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Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for Financial Aid

 

How do I apply for financial aid at UTPA?

  • You can apply via FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov

  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the renewal FAFSA and mail it to the processor as soon as possible after January 1 for the coming academic year.

  • If you applied last year, you may receive a Renewal FAFSA in the mail, complete that form. FAFSA forms are available from high school guidance offices, college and university financial aid offices.

  • Read the application instructions carefully.

  • Mail the FAFSA to the processor by February 28th or as soon after each year or visit our website www.panam.edu/finaid to get a listing of times and dates available for FAFSA completion at our "Express Lab".

  • List UTPA's school code 003599 in Part 6, so your information will be sent to UTPA by the processor.

  • When in doubt, call or visit the Student Financial Services office for assistance.

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What are some of the mistakes people make when applying for financial aid?

Four of the most common mistakes are:

  • Not filing early enough

  • Not reading the instructions

  • Not fully completing the application, and

  • Not using the correct social securing number

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Can I take the FAFSA to the Financial Aid Office and have it processed there?

The normal procedure is to mail the application in the self-addressed envelope provided with the application. At UTPA, you may sign up for an Application Express Workshop and receive assistance in completing the application and mail the application electronically. Students are encouraged to attend an Application Express Workshop. Please come by the Student Financial Services office for workshop dates or visit our website at http://www.panam.edu/finaid.

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Do I have to apply every year? When are the deadlines?

Yes, a new FAFSA must be submitted to the processor every year. It is necessary to apply each year to ensure that any changes to your and/or your parent's financial aid situation is given proper consideration. The priority deadline to submit your FAFSA to the Department of Educations is:

  • February 28th - Fall
     

  • September 15th - Spring
     

  • December 15th - Summer

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    • Am I required to use my parent's information on the FAFSA?

    The instructions in step 3 of the FAFSA will explain whether or not you must include parent information.

    If you have been declared independent by a financial aid administrator in the past, or if you think your special situation merits a review, request and come by the Student Financial Services office and ask to have your application reviewed by a financial aid advisor.

    Note: Complete the review prior to filing the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA whenever possible.

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    If I do not live with my parents why am I still considered a dependent student?

    Section D of the FAFSA is that section of the application that is used to determine dependency status. If you can legitimately answer "YES" to any of the questions in this section, then you can be considered independent.

    If you answer "NO" to all these questions but have extenuating circumstance that you feel would qualify you as an independent student, then you should address it with a UTPA financial aid advisor.

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    Is the FAFSA the only application I need?

    The FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA are the only forms you need to apply for federal aid at UTPA.

    If you would like to be considered for UTPA Scholarships, there is a separate application available at the Student Financial Aid website at http://www.panam.edu/scholarships.

    Deadline is December 1st of every year.

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    Do I need to submit other documents to UTPA?

    Only if they are requested by the Student Financial Services office. This office will contact you if additional information is needed to complete your file. Remember to include your social security number on all documentation submitted, including parent documents.

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    When do I apply for financial aid?

    Apply for financial aid as soon as your tax return is complete.

    Feb 28th - Priority date to file FAFSA with the Federal Processor. Meeting the priority date enables you to participate in the first financial aid packaging run. Subsequent packaging runs may have less grant money available.

    April 15 - Priority date to turn in any requested documents to the Financial Aid Office.
     

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    How do I know my FAFSA was processed? How will I know that UTPA has received my financial aid information?

    If you mailed the FAFSA, you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail about four to six weeks from the date it was mailed. If you transmitted you FAFSA electronically, you should receive a Student Aid Acknowledgement statement in the mail two weeks after transmitting.

    Check to make sure UT-Pan American is one of the schools listed on the form. Questions about FAFSA processing can be directed to the Federal Student Aid Information Center (1-319-337-5665).
     

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    My SAR is not accurate. Do I need to correct it?

    Students who are concerned with only UT-Pan American receiving corrections can submit the SAR directly to the Student Financial Services office for correcting. Students who want corrections sent to schools besides UT-Pan American schools that are listed on the SAR should process corrections through the Central Processor, by mailing back their SAR or making corrections on-line through the Department of Education website - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

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    I turned in my SAR to another school, but I'll be coming to UT-Pan American. What should I do?

    If you indicated release of data to UT-Pan American on your FAFSA, then UT-Pan American will receive your information. If you did not indicate UT-Pan American, then it will be necessary to request a duplicate SAR from the Federal Student aid Information Center (call 1-319-337-5665). Make sure you request that your data be released to UT-Pan American and that the address they have for you is correct. The SAR will be mailed to you. Upon receiving your updated SAR, contact the Financial Aid Office.

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    What if I want to attend summer school?

    You should go online and complete the Summer Notification application as soon as possible starting in early January. The deadline to apply for summer financial aid is February 15th.

    In order to qualify for a loan, you may not exceed the maximum loan limits for the academic year.

     

     

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    Can I make corrections to my Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web?

    Corrections on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov will allow you to correct your FAFSA information regardless of the original FAFSA form type. You can also make the corrections on a paper Student Aid Report (SAR).

    You need a PIN (formerly known as your EAC) to access the FAFSA Corrections on the Web application. Your PIN is your signature, and the Dept of Education does not require a separate signature page if you change only your own information.

    To request a PIN, login to http://pin.ed.gov

    If you change information about your parents, the Dept of Education will need to collect your parents' signature. Your parents can sign your application with a signature page or electronically with a PIN.

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    What is the UTPA Federal school code for applying for financial aid?

    UTPA's Federal School Code is 003599

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    How can I tell if I am an independent or dependent student?

    When you apply for federal student financial aid, your answers to certain questions will determine whether you're considered dependent on your parents or independent. If you are considered dependent on your parents, you must report their income and assets as well as your own. If you are independent, you must report only your own income and assets (and those of your spouse, if you're married).

    Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the idea that students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) have the primary responsibility for paying for their postsecondary education.
    For the 2004-2005 school year, you're an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you:

    • you were born before January 1, 1981;

    • you're married;

    • you will be working on a degree beyond a bachelor's degree;

    • you have children or legal dependents other than a spouse that received at least 50% of their support from you, now and through June 30, 1005

    • you are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18); or

    • you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces ("veteran" includes a student who attended a U.S. military academy who was released under a condition other than dishonorable).

    If you think you have unusual circumstances that would make you independent even though none of the above criteria apply to you, make an appointment to see your financial aid advisor. He or she can change your status if he or she thinks your circumstances warrant it based on the documentation you provide. Remember, the financial aid advisor won't automatically do this. That decision is based on his or her professional judgment, and it's final--you can't appeal it to the U.S. Department of Education or to anyone else. Your dependency status cannot be changed solely on the basis that you don’t live with your parents.

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    I have received a paper Renewal FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in the mail. Can I file an original FAFSA instead of a Renewal FAFSA?

    • You can file an original FAFSA instead of your Renewal FAFSA. However, since an original FAFSA will probably take much longer to fill out than a Renewal FAFSA, we strongly encourage you to file a Renewal FAFSA. You do not have to complete the renewal application.

    • You can login to www.panam.edu/finaid to find dates and times of the FAFSA preparation sessions provided by the Student Financial Services office to assist with the application process.
       

    • You can also complete the FAFSA on the web by logging into www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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    Do I need to keep copies of any documents and/or forms turned into the Student Financial Services office?

    Yes! Keep copies of all forms completed and any materials used to prepare the FAFSA, such as, tax returns.

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    How do I get a Federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) number?

    If you don't have a Federal PIN and you are eligible to receive one, select "Request a PIN (first-time)" from the Federal PIN home page at http://pin.ed.gov.

    If you have lost your PIN or think it has been compromised, select "Change my PIN" from the PIN home page.

    To complete a PIN request, you will be asked to provide your Social Security Number, the first two (2) letters of your last name, and your date of birth. Once you have completed the form, select "Submit Request." You will then be asked to confirm that you live at the address that is listed in our database. If you select "Yes" at the bottom of the page, a PIN will be mailed to you via the U.S. Postal Service. It will take approximately 7-10 days after you request your PIN for you to receive it in the mail.

    If you provide an email address, a PIN will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

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    What information do I need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)form?

    You will need to request a PIN for you and parents (for dependent students). To request a PIN, log into http://pin.ed.gov

    You will also need records for income earned in the year prior to when you will start school.

    For the 2004-2005 school year, you will need 2003 calendar year information.
        You will need to refer to:
                • Your Social Security card and driver's license
                • W-2 Forms or other records of income earned
                • Your (and your spouse's, if you are married) Federal Income Tax Return
                • Your parent's Federal Income Tax Return
                • Records of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, social security benefits, TANF, 

                   veteran's benefits, or military or clergy allowances, child support
                • Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments
                • Business or farm records, if applicable
                • Your alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

    The Student Financial Services office offers assistance in completing the FAFSA On-line. For dates on our regular scheduled express workshops, please refer to our website at http://www.panam.edu/finaid or come by our office located at SSB 186 or call us at (956) 381-2501.
    Processing time depends on whether the application was submitted electronically or if it was mailed.

    If completed electronically, you should get a response from the Department of Education within 10 days.

    If mailed, you will get a response with 4- 6 weeks.
     

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    Can I complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Renewal application on-line?

    Go to the Department of Education website at www.fafsa.ed.gov to see if a renewal application is available for you to complete. If not, you should not delay in completing the regular FAFSA for 2002-03.
    Remember that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) needs to be completed every year. It is suggested that you apply by February 28th in order to have your aid eligibility reviewed with enough time for the new academic year.

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    Where can I get information on Financial Aid Available through the US Department of Education?

    This information is available in The Financial Aid Student Guide provided by the U S Department of Education. You can pick one up at the Student Financial Services Office at the Student Services Building, Rm. 186.
    You can also log into their website at www.studentaid.ed.gov.

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    How do I register with the Selective Service so that I can qualify for financial aid?

    If you are a male (age 18 through 25) and you have not registered with the Selective Service, you can give the Selective Service permission to register you by checking a box on your FAFSA. You can also register through the Internet at:

    http://www.sss.gov

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    What is financial need and how is it determined?

    When you apply for financial aid, the information you report on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used in a formula established by the U.S. Congress to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

    Your Expected Family Contribution is the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education (although this amount may not exactly match the amount you and your family end up actually contributing).

    If you are an undergraduate student and your EFC is below a certain amount (determined yearly by Department of Education), you'll be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements for the program.

    There isn't a maximum EFC that defines eligibility for the other financial aid programs. Instead, your EFC is used in the following equation to determine your financial need:

    The Student Financial Services office calculates your cost of attendance (COA) and subtracts the amount you and your family are expected to contribute (EFC) toward that cost. If there's anything remaining, you're considered to have financial need.

    • COA – EFC = Need

    The College Board has a calculator that you can use to ESTIMATE your EFC. It is located at http://cbweb9p.collegeboard.org/EFC/. In determining your need for aid from other need-based programs, the Student Financial Services office must first consider other aid or resources that you are receiving (such as scholarships, waivers, fellowships, VA benefits, ROTC and athletic awards, tuition prepayment, employer assistance, etc.). If you are receiving assistance that is not reflected on your financial aid award letter, you must report it to the Office of Financial Aid.

    The Student Financial Services office puts together a package of grants, loans, and work in an attempt to come as close as possible to meeting your need. However, because funds are limited, the amount awarded to you may fall short of the amount for which you are eligible.

    You can make an appointment to see a financial aid advisor, if you feel you have any other special circumstances that might affect your dependency status, the amount you and your family are expected to contribute, or your cost of attendance. All documents turned into that advisor will be reviewed by a Financial Aid Support Committee and they will make a decision based on federal and institutional guidelines.

    But remember, there has to be very good reasons for the financial aid committee to make any adjustments, and you'll have to provide adequate proof to support those adjustments.

    The financial aid committee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education or anyone else.
     

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