Eligibility & Deadlines

Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify for financial aid a student must:

Complete the FAFSA for the academic year of anticipated enrollment.
Be a U.S. citizen, or eligible non-citizen per Immigration and Naturalization regulations.
Be admitted to the University.
Not have received a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
Not have received aid for the maximum number of allowable semesters (8) for Financial Aid eligibility.
Not have defaulted on a previous federal loan.
Be matriculated in a program that terminates in a degree or certificate.
Be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credits per semester). UArts offers some types of financial aid to part-time students (6-11.5 credits).

All students who wish to be considered for financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information must be released to the U.S. Department of Education and to the University. The FAFSA is basic to the University's Financial Aid application process and is essential to the determination of the student's eligibility for all types of aid (Pell, FSEOG, and PHEAA Grants, as well as Federal Work Study and loans). A student cannot be considered for any type of financial aid until a correct and complete FAFSA has been processed.

The University does not require the CSS, ACT, FAF, Profile, or other financial aid applications to be considered for financial assistance.

The Department of Education has provided an easy way to apply electronically for aid. With Internet access, the FAFSA can be completed and filed at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Remember, a student should submit only ONE application each year .

Deadlines

The University of the Arts' postmark deadline for submission of the FAFSA is March 1 st of the academic year anticipated to attend .

Deadlines are used to assist the University in determining how many students wish to be considered for aid from the available funds. We also use deadlines so that we will receive the necessary information, and are able to forward a response to you, in time for you to make important decisions regarding your enrollment plans. Students who miss the filing deadlines may not receive all of the aid for which they may have been eligible. Late applicants are also subject to out-of-pocket expenditures for aid that has not been processed, as well as the withholding of registration and class attendance in the event of outstanding balances.

All eligible students are considered for financial assistance regardless of filing date, depending upon availability of funds. However, University-administered funds will not be used to replace federal or state grants, or loans for which a student may have been eligible but for which he/she failed to apply successfully.

All students who plan to attend the University during the Fall or Spring semesters must file the FAFSA by the deadline. Incoming students are considered on a rolling, funds-available basis after the March 1st. Applicants are advised to submit all application materials by March 1st, or as soon as possible. Some sources of funding are limited and will not be available to otherwise eligible but late applicants.

Stafford/PLUS Application Deadline

Following your award of a Federal Stafford Loan, you will be sent information regarding the Stafford Loan application procedure. In order for you to receive Stafford Loans as a part of your award, it is crucial that you go to http://www.aessuccess.org/ to complete entrance counseling and your Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note.

Parents who wish to borrow a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) can access more information and an application at http://www.aessuccess.org/. It is important that you do a thorough evaluation of how much you will need to borrow before you fill out the application.

PHEAA State Grant Deadlines—All Students

The state's deadline for receipt of the completed FAFSA application is May 1st, for the academic year of anticipated enrollment. Applications received after that date may render a student ineligible for the PHEAA Grants.

Duration of Eligibility

Under federal and University guidelines, undergraduate students may continue to receive financial aid for only eight semesters, or until the first baccalaureate degree or its equivalent has been earned. Students are no longer eligible for aid once they have either completed the requirements for the degree or have completed the equivalent number of credits. Students may not receive undergraduate grants to complete minors, double degrees, or teacher certification programs that extend beyond eight semesters. Students are not permitted to delay graduation in order to continue their eligibility for aid. Students can also exhaust their eligibility for financial aid by failing or withdrawing from courses.

If you have questions about your status please contact the Financial Aid Office.