Annual FAFSA Renewal
Each year, students who wish to be considered for financial aid need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In order to be considered for most forms of UConn financial assistance, applications must be received by the UConn on-time deadline of February 15 for all students.
- Failure to complete the FAFSA by this deadline may result in a loss and/or reduction of financial aid. Students who do not meet the February 15 on-time deadline will not be considered for the following types of aid:
- University Grant
- Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program – Need Based Grant Award
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Federal Work-Study
On-Time Financial Aid Application Deadline Appeal
Students who have who have not met the February 15 on-time deadline due to extenuating circumstances may request reconsideration of their financial aid awards by submitting the On-Time Financial Aid Application Deadline Appeal on the corresponding aid year.
- Circumstances we will consider:
- A death or illness in the student’s immediate family
- An illness and/or injury befalling the student
- Additional special circumstances considered at the discretion of the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS)
Circumstances will not consider:
- Non-UConn publications stating incorrect deadlines
- Initiating the FAFSA application process late pending receipt of FSA ID
- Waiting to be admitted to the university
Please be advised that a change of eligibility based on appeal approval does not guarantee an additional award of financial aid. Once an appeal has been processed, students will be notified of the outcome via their university email account.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be considered for financial assistance at UConn, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:
| Eligibility Requirements: |
|---|
| Must be accepted into a degree-granting program or approved certificate program at UConn. |
| Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and if required, provide documentation to verify their status. |
| Must have a valid Social Security Number (unless the student is from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau). |
| Must have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate or pass an exam approved by the U.S. Department of Education. |
| Must not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while receiving federal student aid (such as grants, loans or work-study). |
| If convicted of possessing or selling drugs after submitting the FAFSA, the student must immediately notify the Office of Student Financial Aid Services. Financial aid eligibility will be lost, and the student will be required to pay back all aid received after the conviction. |
| Must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan. |
| Students who have been previously incarcerated, or are currently incarcerated, or who might be incarcerated during their current term of attendance, must identify themselves to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services to determine their financial aid eligibility. |
| Students who receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) containing a C Flag, must review the SAR to determine what eligibility issue has been identified for them or their parent(s). Additional information regarding the steps that must be taken to resolve the issue(s) can be found in the specific comments on the SAR. Students with an active C Flag will not be awarded financial aid until the issue is resolved. |
Limitations to Eligibility
Second Bachelor’s Degree
Students who have already earned their first undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree will be considered for Federal Direct Loan and Federal Work Study. Second bachelor’s degree students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant or University Grant funds.
Non-Degree Students
Students enrolled in a non-degree program are not eligible for federal or institutional financial aid.
Cooperative Education (Co-Op)
Students participating in a Cooperative Education Program will not be eligible for financial aid unless receiving credits from other courses.
Enrollment at Multiple Institutions
Students who are enrolled at more than one college or university during the same semester are only eligible to receive aid from one institution.
Undocumented Students
In some cases, undocumented students may be eligible to receive some form of institutional aid. For more information about aid for undocumented students, navigate to the Undocumented Students page.
University Grant
University Grant is available to eligible UConn undergraduate students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and are enrolled full-time.
Terms and Conditions
If a student has received a financial aid offer, the following terms and conditions apply:
| Terms and Conditions: |
|---|
| If requested, students must provide documentation to verify the accuracy of the information reported on the FAFSA before their financial aid can be finalized and disbursed. |
| Financial aid offers are awarded based on merit and/or calculated need as determined from information provided on the FAFSA. Financial aid awards are subject to revision(s) because of changes in financial situations, verification, discovery of data errors, changes in enrollment status or changes in residency status, among other things. |
| Must have a valid Social Security Number (unless the student is from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau). |
| Students who receive any financial assistance from any source that is not included in their list of Financial Aid Awards, must report the assistance via the Student Administration System for evaluation by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services. Financial aid offer may be revised based upon this information.. |
| Must be enrolled full-time to receive most types of financial aid. If enrolled less than full-time, financial aid awards may be reduced or cancelled. |
| Classes taken for audit are not eligible for financial assistance, and do not count toward enrollment for purposes of financial assistance. |
| Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible for most forms of aid. |
Undocumented Student Aid Eligibility
For more information on eligibility requirements for Undocumented Students, please visit the Undocumented Student page.
Verification
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education selects certain applicants for verification. Verification is a process in which information on a students Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is reviewed by a school for accuracy and completeness. Please be aware that a student's financial aid award package is an estimate until verification has been completed by the University.
Students who must submit documentation to verify information on their FAFSA will be notified via University email. Students must take the following steps to complete their verification requirements:
- Log into the Student Administration System to review outstanding requirements
- Complete all forms and submit all required documentation as soon as possible
Note: Additional documentation may be required after initial review. Student should closely monitor their university email account for important messages from the Office of Student Financial Aid Services regarding missing or incomplete information requests.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool as a means of completing their FAFSA and any verification requirements. In lieu of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, IRS Tax Return Transcripts or signed IRS Form 1040 may be submitted. IRS Tax Return Transcripts from the IRS by phone, by mail, or online.
Students should not submit documentation unless they receive specific requests from the Office of Student Financial Aid Services or through the Student Administration System.
Verification Deadline
Students selected for verification and awarded an estimated financial aid offer must submit all documentation to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services by November 1. Students who do not submit the required documentation by the final deadline of November 1 will have all financial aid cancelled.
University funding may be reinstated depending on funding availability so long as all documentation is submitted no later than December 1. Aid may not be reinstated if documents are submitted after the final deadline. Federal aid will be reinstated upon completion of verification in accordance with federal regulations.