Basic Eligibility Criteria 

To be considered for financial aid, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (Learn more at studentaid.gov)
• Have a valid Social Security number (except for students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
• Successfully complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and have an official Student Aid Index (SAI).
• Not be in default on any federal student loan.
• Not owe a refund on any federal financial aid program.
• Submit all documents requested (if any) to verify the accuracy of information reported on the FAFSA.
• Have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) certificate, or have completed a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law.
• Be accepted and enrolled in a degree program at least half time (6 credits) at UMass Amherst
• Classes previously passed and repeated more than once can not be counted toward enrollment for financial aid. This excludes classes designed to be taken more than once, ie; music composition.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress. Read the full Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy on the Forms section of this site.

*The U.S. Department of Education requires that students receiving federal financial aid meet the UMass Amherst academic status standards ensuring academic progress toward a degree or certificate program of study.

If your eligibility changes your award may be adjusted.

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. national (including native of American Samoa or Swains Island)
• 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
  • Parolee (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired)
  • Cuban-Haitian Entrant
• Hold a T-visa (for victims of human trafficking), or your parent holds a T-1 visa.
• You (or your parent) are a “battered immigrant-qualified alien” who is a victim of domestic violence by your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse; you (or your parent) are eligible under the Violence Against Women Act, for federal public benefits.

You may be asked by Financial Aid Services to provide valid documentation of your status.

You are not eligible if you are:

• In the U.S. on an F1 or F2 student visa
• In the U.S. on a J1 or J2 visitor visa
• In the U.S. on a G series visa
• You only have “Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I464).
• You have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Contact Financial Aid Services if you have questions about your eligibility.

UMASS FLEX degree seeking students are eligible for financial aid as determined by their credit total, need, and the information on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is due by May 1.

Students in the following programs are second bachelor’s degree candidates and are therefore only eligible for Federal Direct Loans as determined by their current loan aggregate, credit total, need and the information on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is due by May 1.

• Second Bachelor degree in Nursing
• Post-Baccalaureate Pre-clinical Program in Communication Disorders
• Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program*

*NOTE: Only students that are pursuing initial licensure programs are eligible for financial aid. Students who already hold a teaching license and are returning for an additional licensure or those who need additional coursework for renewal of their teaching license are not eligible for financial aid.

Renewal FAFSA

After your initial application for financial aid (FAFSA), you must submit a renewal FAFSA each year to continue receiving aid. If there are any changes in household size, number of family members in college, or financial changes, your award will increase or decrease accordingly.

In addition, there are variations from year to year in the financial aid funds available from federal, state, and/or institutional sources. These variations may require adjustments to awards.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

If you receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) throughout your program in order to maintain eligibility. These are minimum requirements – some financial aid programs may have higher academic standards for continued eligibility.

Please review the SAP policy page for detailed information: Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Verification of FAFSA Information

When you apply for financial aid through the FAFSA, some of your information is verified with different federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (for verification of Social Security Numbers and citizenship status). If the information you provide does not match federal agency databases, the discrepancy must be resolved through the financial aid office before you can receive financial aid.

• Incoming first-year and transfer students: You will receive a financial aid award to aid you in making your decision, but those funds will not disburse until all discrepancies are resolved. If left unresolved, the financial aid award will eventually be canceled.

Income information may also be verified using the verification worksheet and IRS tax return transcript. See more information under Apply for Aid.

Census Date

Each term the financial aid office will finalize your enrollment at the end of the add/drop period. During summer term this window is shorter. This date is referred to as census date for financial aid. Your financial aid may be adjusted as a result of a change to your enrollment. You will be sent an email if your award is updated. You could owe additional money to the university if your award is reduced.

UMass Amherst Financial Aid Withdrawal Policy (R2T4)

Students intending to withdraw from all classes must complete a Withdrawal Form. Visit the Dean of Students Office website for more information on the types of withdrawals and a list of FAQs regarding the withdrawal process. Once the form is completed and submitted, the student is considered “officially withdrawn.”

Please review the Financial Aid Withdrawal policy page for detailed information.