Financial Aid FAQ
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- Which FAFSA form should I use—the online application or the paper application?
- What is the Federal School Code for UMass Amherst?
- Is there a deadline to apply for financial aid at UMass Amherst?
- How often do I have to apply for financial aid?
- If all I want is a student loan, do I still have to apply for financial aid?
- What happens if I get scholarships from private sources?
- Can I get financial aid to purchase a computer?
- How do I appeal my financial aid award?
- Is financial aid available to international students?
- What does it mean to be selected for verification?
- I’d like to see what scholarship opportunities are available. Where do I go? Who can I speak to?
- How do I find a job on/off-campus?
- How can I get work-study?
- When do I get paid?
- How can I become an America Reads tutor?
- How do I apply to work in a student business?
- I am a student-parent. Can I get help for my childcare expenses?
- How do I appeal my residency status?
- Are there services for Veterans on campus? Where can I get information on the GI bill?
How do I apply for financial aid?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid serves as the single application for financial aid at UMass Amherst. Students who complete the application are considered for federal, state and University student financial aid programs.
Which FAFSA form should I use—the online application or the paper application?
Financial Aid Services at UMass Amherst recommends that students use the online FAFSA form. You will need a PIN to complete the online application. Your parents will also need a PIN. The PIN is available at the Federal Student Aid Pin site. If you need to apply using the paper form, it’s available in our office at 255 Whitmore Administration Building.
Is there a deadline to apply for financial aid at UMass Amherst?
Yes, you should apply for financial aid by February 15 to ensure that your application arrives at the central processor by our March 1 priority deadline.
If all I want is a student loan, do I still have to apply for financial aid?
Yes. In order to be considered for a William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan, you must complete a FAFSA form. Certain alternative loans do not require a FAFSA form, but Financial Aid Services recommends that you apply for financial aid so that we may consider you for all sources of assistance.
What happens if I get scholarships from private sources?
If you receive educational financial awards—including scholarships, grants, waivers, or educational loans—through sources other than the Financial Aid Office, you must report them. If after receiving a UMass Amherst financial aid award letter you are granted one or more additional awards, Financial Aid Services may be required to adjust your need-based aid. In most cases the additional aid will be applied towards your remaining need before your loans, work-study, grant, or scholarship aid will be reduced.
Can I get financial aid to purchase a computer?
Yes. You can complete a budget appeal form detailing the cost of your computer expense and providing documentation regarding the cost. In most cases, you will be eligible for additional student loans to assist you with this purchase.
How do I appeal my financial aid award?
After you have received and reviewed your financial aid award letter, you may appeal its decision if your family’s situation has changed significantly since you filed your application. You may also appeal if the application does not adequately reflect some unusual aspect of your financial situation. Circumstances that involve medical expenses or the loss of income through unemployment or underemployment for eight weeks or longer may result in the granting of additional financial aid.
Is financial aid available to international students?
Financial aid is available to eligible non-citizens. Generally you are an eligible non-citizen if you meet any of the following criteria:
• U.S. permanent resident with an Alien Registration card (I-551)
• Conditional permanent resident (I -551C)
• Other eligible non-citizen with an Arrival—Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations: “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Parole” (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired), or “Cuban—Haitian Entrant.”
If you are in the U.S. on an F1 or F2 student visa, a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa, or a G series visa you are not eligible for federal student aid. If you are an international student who does not meet these eligibility requirements, there are a number of websites that you can search for scholarship opportunities. Please contact the International Programs Office for more details.
What does it mean to be selected for verification?
The U.S. Department of Education or UMass Amherst’s Financial Aid Services may ask you to confirm certain information you reported on your FAFSA. Being selected for this verification process does not necessarily mean that you have made a mistake or provided erroneous information. If you are selected for verification you will be required to supply additional information. If you are an entering freshman or transfer applicant and meet the March 1 FAFSA deadline you will receive your financial aid award before the Candidates’ Reply Date (May 1 for freshman, June 1 for transfers). Entering freshman or transfer students selected for verification will receive a tentative financial aid offer. Once Financial Aid Services receives all documentation it needs to complete the verification, the documentation will be reviewed and your tentative award will either be finalized or adjusted.
I’d like to see what scholarship opportunities are available. Where do I go? Who can I speak to?
You can start at the Scholarships section of this site, which provides links to various scholarship resources. If you’re on the UMass Amherst campus, you can see lists of scholarships on the bulletin boards outside of 243 Whitmore.
How do I find a job on/off-campus?
Jobs are listed on the Student Employment Office website and outside 243 Whitmore on the bulletin boards. Jobs are deleted from both places once the SEO receives notice from the employers, and the website is updated daily. The bulletin boards are updated at least once per week.
How can I get work-study?
Students are awarded work-study as part of their financial aid package, and all students need to file a FAFSA form to receive financial aid. Students need to file by February 15 to meet the UMass March 1 deadline for priority consideration for financial aid, including work-study. Late filers will be considered for work-study, as long as funds are still available.
How can I become an America Reads tutor?
You can find information about America Reads at the Five College America Reads website. The website lists positions for tutoring, training session dates, as well as general information about the program. Applying for and being hired for a tutoring position follows the same process as a student who wants to work off-campus using work-study.
How do I apply to work in a student business?
Each business hires once or twice a semester, either for the current semester or in anticipation of openings for the next semester. Applications are available at the business or the Center for Student Business (CSB). Submit applications to the businesses you are interested in and they will call you for an interview. If you are interested, feel free to let the CSB know and they will put you on a potential employment list.
More on Student Businesses
I am a student-parent. Can I get help for my childcare expenses?
Yes! Childcare assistance is available to undergraduate students through the Office of Family Resources. There are a limited number of subsidized slots at the University Childcare program. In addition, the Commonwealth offers some childcare assistance to low-income families, and some towns also have assistance programs. Contact the Office of Family Resources for more information.
Are there services for Veterans on campus? Where can I get information on the GI bill?
The Veterans Affairs staff is located in the Dean of Students Office. The staff is prepared to assist you with all matters concerning GI benefits.
More for Veterans
