any scholarship checks mailed directly to FAU will be forwarded to the PO Box address, which may delay processing and payment to the student.

How long will it take for my Scholarship to process? 

Once received in the Lockbox please allow up to 2-3 business days for processing. During peak, please allow up to 3-5 business days.

Does my scholarship have to include a letter? 

Yes, for efficient processing please include a letter that includes the following information.

  • Student’s full name and school ID
  • Donor’s name, address, phone number, and email address
  • Enrollment requirement of scholarship, if applicable (example: full-time enrollment: undergraduate 12 credits, graduate 9 credits half-time would be 6-9 undergraduate, graduate 3 credits)

Is there anyone I can contact for information regarding the external scholarship process? 

If you have any questions, please email Shaveta Dabas or call 561-297-1250.

Custodial Scholarships:

I received an external scholarship. How do I go about posting it to my account?  

The scholarship donor or recipient is responsible to provide a letter to the financial aid office with the student ID number, the amount of offer, conditions and which term(s) the scholarship should be applied to. The scholarship amount will be posted on your financial aid offer summary in your myFAU. Once the Financial Aid Office receives the check from the donor the funds will be deposited in the student’s FAU account.

How do you know if the check has been received?  

When the paper work is received the custodial scholarship is placed on the system as “Offered”, if there is only one scholarship it will go on as EX1SCH. A notation will be posted naming the donor. When the check is received, it will then show as “Accepted”. If there is more than one custodial scholarship, subsequent scholarships will be added, each one using a different fund ID, ex. EX1SCH, EX2SCH.

Under my Financial Aid Offers, I see my scholarship as offered. Why am I not able to accept it?  

Only the Financial Aid Office can accept scholarship on the system. The scholarship will be accepted as soon as the check is received from the donor.

If I am coming in a later term, will you hold my scholarship?  

If the student comes in a different term than originally planned, the check will be returned to the donor. We are not permitted to retain funds beyond the one term. The student will need to contact the donor to make arrangements regarding reissuing the scholarship check.

If my grades drop, or I don’t go full time, will I lose my scholarship, can I get it back?  

We encourage all students to make a copy of the scholarship criteria letter received by thet donor prior to submitting it to the financial aid office. Students may also check with the Financial Aid Scholarship office to verify the scholarship criteria in question.

Departmental/College Scholarships:

Have you received my scholarship from the department yet? 

If it has not been posted to the system, we have not received the scholarship paperwork.

Do I need to be full time to receive my scholarship?  

Departmental and Foundation scholarships have varying criteria, and the student would need to check with their department.

Recruitment Scholarships:

Are there other scholarships available for incoming students?  

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions also offers scholarships for fall and spring terms to incoming students upon being admitted to the university. Students must fill out the Freshman/Transfer Online Application for scholarships by the indicated deadlines prior to their first semester at FAU. Scholarships are offered based on academic merit and financial need. Please visit Undergraduate Admissions's site on how to apply.

Do I need to be full time to receive my scholarship?  

If it is one of the major institutional scholarships, they all require F/T enrollment in order to be paid. TEAA is the only exception and it requires a minimum of 6 credits at FAU. (Exceptions can be made for various circumstances). Any exceptions would require that the student file a scholarship appeal.

General Scholarships:

Will applying to every scholarship increase my chances of being offered scholarships?  

No, you should read each scholarship and only apply to the ones for which you feel you are qualified. Applying to every listed scholarship makes the scholarship committees question your effort and credibility.

May I receive more than one scholarship per academic year?  

Yes, but only apply to those that reflect your qualifications.

If I lose my scholarship, can I get it back?  

The student can file a scholarship Reinstatement/Appeal Form (available under forms), explaining the extenuating circumstances, and attach any documentation to support claim, as well as an unofficial transcript. Allow two weeks for a response.

Can I use my scholarship for the summer term?  

The student would need to complete the scholarship Reinstatement/Appeal form, requesting the scholarship for the summer term, and attach an unofficial transcript. The request would be evaluated, after the spring grades are posted. The student must be in compliance with the scholarship criteria, ie: FAU cumulative GPA and completed credits. Only the following scholarships are available for the summer term:

  • Community College Honors / Phi Theta Kappa (CCHPTK)
  • Community College Scholars / All Florida Academica Team (CCSSCH)
  • Transfer Educational Achievement Award (TEASCH)

Do I need to take all my credits at FAU to use my scholarship?  

YES. Only FAU credits are recognized for FAU Scholarships.

How do Bright Futures and Pre-Paid work together?  

Bright Futures (and any other accepted financial aid you have) will be applied to your FAU balance around 2-3 weeks into the semester.
Florida Pre-paid will be applied around 3-4 weeks into the semester to the remaining balance.
If there is an overage of payment (with the combination of Bright Futures/Financial Aid and Prepaid) you will receive any excess funding in the form of a refund.
If there is still an FAU balance after both Bright Futures and all pending financial aid has paid out, you are responsible for covering the remaining balance by the published deadline. .


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Loan FAQs

How do I apply for a loan?  

To apply for a Direct loan, simply complete your FAFSA. We will offer you the maximum amount of subsidized and/or unsubsidized Direct loans for which you are eligible. To apply for a Parent PLUS loan or a Graduate PLUS loan, visit StudentAid.gov. If you are applying for a private or alternative loan (through a bank), you will need to contact potential lenders on your own - we are not permitted to recommend specific private lenders. ELMSELECT is a private loan search and comparison tool FAU students have successfully used to obtain funding.

How many credits do I have to take to receive a loan?  

You must be enrolled half-time to receive a Direct loan. For undergraduates, this is 6 credit hours. For graduate students, half time is 4.5 credits during FALL & SPRING semesters and 3 credits during the SUMMER semester.

What is the difference between a Direct Subsidized loan and a Direct Unsubsidized loan?  

A Direct Subsidized loan will not accumulate interest until you graduate or drop below half time status; it is considered “subsidized” because the government pays the interest on it while you are in school. A Direct Unsubsidized loan will start to accumulate interest right away. You should always exhaust your subsidized loan availability before accepting an unsubsidized loan.

I was offered a Direct loan; what steps do I need to take for the loan to disburse?  

First, you must accept your offer on your MYFAU. Next, you will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) as well as Entrance Counseling. Both the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and Direct Loan Entrance Counseling requirements may be satisfied online at StudentAid.gov. Entrance Counseling is a tutorial that will explain to you the terms of your loans, such as interest rates and repayment options. Your Master Promissory Note is your guarantee that you will repay your loan.

I accepted a Direct loan but I want to modify the amount, how can I do that?  

You can submit a Direct Loan Revision Request form (found on the Forms page) to request an increase or decrease of your loan.

I accepted my financial aid but it isn’t enough to cover my expenses. Can I increase my loan?  

If you are a dependent student, you can ask your parent to go to StudentAid.gov and apply for a Parent Plus loan. If approved, you will receive additional loan money. If denied, you may submit a Direct Loan Revision Request Form to request additional unsubsidized loan funds.
NOTE: If you are a graduate student, you may go to StudentAid.gov and apply for a Graduate PLUS loan.


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Grant FAQs

I was offered a grant - will I have to repay it?  

A grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. However, under certain circumstances, (if you withdraw from classes, for example), you may be billed back a grant which has already disbursed.

How is grant eligibility determined?  

When you complete your FAFSA, the federal processor determines your eligibility using a number of factors. Basically, your FAFSA calculates whether or not you are eligible for grants. If you are eligible for Pell grant, your FAFSA also determines the amount of funding you receive.

Can I get a Pell grant over the summer?  

You may be able to receive Pell grant funds over the summer if you are eligible and did not use all of the funds you were offered in the fall and spring terms. For details visit Federal Pell Grant Program

I was offered a Pell grant - how many credits do I need to take to get the full amount?  

In order to receive the full amount of Pell grant for which you are eligible, you must be enrolled in 12 credits by the end of the add/drop period. If you enroll in 9 to 11 credits, you will receive 75% of the pell grant for which you are eligible. If you enroll in 6 to 8 credits, you will receive 50% of the pell grant for which you are eligible. With few exceptions, you must be enrolled at least half-time to receive financial aid, including grants. Grants are always prorated based on the number of credits for which you are enrolled at the end of the add/drop period.

I was offered a grant and added a course after the drop/add deadline. Will my grant increase?  

If a student who has been offered a grant adds a class after the drop/add deadline, the grant offer will NOT increase due to late enrollment. The student will receive disbursement for the number of credits enrolled at the end of the drop/add period.

Are there separate applications for different grants (i.e. FSAG Grant, 1st Generation Grant?)  

No - the FAFSA covers all state, institutional, and federal grants. You should complete your FAFSA early (April 1st is the priority deadline), since some grants are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Why didn’t I receive any grants besides the Pell grant?  

The Pell grant is considered an “entitlement” grant - meaning that, if eligible and maintaining all necessary criteria, you will be offered the Pell grant. Other grants (First Generation Grant, FSAG) are not entitlement grants and are very limited. Unfortunately, this means that many students are technically eligible for these additional grants but do not receive them. Some of these grants are distributed on a first come, first served basis - that is why you should be sure to complete your FAFSA as early as possible.


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Parent FAQs

What is the FERPA?  

“FERPA” stands for “Family Education Rights and Privacy Act”. The FERPA is a federal law which is designed to protect the student’s educational records. Per the FERPA, we cannot disclose a student's financial aid information to anyone other than the student - unless he or she has given written permission for us to do so with a FERPA release form , submitted to the Registrar’s Office. The FERPA applies to the student as soon as he or she is admitted to FAU, regardless of age or dependency status.

How can I get information about my child’s financial aid?  

Students can directly access their information by logging into MYFAU. You should encourage your child to monitor this information themselves in order to gain experience with financial aid planning and processing. Before contacting our office directly, keep in mind you may only inquire about your child’s financial aid if he or she has completed a FERPA release form authorizing us to give you such information. You may email your student’s financial aid counselor or call or visit in person at the Boca, Jupiter, or Davie financial aid office. Be sure that you have your child’s z number.

May I initiate revision to my son's/daughter's offer?  

No. Only the student may request changes in type of offer or amount of the offer. College is a setting where students begin to make their own decisions. Therefore, parents are encouraged to let their child understand and experience the many challenges of budgeting, time management, and financial aid processing. We urge the student to contact our office herself with any questions or concerns, in order to build greater involvement and financial literacy.

Our FAFSA is based on the previous year’s tax return, but I’ve recently had a significant change in my household (i.e. job loss or divorce). What can I do?  

Contact your child’s financial aid counselor and explain your situation - you may be eligible to request Professional Judgment. Include your child’s z number in any e-mails and make sure that he or she has submitted a FERPA form.

What is the difference between PLUS loans and Alternative loans?  

PLUS Loans require a completed FAFSA by students, while Alternative Loans do not. Please refer to Financial Aid -PLUS Loan Information and Financial Aid -Alternative Student Loans for more details.

I applied for a Parent PLUS loan and was denied due to my credit - can we still receive additional funds?  

Yes. If you are denied a Parent PLUS loan, your child may submit a Direct Loan Revision Request Form to our office in order to request additional unsubsidized Direct loan funds.

How can my son/daughter qualify for work-study?  

The Federal Work-Study Program is a federally-funded program for eligible students who demonstrate financial need. Students will be required to complete a FAFSA application. For more details please refer to Financial Aid - Student Employment and click on Need Based Employment.

How can we apply for student loans? What types of loans are available?  

First, complete your FAFSA - if eligible, the student will be offered Direct Loans. These are federal loans in the student’s name and are not credit based. If you would like to request additional funds, you can visit StudentAid.gov and request a Parent PLUS loan. This is a credit based loan which is in the Parent’s name. If approved, you may receive additional funds - if you are denied, your child may submit a Direct Loan Revision Request form to request additional Direct Loan funds. You may seek private or alternative loan funding on your own; however, we are not permitted to recommend potential lenders. We recommend that you exhaust your federal loan options before pursuing a private loan.

I applied for a Parent PLUS loan and was denied due to my credit - can we still receive additional funds?  

Yes. If you are denied a Parent PLUS loan, your child may submit a Direct Loan Revision Request Form to our office in order to request additional unsubsidized Direct loan funds.

How can my child apply for different state and federal grants (i.e. Pell grant, FAU grant, FSAG)?  

The FAFSA covers all state, institutional, and federal grants. By completing your FAFSA, you have already applied for them all! You should complete your FAFSA early (before April 1, the priority deadline), since some grants are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Why didn’t my child receive any grants besides the Pell grant?  

The Pell grant is considered an “entitlement” grant - meaning that, if eligible and maintaining all necessary criteria, the student will be offered the Pell grant. Other grants (First Generation Grant, FSAG) are not entitlement grants and are very limited. Unfortunately, this means that many students are technically eligible for these additional grants but do not receive them. Some of these grants are distributed on a first come, first served basis - that is why you should be sure to complete your FAFSA as early as possible.

Where can we look for available scholarships?  

There are many scholarships available for students, and FAU offers many resources to help you in your search. All FAU scholarships are listed in an online searchable database. Many other scholarship are listed on our website scholarship page

What should I do if my child wants to take courses at another institution?  

As long as your son/daughter is degree seeking and enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at FAU, then classes may be credited toward an FAU degree and your son/daughter may be eligible to receive assistance. Students are not eligible to receive financial aid at more than one institution for any one term. Therefore, you must apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA application at the institution where you are degree-seeking, referred to as your home institution. Additional forms are required, refer to Financial Aid Policies - Concurrent Enrollment page.

What happens if my child doesn't perform well in his/her classes?  

Financial aid regulations require that students maintain satisfactory academic progress. Generally, this means that students must maintain a 2.0 GPA (3.0 for graduate students) and successfully complete 67% of their attempted classes. If they do not, they may be placed on probation or denied future assistance. Please refer to Financial Aid Policies/Rules & Regulations -Academic Progress page.

How can my child receive assistance to purchase books and other class materials?  

It is essential that the student set aside personal funds to cover expenses incurred during the first few weeks of class, since financial aid refunds do not begin to disburse until the second and third weeks of classes. Your child may request a portion of her financial aid to be disbursed early - an “advance” on her financial aid - if she meets all eligibility criteria. Funds will be directly deposited into the student’s bank account. FAU Short Term Advance Applications are available between two weeks BEFORE the start of classes until two weeks PRIOR to the end of classes of each semester. Click here for more information about the Short Term Advance.

Why am I getting a statement when I have financial aid that covers all my charges?  

Every student is sent a monthly bill via their FAU email for tuition, fees and other charges. This statement reflects all payments received through the statement date. If you are certain you have financial aid that exceeds your tuition and fees plus any other amounts due to the University, you can disregard this bill. For questions regarding your Billing Statements, please go to the Controller's Office FAQs webpage.

How would I be able to calculate/estimate college cost for my child?  

Internet calculators are available for you to estimate college costs, loan payments, financial aid payment estimations, or graduated student loan repayment. Please refer to our FAU Financial Aid Disbursement Estimator.


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Graduate Students FAQs

What kind of financial aid am I eligible for as a graduate student?  

Graduate students are generally eligible for Unsubsidized Direct Loans. For graduate students, Unsubsidized Direct Loans have an annual limit of $20,500. To apply, visit FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and add FAU’s school code (001481).

Graduate students may also be eligible for FAU Graduate Grant. These funds are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to complete your FAFSA early (prior to our April 1st priority deadline).

Additionally, graduate students may be eligible for tuition waivers, federal work study, scholarships, and fellowships.

Are there any grants available for graduate students?  

Graduate students are not eligible for federal (Pell) and state grants. There is institutional grant money available (FAU Graduate Grant) – however, this funding is extremely limited. To be considered, you must demonstrate financial need and complete your FAFSA early (before April 1, the priority deadline).

Where can I learn about the terms (i.e. interest rates) of the Direct Unsubsidized Loan?  

Before your Direct Unsubsidized Loan can disburse, you must visit StudentAid.gov and complete Entrance Counseling. This is an online tutorial which will explain in detail the terms of the loan (such as interest rates and repayment options).
Click here for additional information including interest rates, borrowing limits, and how and when your loan will be repaid.

How can I receive additional loan funding?  

If you have been offered a Direct Unsubsidized Loan from FAFSA but would like additional loan funding, you may apply for a Graduate PLUS loan at StudentAid.gov. This is a credit-based federal loan. You may also pursue a private or alternative loan through a bank – however, we are unable to recommend specific lending institutions.

How many credits do I need to take to receive financial aid as a graduate student?  

To receive financial aid as a graduate student, you must be enrolled at least half time (4.5 credits or 3 credits for summer). If you are enrolled less than full time (9 credits), however, your financial aid eligibility may be reduced.

How will a tuition waiver affect my financial aid?  

Receiving a tuition waiver, employer reimbursement, or other financial resource may reduce your financial aid eligibility.All students must notify the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) immediately if they receive or anticipate receiving a tuition waiver, as these resources must be considered a part of a student’s financial aid package. To report outside offers, complete the Student Statement of Outside Resources and submit to the OSFA. Should it later be found that you are receiving outside resources which you neglected to report, your financial aid package will be adjusted retroactively to include these resources. This adjustment may result in repayment of previously disbursed financial aid.

How do my grades affect my financial aid as a graduate student?  

To receive financial aid (including loans) as a graduate student, you must maintain certain standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. You must maintain an institutional GPA of at least 3.0 and complete at least 67% of your attempted credits. If you fail to meet these criteria, you may appeal to request to have aid reinstated. View more information about Satisfactory Academic Progress.

If I am a graduate student taking less than half time credits with an approved Form 14, how will this affect my financial aid?  

Although you are considered full time for academic purposes and eligible to receive financial aid, your “cost of attendance” is lower than if you were enrolled in 9 credits – which means that your financial aid eligibility will be reduced.
You can think of your cost of attendance as the upper limit of the maximum amount of financial aid (including grants, scholarships and federal and private loans) that you may receive for the year. Your cost of attendance is determined by your academic classification (graduate student), residency status, housing status, and enrollment status.

Where can I find information about Public Service Loan Forgiveness?  

Click here for information about Public Service Loan Forgiveness.


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Athletics FAQs

When will my scholarship be disbursed?  

Athletic scholarships are disbursed the week after the drop and add period. Tuition and fee payment is automatically deferred up to the amount of the student’s athletic scholarship.

Do I have to fill out the Financial Aid Budget Form?  

If you did not complete the Free Application of Federal Student Aid and are on a partial scholarship, you must complete theFinancial Aid Budget Form.

Why were my loans or grants reduced?  

Athletics scholarships plus all other aid has to equal the student’s total cost of attendance. Therefore if your total financial aid package goes over your total cost of attendance you financial aid offers will be reduced.

What if I need to take some of my classes at another school?  

The Concurrent Enrollment form must be filled out. The athletic scholarship is only going to be disbursed after theConcurrent Enrollment Form is completed.

How will I receive the funds?  

Actual Disbursement of financial aid checks or Electronic Fund Transfers are a function of the Controller's Office as requested by the Financial Aid Office starting the third week of classes. Please make sure you fill out your direct deposit. If you are a full ride scholarship recipient, please read Off Campus Students Procedures.

I am a recipient of another outside scholarship. What needs to be done?  

The scholarship donor must fill out the Custodial Scholarship Letter. This form will help determine if the scholarship was offered using athletics participation as major criteria.

Why did I receive a late fee?  

Students are responsible to pay the portion of fees that the athletic scholarship does not cover. If payments of such fees are received after the payment due date, students will receive a late fee.

What is an Athletic Matriculation Exemption I see on my Student Account Summary?  

Total athletic aid may be a combination of athletic scholarships and the Athletic Matriculation Exemption. The addition of the two will equal to the total scholarship offered to you.

Why is my refund amount different than my team mate who is on a full ride scholarship?  

A student refund will vary from student to student because of the differences in the in number of credits taken in the semester, parking tickets, late fees, lab fees, housing status, meal plan and additional financial aid offers


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Honors College FAQs

What type of aid may I receive if I am an international student?  

You may qualify for scholarships outside of the Honors College. For web links go to our Scholarships webpage. You may also qualify for the alternative loan program; see private loans section You may apply for on-campus student employment (restrictions apply). Once you arrive, visit the Financial Aid office on your campus for assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: International students should not complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They are not eligible for federal/state/institutional grants and loans.

Do I qualify for any form of financial aid/scholarships if I am considered to be an early admit (dual enrolled earning high school and college credit) at the Honors College?  

You should work closely with your high school counselor to see if you qualify for the Florida Bright Futures scholarship. The final decision lies with the State programs office:888-827-2044 or http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/home/uamain.htm. You/your parents may qualify for the alternative loan program. See: Loans webpage for more information. You may also apply for on-campus student employment.
PLEASE NOTE: Freshman students who are deemed early admit (dual enrolled) should not complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They are not eligible for federal/state/institutional grants and loans at this time.

What happens to my Honors College scholarship if I drop below 12 credit hours during the fall semester?  

To receive their Honors College scholarship, students must be enrolled in an average of 12 credit hours in the Honors College each semester (fall and spring).

If I earn good grades can my Honors College scholarship be increased?  

The initial scholarship offer is based on academic history and expected performance. Unfortunately the Honors College cannot increase your offer if you earn good grades in college, though if your academic performance is below the renewal criteria, the offer may be reduced.

Do I have to register for 12 credit hours to keep my Honors College scholarship while I am on an internship or study abroad program?  

The Honors College scholarship is offered only during fall and spring semesters and will not cover summer study abroad or internships. You will receive your Honors College scholarship during fall or spring if you sign up for Honors College credit for your study abroad or internship. However, students who enter a non-FAU study abroad program may find it more advantageous to forego their Honors College scholarship and not pay tuition for FAU credit since they will be paying tuition to the non-FAU program. For more information about your options, see http://www.fau.edu/honors/academics/study-abroad.php.

As an in-coming freshman, may I receive an admissions scholarship from both the Honors College and FAU admissions?  

No, a student may receive only one admissions based scholarship from the institution (This would include all freshman admissions scholarships listed at http://www.fau.edu/admissions/freshmen/scholarships.php) However, students may apply and be considered for all other institutional scholarships for which they meet the criteria.

Will my Honors College offer be increased if I am chosen as a “named scholar?”  

Named scholars do not receive additional dollars. Students selected as “named scholars” receive special recognition and are given the privilege of meeting the donor who supplied the funds for the student’s Honors College scholarship.

Do I have to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the Honors College scholarship?  

The Honors College scholarship does not require the student to file a FAFSA. Some scholarship programs DO have this requirement. We strongly recommend submitting the FAFSA as it maximizes your possibilities for support. File the FAFSA by April 1st this year for FAU's priority consideration.

Is it possible to be offered too much scholarship money?  

Scholarships are viewed as a resource. It is very rare (but possible) that a student receives too much scholarship support. Please view FAU's overaward policy

May I use extra money from one semester for an upcoming semester?  

Yes, a student may use the aid refund they receive from one term for expenses associated with an upcoming term.

How do I get money for books?  

Disbursement of aid is a function of the Controller’s office. The scholarship and financial aid fund disbursement process takes several weeks. It is essential that you set aside personal funds to cover expenses incurred during the first few weeks of class. For students who do not have sufficient monetary resources, FAU offers the “Short Term Advance” - a University monetary advance to all students - ONLY if they meet all eligibility criteria. The Short Term Advance Application is located on MYFAU. For more information, please go to Help Buying Books.

How do I find how much I owe the school? How do I track my balances?  

The Controller’s office handles all student account transactions. To check on the status of your account, please log on to MYFAU and click on FAU Self-Service link.
PLEASE NOTE: Students receive their account statements via their FAU E-mail address only.

Does the Honors College provide a scholarship during the summer?  

No. If you have filed a FAFSA, you may receive financial aid during the summer. However, summer financial aid is typically very limited. We highly recommend that if you receive a financial aid refund in the fall or spring terms and you plan on taking summer courses, you should save a portion of these funds to help pay your summer tuition. Also, if you receive Bright Futures, you may be eligible for a summer disbursement. Register for summer courses prior to the 1st summer term Add/Drop deadline if you are eligible for PELL.


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Self-Service FAQs

How do I determine if my financial aid file is complete?  

Sign into MYFAU and click on the Money Matters! tile:

  • Click on "Your Financial Aid" to access Self-Service.
  • Click on "Eligibility" to review student requirements.
  • Select "Student Requirements" and select the Aid Year (if prompted).

If there are any documents under the "Unsatisfied Requirements" section, you must submit these documents ASAP in order to complete the processing of your financial aid.

How will I be notified if I have required documents to submit?  

Students will be sent an email to their FAU email address notifying them of documents needed to complete the processing of their financial aid.

When will I be offered financial aid and how will I be notified?  

After all necessary documents are submitted to the Financial Aid Office, students will be offered up to their maximum eligibility and notified via their FAU email address that they have offers to accept online (the email will also have instructions on how to accept offers).

What is the purpose of the Offer Summary by Term?  

The Offer Summary by Term is an actual offer letter stating the Financial aid offered and the breakdown of allocated funds per term. Students may print this page for their personal records. This page is for Informational Purposes ONLY. Students must go to the Accept Offers link to formally accept an offer decision online.

Why were my financial aid offers reduced?  

Disbursement of aid is dependent upon your enrollment status and compliance with the offer provisions. FAU reserves the right to revise this offer upon receipt of information which affects a student’s eligibility. All offers are based on continued eligibility and are contingent upon the availability of funds (i.e. a student was offered a full Pell Grant but is actually enrolled half-time - - the student will be offered the Pell Grant for half-time status).

How do I accept my financial aid offers?  

Some scholarships and the Federal Pell Grant will be automatically ACCEPTED on the system. All other types of aid will have to be ACCEPTED or DECLINED. Click on the Accept Offers link and for each offer, in the offer decision column, select Accept, Accept Partial, or Decline.
NOTE: If you select Accept Partial in the offer decision column, then you will need to enter an amount in the Accept Partial Amount column (remembering that all your amounts, even partial, will be split between Fall and Spring, when you are accepting in the Fall). Make sure that you read the Terms and Conditions of Offers Document and then click the Submit Decision button when finished.
If students want to accept ALL offers offered without making changes to the amounts, students can click on the Accept Full Amount All Offers button.

How do I revise my offers after I have accepted them online?  

Students may submit an Offer Revision Request form to revise their offers. Select the appropriate Revision Request form for your situation. Click here to go to the Forms to Download Page to view forms

What is an Athletic Matriculation Exemption I see on my Student Account Summary?  

Total athletic aid may be a combination of athletic scholarships and the Athletic Matriculation Exemption. The addition of the two will equal to the total scholarship offered to you.

How do I determine if an offer has been disbursed and if I owe a balance or if I have a financial aid refund?  

Disbursement of aid is a function of the Controller’s Office, beginning the third week of classes. Click on the Account Summary by Term link to view financial aid offers that have been processed/disbursed and if the student has received a financial aid refund. If the student has a balance after all financial aid has disbursed, the student will see the amount that they owe the University in the Account Balance field for that academic year.

How do I establish direct deposit?  

Students who receive a financial refund may have this refund direct deposited into their existing bank account. In Self-Service, click on the Main Menu link, then click on Direct Deposit for Financial Aid. Follow the instructions on establishing or updating your bank account information.


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Short Term Advance FAQs

What is a Short Term Advance?  

The Short Term Advance is a University monetary advance available to assist degree-seeking students enrolled at least half-time with:

  • Purchasing textbooks
  • Emergency funds relating to educational expenses
  • Unanticipated living expenses

Keep in mind that the Short Term Advance is NOT a source to assist with paying tuition and/or other related fees.

What are the eligibility requirements for receiving a Short Term Advance?  

Students must:

  • be degree-seeking
  • be enrolled at least half-time
  • have an FAU institutional GPA of 2.0
  • NOT have an outstanding balance with the University
  • establish direct deposit
  • be at least 18 years old (if not, the Parental Short Term Advance application will need to be submitted. This form is located on the Forms to Download section of the Financial Aid website.

Where is the Short Term Advance located?  

The Short Term Advance is located on the Money Matters tile of MYFAU.

When is the Short Term Advance application available?  

The Short Term Advance application is available about 2 weeks prior to the beginning of each semester. The online application will close approximately 2-3 weeks after disbursements for the last part of term begin.

How many Short Term Advances are each student allowed per semester?  

Students are ONLY allowed one Short Term Advance per semester. Preference will be given to full-time students when funds are limited.

What is the maximum amount a student can borrow?  

Students can borrow up to $750 each semester.

Is there a fee associated with processing a Short Term Advance?  

There is a $5.00 fee that will be assessed each time a Short Term Advance is processed.

Can I receive my Short Term Advance in the form of a paper check?  

No. Students will have to establish direct deposit. Funds will be direct deposited in the student's existing bank account.

When will the Short Term Advances be approved?  

Actual approvals don't begin until disbursements start for the term, so if you are checking your status before disbursements begin, you will only see a Requested Amount and not an Approved Amount. If the student meets ALL eligibility requirements, the Short Term Advance will process at least 3 BUSINESS days before the first day of classes. Learn how to check the status of Short Term Advance.

How long does it take for the Short Term Advance funds to appear in my bank account?  

Funds should be direct deposited in student's bank account within 2-3 BUSINESS days AFTER it has been approved/disbursed (sometimes sooner). Remember the Approved Amount will show $0 until disbursements begin.


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Degree Applicability FAQs

Can Financial Aid pay for courses that do not apply to my degree?  

It depends. Federal financial aid (Pell grant, Direct loans) will not pay for courses that do not apply to your degree. If a course does not apply to your degree, that means that it is not required for you to complete your major. Other types of state or institutional financial aid - such as scholarships - may pay for courses that are not degree applicable.

How will my Pell Grant be affected if I take credits that do not apply to my degree?  

Pell grant disburses based on your enrollment status (less than half time, half time, three quarter time or full time). Only courses which count towards your degree program will be used in determining your enrollment status for Pell grant purposes. For example, if you are enrolled in 6 credits of courses which are degree applicable and 6 credits of courses which are not degree applicable, you are only considered half time for financial aid purposes and will receive half of your offered Pell grant. To receive your full Pell grant, you must take at least 12 credits which apply to your program of study.

How will my Direct Loans be affected if I take credits that do not apply to my degree?  

Enrollment status for federal Direct loan purposes will be based only on courses which are degree applicable. To be eligible for Direct loans, undergraduate students must be enrolled half time (6 credits). Therefore, if you are an undergraduate student you must be enrolled in at least 6 credits which count towards your program of study in order to receive a Direct Loan. If you are not enrolled in at least 6 credits which are degree applicable, the loan will be cancelled for the term. Graduate students are also required to be enrolled half time (4.5 credits in fall or spring, 3 credits in summer) in credits which apply to the degree in order to receive federal loans.

Can Financial Aid pay for a double major or double degree?  

Yes, if your academic record indicates a double major or double degree, federal financial aid can be paid based on courses that are applicable for both programs.

Can Financial Aid pay for a minor?  

Yes, as long as your declared minor is appearing on your academic record, courses applicable to the minor will be used in calculating your eligibility.

How will my Federal Work Study be affected if I take credits that do not apply to my degree?  

To receive Federal Work Study funds, you must be enrolled at least half time (6 credits) in courses which apply to your degree.

I have a scholarship or institutional grant. Will these funds be affected if I take credits that do not apply to my degree?  

Non-federal funds such as FAU Undergraduate Grant, Bright Futures and other scholarships may pay based on courses that do not apply to your degree. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for additional information.

How can I verify that my classes are required for my degree?  

If you are an undergraduate student, you can verify that your classes will count towards your degree by running a Degree Audit Report. If you are a graduate student, please confer with your academic/faculty advisor.

Can federal Financial Aid pay for a course I have already taken?  

Once you receive a passing grade in a course, only one additional graded attempt for the same course is eligible for federal aid. Any additional attempts beyond this limit will not be funded. Exceptions may be made for cases where the student’s program requires enrollment in same course on a continuing basis over several semesters, with each attempt having significantly different course content (such as fine arts or thesis/dissertation courses).

How will my cost of attendance be affected if I take credits that do not apply to my degree?  

All students are assigned a budget, or “cost of attendance”, which represents the maximum amount of aid that they can potentially receive. Your cost of attendance is partly based on the number of credits which you are taking. Only credits that count towards your program of study will be used in determining your cost of attendance.


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Verification FAQs

What do I do if I see that my Verification requirements have been Waived?  

Do nothing and turn in nothing. You have been given a “Verification pass” for the 21/22 year and you will soon see your Financial Aid offer.

I am a dependent student and I did not file taxes for 2019.  On MYFAU the requirements say I have to turn in taxes. What do I do?  

Under student section III where it asks, “Did you file taxes” select one of the “No” responses and submit the remainder of the verification documents.  Once received, we will waive the student tax requirement if applicable.

My parent remarried but my stepparent does not provide for me. Why do I have to include my stepparent’s income?  

Federal regulations require including your parent’s legal spouse.  That person may not personally support you, however that person might help support your parent.

How do I get a non-filers letter from www.irs.gov if they do not answer the phone? 

Look for the 4506-T form on the site.  Complete the form, keep a copy and send it to the IRS at the address provided on the form.

I am 22 years old and live in my own apartment with friends.  Why do I have to include my parents on my verification?  

Per federal regulations, for FAFSA purposes, you are not considered independent until you are 24 years old.  If you think you might have special circumstances, contact your assigned financial aid counselor using instructions found at:  http://www.fau.edu/finaid/contact/financial-counselor/.

I am an independent student. I send money to my parents and siblings.  Can I list them on the verification worksheet as part of my household? 

No. You may not list anyone who does not live in your home even if you can prove that you are providing over 50% of their support.

Can I submit my 1040 instead of a tax return transcript from the IRS?  

At this time, you may. The 1040 must be manually signed in the proper place in ink and dated with the date of submission to the IRS. Also, you must submit Schedules 1, 2 and/or 3 if they are part of the return.

Why must my taxes be signed in ink for verification if I signed them electronically?  

When verification is completed, you must acknowledge the amounts listed on the tax return you are submitting are true and correct.

If I do not complete verification can I just receive Federal Loans?  

Completing verification allows you to receive all federal aid for which you are eligible. Federal loans are part of the federal aid package and therefore verification must be completed before you can be offered Federal Direct Loans.

I completed the required verification 4 and now you are asking me to complete a verification 5. Must I do this?  

Sometimes the federal system selects students for verification 5 after verification 4 has been completed.  Yes, this must be completed to be offered aid.

Do I have to complete verification every year?  

The federal selection for verification is random.  Some years you might be selected and other years you might not. Always complete FAFSA early and always try to use data retrieval to enter taxes.