The
Do’s and Don’ts of Financial Aid
By:
The FEDS
Every year, there are things that students need to do in order to maintain their
financial aid. There are also things that students should not do, that could
significantly impact their financial aid. So for those students out there, who
are unsure about what to do in order to continue receiving financial aid, here
is a list of financial aid DO’s and DON’Ts!
DO…
1) File your FAFSA by March 1st of every year!!
- Be sure to use ALL of the correct
information and double-check the student’s social security number. It is
important to get your FAFSA in on time! If you send it in late, it may affect
the financial aid that you receive.
2) Stop before you drop!
- Come to the Financial Aid Office to talk
with a counselor BEFORE you drop any classes. Withdrawals can affect your financial
aid and SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress).
3) Check your e-mail frequently!
- You should check your UNH e-mail at
least once a day so that you stay updated on what’s going on with financial aid
and everything else at UNH! You can even
set up your UNH e-mail so that it gets forwarded to your regular e-mail and
your smart phone if that is more convenient for you.
4) Let the office know of any changes!
- Changes such as the amount of credits
you are taking, your permanent address, if you are living on or off campus, any
extenuating circumstances, etc. Be sure to notify the office as soon as
possible, as certain changes may affect your financial aid.
5) Ask questions!
- The Financial Aid Office is open Monday-Friday
from 8:30am-4:30pm. If you have any pressing questions about your financial aid
please stop by! We are located in Maxcy Hall, Room 118B.
6) Make sure you make the minimum requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)!
- In order to maintain good SAP, you must
satisfy certain requirements: for a full time day student you must complete 24
credits per academic year, maintaining a certain cumulative GPA based on
credits attempted and earn at least 67% of the credits you have attempted.
7) Review your Bursar’s Account balance!
- Be sure to take out any additional loans
or set up payment plans to cover the balance of tuition well before the start
of the school year.
8) Know the deadlines!
- Be aware of what is happening and when
with financial aid by reading our newspaper articles, listening to our radio
station ads, visiting our page on facebook, reviewing our table top flyers in
the dining halls or viewing our posters in the dorms and academic
buildings. Also, READ the e-mails we
send to your UNH e-mail address!
DON’T…
1) Wait or you’ll be late!
- Make sure you complete and submit all of
the necessary documents on time so that you can receive the most aid possible.
The sooner you get it in, the better!
2) Forget to apply for outside scholarships!
- Applying for outside scholarships is
extremely important and can help ease the stress of paying for college if you
receive them. There are two binders and a bulletin board FULL of outside
scholarships for you to look through, located in the lobby of the Financial Aid
Office. Be sure to let the Financial Aid Office know of any scholarships you
receive.
3) Forget to complete the Entrance Counseling or the Master Promissory Note!
- It’s quick and easy to fill out these
forms, so get it done! Just go to www.studentloans.gov
to complete both of these forms. Be sure you hit the “submit” button all the
way at the end of each form.
4) Ignore your outstanding balance!
- Be sure to learn how to use Epay, UNH’s
online payment system. Check it often to make sure that you do not have an
outstanding balance.
5) Ignore e-mails or phone calls from the Financial Aid Office!
- If we are trying to contact you, it is
for a good reason!! Answer your e-mails and phone calls, as it will be for
something important regarding your financial aid!
6) Forget to check NetPartner often!
- NetPartner allows you to view your
financial aid status, view any missing documents, view document descriptions,
sign your award letter, and more! Freshman will receive an e-mail when they are
entered into the system to use NetPartner. The NetPartner website is http://netpartner.newhaven.edu/NetPartnerStudent/Logon.aspx.
7) Forget about the Student Success Center and the Center for Learning Resources!
- They can help you with classes so that
you meet the minimum cGPA to receive financial aid. They’re here to help you
succeed, so use them!
8) Pay for the FAFSA or scholarships!
- If the site you are on is asking you for
a payment to fill out the FAFSA or any outside scholarships, it is NOT a
legitimate website, and you should exit the page immediately. It does not cost
anything to file the FAFSA through www.fafsa.ed.gov,
and it should not cost anything to apply for a scholarship, so be careful!
If you follow this list of financial aid Do’s and Don’ts, you should not have any problems with your
financial aid. It is important to keep yourself updated with information
regarding financial aid by checking your e-mails, listening to our ads on the
radio, along with keeping an eye out for flyers posted around campus, articles
in the Charger Bulletin and updates on our Facebook page (University of New
Haven-Financial Aid Office).
If you have any questions, please “DO” stop by the Financial Aid Office located in Maxcy Hall, room 118B!
