Outlined below is a checklist for all graduate students to follow to assure that their financial aid is able to credit.

You must be a degree seeking student (accepted into the graduate program) and enrolled at least half-time (5 semester hours in the fall or spring or 4 hours in the summer) to receive financial aid.

File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, as soon as possible after January 1. This application covers the fall, spring, and summer semesters (in that order).

Approximately six weeks after filing the FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). Read it carefully. If changes need to be made please submit those as soon as possible, so the proper information is used in determining your financial aid.

The UNI Financial Aid Office will send an electronic notification (via MyUNIverse) if you have been selected for “verification.” One out of three students is selected for verification. If selected, you will be required to submit a signed copy of your most current Federal Income Tax Return and a UNI verification worksheet.

Plan to either receive a packet that will include a Financial Aid Award Letter or view your award letter via the Online Award Notification Link on MyUNIverse at http://myUNIverse.uni.edu

-If sent a paper copy of the award letter you may reduce or decline your aid list that amount in the space provided, sign and return the top copy to the UNI Financial Aid Office.

-The Online Awards Notification allows you to accept or decline your aid automatically on the web.
Note: ONLY COMPLETE ONE VERSION OF THE AWARD LETTER.

Included within the award package may be promissory notes. These promissory notes must be completed, signed, and returned to activate the receipt of loan funds.

Entrance counseling is required of all first time borrowers at UNI. Entrance counseling can be completed online at http://www.dlservicer.ed.gov.