The Office of Student Financial Aid reminds students to check aid packages
January 5, 2016
New year, new financial aid letter. With the spring semester approaching, UI students are advised to review their award letters and adjust to some changes for the spring semester.
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) issued an email on January 4 noting some of the changes to the process for the upcoming semester.
Due to the prolonged Illinois state budget, students eligible for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) may be required to repay funds to the university if the MAP is not approved. However, as the Interim Chancellor Wilson addressed in an email to those students, she found the chances of the program being cut as slim.
“While we believe this is highly unlikely, if that were to happen the Office of Student Financial Aid would work with you to explore other funding options that might be available to you,” Wilson said.
Along with the scholarships, it is essential that students reevaluate their award letter to confirm the requirements for certain scholarships and loans. While many scholarships and grants require students to enroll in at least 12 credit hours, MAP recipients are required to register for 15 hours each semester.
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It is important to notify OSFA of the number of hours registered so that students don’t receive financial aid that they are not eligible for and then have to repay those funds to the University.
Attributed financial aid, ranging from scholarships, grants and loans, will be activated January 10. Students are advised to check their UI-Integrated Self-Service to see if their financial aid is credited to their account, along with any refunds that will be recognized January 15. Students must set up a Direct Deposit to receive the refunds.
UI-Integrated Self-Service will allow students to review their spring 2016 bill on February 2 and require payment February 28.
Recipients of independent scholarships must complete the Private Outside Scholarship Form and mail it with the check to OSFA or walk-in.
Students with any questions or concerns should contact OSFA at 217-333-0100 or [email protected].