Incoming first-time, first-year students are billed initially for a traditional double dorm room before actual room assignments are finalized by Residential Life. If your actual room
assignment is more expensive than a traditional double, you will receive a subsequent bill for the difference. If your actual room assignment is less expensive than a traditional double, you
will receive a credit on a subsequent bill once your actual room is finalized.
If you change rooms during the semester and your new room is more expensive - or if a roommate moves out, your room charge will be adjusted on a pro-rated basis for the semester.
I already have my own health insurance coverage. Why was I billed for health insurance and can I have the charge removed?
Health insurance is mandatory at the University of Vermont. Students must complete an online insurance decision form every year.
The online decision/waiver form and additional information are available at the website of UVM’s Center for Health and Wellbeing.
When will I get a bill?
All UVM bills are sent by e-mail to student's UVM e-mail address. Bills are issued after students register for classes.
For most students, fall semester bills are issued in early July and spring semester bills in early December. View all bill dates and
due dates.
Can I get a paper copy of my bill?
We do not mail paper bills. However, you may print a copy of your bill from the online billing system. To print your current statement, log into the billing system
as a student or authorized payer. Once logged in, select "Current
Statement". Look for the PDF Icon to access a printable version of your bill.
What is the difference between viewing my current statement and account status? Why do they reflect different balances?
Your current statement is a snap-shot in time and reflects only transactions which occured prior to the statement date. Your current statement does not reflect
transactions or payments which posted after the statement date. Account Status reflects recent account activity including transactions which posted after your last statement.
Select Account Status to verify that a recent payment has posted to your account.
Your current balance and statement balance may be different because your statement balance is your balance on the date your statement was issued and your current balance reflects recent
account transactions. In addition, your statement may include pending financial aid (financial aid which we expect to pay to your account) while your current balance reflect only financial
aid which has actually paid to your account.
How do I view my bill online?
Students: Log into the Student Information System and navigate to " Student Financial Service
" followed by " Account and Billing Information " and " View Latest Bill".
Authorized Payers: Log into the Authorized Payer Billing System. Once logged in, select "Current
Statement".
I’m the person paying the bill, why does the student receive a copy of the bill and not me?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) limits access to educational records - including the student's
bill to the student unless the student authorizes the bill to be released to other parties.
Your student may grant you access to their student account as an authorized payer. Authorized payers have access to the student's bill and are notified by e-mail when a new bill is posted
online.
Learn more about setting up an authorized payer.
How do my parents or a third party receive a copy of my bill?
You may set up authorized payers on your account. Authorized payers have access to the student's bill and are notified by e-mail when a new bill is posted
online. View details about setting up an authorized payer.
Why doesn’t my recent payment show on my latest bill?
The latest bill is a snap-shot in time and will only reflect activity since the closing date of your last bill.
To view current account activity, while logged into the billing system, select "Account Status".
This will show any activity since your last bill.
What happens if I drop a course or withdraw?
Dropping courses and/or withdrawing from classes are academic actions that often have financial implications.
It is your responsibility to understand the effects that these actions will have on your student financial aid.
If you are considering dropping or withdrawing from classes at the University of Vermont, we highly encourage you to contact the Financial Aid Office in order to go over specific implications of these actions.
What is a 1098T form, and who gets them?
A 1098T is a statement of qualified tuition and related expenses that were billed to your student account during the calendar year.
This can be used to assist you in determining if you are eligible to claim an education credit on tax form 1040 or 1040A.
The form includes the total amount of tuition and qualified fees that you were billed during the calendar year, as well as any scholarships or grants that you received during that same calendar year.
For more information about the credit, see Publication 970, Tax benefits for education, or Form 8863, Education Credits on www.irs.gov.
As long as the amount of qualified tuition and fees is greater than the amount of scholarships or grants you receive, and you are a U.S. citizen, you should receive a 1098T for a year in which you were billed for tuition and fees.
I'm considered a full-time grad student, why does my bill have a part time comp fee on it?
For students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits, the comprehensive fee is pro-rated based on the number of credits in which the student is enrolled and reflects on
the bill as "part-time comprehensive fee". The Graduate College may consider you to be a full-time student if you carry fewer than 12 credits but the comprehensive fee is labeled "part
time" all students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits.
Payment
Where do I mail a payment?
Payments by personal check may be mailed to:
University of Vermont
P.O. Box 1306
Williston, VT 05495-1306.
Please note the student ID number on your check and send your payment with the remittance portion of your bill. Do not send correspondence or scholarships checks to this address.
Mail correspondence and any scholarship checks to:
University of Vermont Student Financial Services
221 Waterman Building
85 So. Prospect Street
How do I pay my bill online?
Students: Log into the Student Information System and navigate to "Student Financial Service
" followed by "Account & Billing Information" and "Pay a Bill Online". Authorized Payers: Log into the Authorized Payer Billing System and then select the "Make a Payment
" link from the left-hand menu. Others: If you are neither the student nor an authorized payer, you may still make an online payment to a students account as a "guest payer". You will need the
students name and UVM ID. Please note that as a guest payer you will not have access to any student information. Log
in as a guest payer
My bill is being paid by financial aid, what should I do?
In order for your bill to be paid by financial aid, you must have a financial aid award in place and must accept and finalize your aid prior to the bill due
date. Learn more about accepting and finalizing your financial aid. You must respond to your bill if your bill will be paid in full or in part by financial aid. Failure to respond to your bill will result in a late payment fee.View tips on responding to your bill.
Why is UVM assessing a 2.75 percentage service charge to pay with credit card?
The University is not accepting credit card payments directly.
Credit cards are processed by infiNET, a vendor contracted by the University that is charging a fee for their service.
The 2.75 percentage based on the payment amount for each transaction was determined by our vendor.
The University of Vermont does not receive any part of the service charge.
Why don’t you take Visa?
Regretfully, we have been unable to reach a contractual agreement with VISA regarding the service charge assessed by infiNET, our third party credit card payment
processor.
Why have I been asked to complete a "mandatory response" form?
Students are required to complete a Mandatory Response Form if the number of credit hours in which they are enrolled and the number of credit hours on which their
financial aid is based do not match. Until the credit hours do match, financial aid will not pay to your student account or appear on your bill. To determine the actual amount due by the
due date of your bill, complete the Mandatory Response Form based on the number of credits in which you expect to enroll. Download the Mandatory Response Form from our
Worksheets & Forms Page.
Financial Aid Refund Policy
If my financial aid overpays my student account, who will the overage/refund be issued to?
If all of the financial aid which resulted in the credit balance is in the student's name, the refund will be payable to student.
If there is a Parent PLUS loan included in the credit balance, the refund (up to the full amount of the PLUS Loan) will be payable to the parent who borrowed the PLUS Loan unless that
parent authorizes us to issue the refund to the student.
Can I pick up my check at your office?
Yes you can, if you make arrangements to do so BEFORE your student account goes to a credit balance.
Please contact our office if you wish to arrange to pick up a check in person. Please note that you will need to provide a picture id when picking up your check.
When will the check be sent?
The earliest that any refunds are issued is 5-7 business days before the start of classes for the given semester. In order to receive a refund, all financial aid
paperwork must be complete and your actual enrollment must match the expected enrollment on which your financial aid is based.
We encourage students to have financial plans in place which permit them to begin the semester even if there is a delay in their financial aid refund.
If your financial aid disburses after the semester begins, we will generally initiate your refund within ten business days of your account going to a credit balance.
I’m a student. Can I set up direct deposit for my refund?
Yes you can. To set up Direct Deposit, have your bank account information handy and login to the Student Information
System. From the main menu navigate to "Student Financial Services," followed by "Account and Billing Information," and "Set Up Direct Deposit for Student
Refund."
How do I get a refund for the funds I have borrowed with my Parent PLUS loan for my student’s books or living expenses?
If a Parent PLUS Loan is the cause of the refund, any refund check will be made payable to the parent borrower and mailed.
A parent PLUS borrower may also sign up for direct deposit through the Authorized Payer Billing Syste
if the parent is also an Authorized Payer.
Can you issue the refund directly to my son/daughter for my Parent PLUS loan?
Yes, when you fill out the University of Vermont Federal Parent PLUS Loan Request form, you can specify whether you would like any refund issued directly to you or released to the student.
There is a monthly payment plan set up with TMS that would give us a credit balance on the student account. Why have we not received a refund for the excess funds?
If you have a monthly payment plan in place you will not receive a refund until the payment plan is paid in full for the plan period (year or semester based on your
enrollment). If the payment plan, in combination with other resources is creating an overpayment on your student's account, you may wish to contact our office to reduce the payment plan.
Tuition Management Services
How do I set up a TMS plan?
You can enroll by mail, phone or on line.
To enroll by mail or phone call TMS at 1-800-722-4867 they can either mail you the application or enroll you while you are on the phone.
To enroll on line go to www.afford.com.
From the homepage, select student and family login.
Complete the register for online access section.
What charges should I include in the cost of attendance?
You would include the charges that apply to your bill.
IE: tuition, comprehensive fee, IRA fee, room, meals and insurance.
How do I revise a plan?
You can call Tuition Management Systems 1-800-722-4868 or Student Financial Service (802) 656-5700 to have your plan revised.
What should I do if my plan is delinquent?
If your payment plan becomes delinquent you should call TMS to make your payment over the phone to bring your account current.
TMS will access a late fee and it will be added to the balance due on your account.
Why is my account canceled?
An account can be canceled due to several consecutive missed payments.
To determine if your account can be reinstated, please call TMS at 1-800-722-4867.
TMS payment plan refund policy
How are overpayments handled?
TMS receives each monthly payment on your account and forwards the money to UVM.
TMS will not refund for any overpayments on your account.
Overpayments will be forwarded to UVM and UVM will complete the refund process.
There is a monthly payment plan set up with TMS that would give us a credit balance on the student account. Why have we not received a refund for the excess funds?
If you have a monthly payment plan in place you do not receive a refund until this payment plan is paid in full for the semester.
If you wish, you may reduce your payment plan by the amount of your credit balance, so it's less money that you have to pay out every month.
Otherwise, after your last payment is made for the semester, we can refund the amount that is showing as a credit on the account to the TMS payment plan payer.
Tuition Remission
Who qualifies for Tuition Remission?
An employee, spouse and dependent child can qualify for tuition remission.
Spouses of the employee can only qualify if they are auditing the class.
Do I have to apply every year for tuition remission?
Yes, the employee will need to complete a new form every academic year for their spouse/partner or dependent student.
The summer sessions will need a separate form.
Tuition Remission benefits are automatically credited for eligible employees when they register for classes.
Will I be able to use the tuition remission benefit at any college?
No, you may only use UVM tuition remission at the VT State Colleges (Castleton State, Community College of VT, Johnson State, Lyndon State, and VT Technical College).
When an organization, not owned by you or a family member, makes a commitment to pay your educational expenses, they are considered a third party.
A common example would be an employer that pays tuition for their employees.
I have received my bill but a “Third Party” wants to pay it. What do I need to do?
Students are asked to have their employer forward a Purchase Order to our office, if they plan to pay for the tuition and/or fees regardless of the final grade.
The PO should include the student’s name, ID#, term, the course being taken and the amount the employer will be paying on the student’s behalf.
If the employer needs to see a copy of the student’s bill, the student can print one off of their account.
UVM will not send employers copies of student bills.
We would only bill an employer after receiving a Purchase Order.
I have received my bill but my employer wants to pay it, can you send them a bill?
Yes, Student Financial Services will gladly send a bill to your employer if we receive their authorization on company letterhead.
This authorization must include your name, your Social Security number, and the dollar amount your employer is willing to pay.
If your bill is not paid in full by the due date you may be charged a $250 late payment fee and have a hold placed on your record blocking you from adding or dropping courses until your payment has been received.
Can the late fee be reversed?
If you have been charged a late payment fee and feel that the fee was charged in error, you may appeal it.
Click here to obtain the appeal form.
A hold may remain on your account until the appeal is either granted or the payment has been made depending upon the time within the semester.
What does it mean to have a "HOLD" on my student account?
If you have an outstanding balance on your student account we may find it necessary to take any or all of the following steps: placing a hold on your right to register for subsequent semesters; withholding your grades and transcripts; and withholding your diploma.
Financial Holds will not prevent the student from attending classes already on their schedule or from moving into their room or using their meal plan.
Applying for Financial Aid
How do I apply for financial aid?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the only application required to apply for financial aid at the University of Vermont.
Students who complete the aid application process are considered for all federal, state, and University student financial aid programs.
Please note that the Federal Processor must receive the FAFSA by our priority deadline in order for the student to be considered for all available aid programs.
Note:No other forms (e.g., the College Board's Profile form) are required to be considered for student financial aid at the University of Vermont.
Does UVM use the CSS profile?
No, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application UVM requires to be considered for most financial aid funds.
When do I need to apply?
Please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) as soon after January 1 as possible.
The FAFSA must be received by the Department of Education by February 10th if you are a new student, or March 1st if you are a returning student, in order for you to receive priority consideration for available student financial aid programs.
If I only want a loan do I still need to fill out a FAFSA?
You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to borrow a federal loan.
Some alternative loans do not require completion of the FAFSA but it is recommended that you have a current FAFSA on file so that the University can consider you for all possible aid programs.
What if I missed the priority deadline to file the FAFSA? Can I still apply for financial aid?
The University of Vermont's priority deadline for financial aid consideration is February 10 for first-year undergraduate students and March 1 for returning students.
If these dates have passed you can still complete the FAFSA to be considered for any available forms of financial aid.
Do I need to apply for financial aid each year?
Yes, students are required to complete the FAFSA every year.
Because family circumstances may change, your financial aid eligibility must be determined annually.
There is no automatic renewal of need based financial aid awards at UVM.
Do I need to do anything different for financial aid as a transfer student?
Yes, as a transfer student you should be sure that you have updated the FAFSA to include UVM’s school code of 003696 so that we can receive your FAFSA from the Department of Education.
You should also be sure that you have transferred any scholarships or state grants that you receive to UVM from the institution that you attended previously.
Can I get Financial Aid for Studying Abroad?
Under some circumstances financial aid recipients may use a portion or all of their UVM financial aid awards for the required expenses associated with studying overseas and in some domestic exchange programs.
Read additional information.
How do I apply for Financial Aid if I am going to be studying abroad?
If you plan to study overseas or off-campus in a University-sanctioned program, you must apply for financial aid just as if you were remaining on the UVM campus for that academic period.
You will need a FAFSA for academic year during which you will be studying abroad.
You also must submit to Student Financial Services a completed copy of the Study Abroad Approval Form provided by the Office of International Educational.
OIE will assist you in completing your Study Abroad Budget Sheet.
Is there a way to estimate how much financial aid I will receive?
For incoming students, beginning in mid March, after any/all requested documentation has been received and reviewed by Student Financial Services, you will receive an official financial aid award letter.
If you have not returned required information by April you will be issued a Financial Aid Planning Letter that will detail an estimated financial aid award package based upon information submitted on the FAFSA.
This award is an estimate only and will not be finalized until all required information has been submitted and reviewed.
For returning students, beginning in mid June, after any requested documentation has been received and reviewed Student Financial Services, you will receive an official award offer.
You will receive an email sent to your UVM email account prompting you to log in to the UVM Student Information System to view your official award and to accept and/or decline your award offer.
I did not apply for financial aid my first year but my family’s financial circumstances have changed, can I still request aid after my first year?
Yes, because family circumstances may change, financial aid eligibility is determined each year based on the current FAFSA information.
Our insurance company has requested verification of enrollment – How can I get this?
The University of Vermont's Federal school code for filing the FAFSA is 003696.
My parents do not support me financially; does that make me an independent student?
While the Federal Student Aid programs are based on the family being the student’s first source of a student’s support, a student cannot automatically be considered independent if they reach the age of 18 or 21, or live apart from their parents.
While there are some unusual cases in which a dependent student could appeal to be considered an independent student, none of the conditions listed below, singly or in combination, qualify as unusual circumstances meriting a depen¬dency override:
Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education;
Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification;
Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes;
Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.
Dependent versus Independent students
What is the difference between dependent and independent?
If the student is considered a dependent of his parents, information on the income and assets of the parents must be included on the FAFSA.
An EFC will then be calculated based on the parent’s contribution and student’s contribution.
A student’s dependency status is not affected by the student living apart from their parents or reaching the age of 18 or 21.
For the 2008–09 year, a student is independent if he meets any of the following criteria from HEA Sec. 480(d), i.e., if s/he:
was born before January 1, 1985
will be a graduate or professional student
is married as of the date he applies
has dependents other than a spouse
is an orphan
is or was until 18 a ward/dependent of the court
is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or
is currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training
Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, a student will also be considered independent if s/he:
was in foster care at any time when age 13 or older
was or is an emancipated minor as determined by a course in his or her state of residentce.
was or is in a legal guardianship.
certain youths who are homeless and unaccompanied or are at risk of homelessness may also be considered independent. Contact Student Financial Services for more information if you feel this applies.
What if my parents are divorced?
The FAFSA only takes into account the financial situation of the custodial parent, or the parent that the student has spent the greatest amount of time with in the year prior to enrollment in college.
If you do not live with either parent, or if you lived with each parent an equal amount of time, the parent that provided a greater amount of financial support would be considered your custodial parent.
If the custodial parent has remarried, the financial information of the stepparent would also be included.
The Federal Parent PLUS loan program is available as a loan option for either parent, whether they are the custodial or non-custodial parent.
What if my family’s financial situation has changed?
If you have a change in the financial situation since the filing of the FAFSA you can submit written documentation to the Student Financial Services Office for review.
This information is reviewed on a case by case basis.
If you are able to provide adequate documentation supporting the special circumstances it is possible that we may be able to adjust the financial aid award to reflect the current financial situation.
Verification
How do I check the status of my application?
Go to the check status section of this website.
Log in using your UVM ID and PIN, Click on "Financial Aid," "Status of My Financial Aid Application/Award" (make sure to select the appropriate academic year.
How do I view my outstanding requirements?
To view any outstanding documentation needed to complete your financial aid application just follow the steps below: Follow directions above.
If one of your requirements says "Additional information required," click on this wording and a message will appear with instructions of what specifically we are looking for.
What is the Verification process?
The verification process is the process by which schools verify information provided by students and parents according to procedures established by federal regulations.
A student can be selected for the verification process by the school or by the Central Processor of the US Department of Education.
If a student is selected for verification the school’s financial aid office must check the information reported on the FAFSA, usually by reviewing copies of the tax returns filed along with the school’s own verification worksheets.
Is there a deadline for turning in any outstanding requirements?
Although there is not one set due date, it is best that you send the documents to us as soon as possible, as we can not finalize a financial aid award without completing our review of the required documents.
For first year students, if you have not returned required information by April you will be issued a Financial Aid Planning Letter that will detail an estimated financial aid award package based upon information submitted on the FAFSA.
This award is an estimate only and will not be finalized until all required information has been submitted and reviewed.
Work Study
What is work study and how do I apply?
The Federal College Work Study Program is a need-based work program funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
If you are eligible for the work study program, it will be offered to you in your financial aid award.
UVM Career Services assists eligible UVM students in finding work-study positions, as well as other employment.
My workstudy has been cancelled, can I get it back?
No, unfortunately, if you did not contact Career Services by the October 1st deadline to inform them of your plans, you would not be eligible to participate in the Federal Work Study program this academic year.
Please be sure to file your FASFA by the March 1st deadline to perhaps be eligible for the next academic year.
How is work study paid?
Work-Study is the one form of aid that does not credit directly to your student account.
Instead, the money is paid directly to you as you earn it (for example, a student with an allotment of $1,500 works, on average, 6-8 hours per week in order to earn the entire allocation).
Is there a limit to how much I can work with the Federal work study program?
Yes, your award allotment is the maximum amount you are permitted to earn from the Work-Study Program during the academic semester and year.
What if I am not offered work study?
Work-Study is a form of need-based financial aid.
If your award package does not include Work-Study and you are interested in part-time employment, we suggest you visit UVM’s Career Services Office, www.uvm.edu/~career, which maintains updated listings of non-Work-Study jobs in the Burlington area.
Grants and Scholarships
Does UVM offer merit aid?
Yes, UVM offers a number of merit-based scholarships.
All first-year applicants are automatically considered on the basis of their Admissions application.
Scholarship notifications are sent separately from admission decision letters, and admitted students are typically notified of scholarship eligibility within one to two weeks of receiving their letter of admission.
Where can I get information about additional scholarships?
What if I receive scholarships from sources other than UVM?
Following federal guidelines, the Student Financial Services office is required to take all financial resources into account when determining your eligibility for financial aid.
Please notify our office in writing as soon as you are informed of this outside assistance and include any relevant documentation.
We will make every attempt to reduce your need-based loans and work programs before adjusting any need-based grant or University scholarship assistance.
Please realize that, in some cases, if the amount of your additional resource is higher than your loans and work programs, we may be required to reduce your need-based grant and/or scholarship funds.
Once notified of any outside assistance, we will make an adjustment to your award and send you a new award notification.
What is the difference between a UVM Out of State grant and a grant issued by my home state?
Eligibility for state grants is determined by the state grant agency that awards these funds.
The UVM Student Financial Services Office does not play a role in determining eligibility.
However, state grants will be used in our assessment of remaining need before determining eligibility for UVM grant and loan funding.
In most cases, this will result in a reduction to UVM aid if a state grant is awarded or changed after UVM assistance has been awarded.
What is the difference between a UVM Grant and a Vermont Student Incentive Grant?
Eligibility for Vermont Student Incentive Grants is determined by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC).
The UVM Student Financial Services Office does not play a role in determining eligibility.
However, state grants will be used in our assessment of remaining need before determining eligibility for UVM grant and loan funding.
In most cases, this will result in a reduction to UVM aid if a state grant is awarded or changed after UVM assistance has been awarded.
Vermont students are encouraged to apply for VSAC grants and scholarships each year.
What if I don’t qualify for grants or scholarships?
All students have a variety of other financing options to consider.
Many elect to participate in federal loan programs or private alternative loan programs.
Students may also choose our University Payment Plan.
Simon Scholarship FAQ
Do I need to meet all eligibility criteria to be considered for the Simon Scholarship?
Yes. In order to be considered for the Simon Family Scholarship, you must meet all eligibility criteria:
Demonstrate a record of academic excellence, leadership, and active involvement in community service
Demonstrate a high level of financial need
Be a first-time, first-year, out of state student admitted to the College of Arts & Sciences
What do you mean by high financial need?
Financial need is based solely on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that is generated by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students with the EFCs between $0 and $15,000 will be given preference in the application process.
Students' applications may not be considered if their EFC exceeds $20,000.
How can I file the FAFSA by January 15th if I have not completed my previous year’s taxes?
You may file the FAFSA using estimated income information.
Once your family completes your taxes for the prior year, you will need to update the FAFSA with actual income information.
When will I hear if I have been awarded the Simon Scholarship?
You will receive notification of a Simon Scholarship decision by mid-February.
If you are selected as one of the top three candidates, you will be required to visit UVM for an on-campus interview in late March.
If I am selected as a Simon Family Scholar, what service commitment will be expected of me as a UVM student?
Simon Scholars are expected to make a significant contribution to the campus or Burlington community through their involvement in student clubs, community service organizations and leadership roles.
Typically Scholars are asked to contribute at least eight hours per week of service during the academic year.
Are there more scholarships available after my child proves they are brilliant and will be the future President?
Due to limited funding, it is unlikely that a student will be awarded additional scholarships once they are enrolled.
Generally, the students who were awarded scholarships as new first year students will keep their scholarships provided they maintain eligibility.
Outside Aid
What kind of Financial Aid can I get as a Graduate Student?
The University has several options designed to help graduate students finance their UVM education.
Student Financial Services can provide detailed information on how to apply for and receive federal financial aid.
Information on funding from the Graduate College.
How do I find out about discounted rates for students from New England states in certain areas of study?
The New England Regional Student Program is an opportunity for qualified legal residents of New England states to enroll at reduced rates for programs which are not offered by the home state university but are offered in another New England state.
A listing of available programs at UVM is available at NEBHE.org. Applicants must indicate clearly, both in their initial inquiries and on their application forms, that they are seeking admission under the terms of the New England Regional Student Program.
I am eligible to receive Veteran’s Benefits. How does this affect my financial aid?
If you are eligible for Veteran’s Benefits you can also apply for additional financial aid for the remaining amount needed to meet your educational expenses.
The University offers advising to any veteran or dependent eligible for benefits under Federal Law, Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, or 106.
Students eligible for these benefits should contact the Registrar's Office at least one month prior to registration each semester.
Students wishing to register for benefits should be prepared to present their certificates of eligibility.
What if I am awarded a grant from my home state?
State grants are used in our assessment of financial need and for determining eligibility for UVM grant and loan funding.
In most cases, if you have been awarded UVM assistance and you are then awarded a state grant, this will result in a reduction to UVM aid.
Financial Aid Awards
Will UVM match my award from another institution?
No, UVM does not negotiate financial aid awards based on offers from other institutions.
The University of Vermont has limited financial resources, which require strict adherence to budgetary guidelines.
We have structured our financial aid awarding procedures to use all available funds, calculating the most generous award possible for every deserving student within the overall constraints imposed by our budget.
Does financial aid continue after my first year?
Students are required to complete the FAFSA every year.
Because family circumstances may change, your financial aid eligibility must be determined annually.
There is no automatic renewal of financial aid awards at UVM.
Your FAFSA must be received each year by the Federal Processor no later than March 1 to meet the UVM priority funding deadline.
Students whose FAFSA’s are received by the processor after the March 1 deadline will receive reduced levels of aid because priority for limited UVM financial aid funding is given to students who meet published deadlines.
Merit based aid is dependent upon the terms of the individual scholarship and whether the student continues to maintain eligibility.
Students who received merit based aid should consult their original award letter regarding the terms of the scholarship.
Does living off campus affect my financial aid?
No, students receive the same amount of financial aid regardless of where they live.
They either have room and board charges on their bill (if living on campus) or they don't.
For those students that don't live on campus, in order to use financial aid for their off campus expenses, they need to accept enough financial aid to cover the tuition and fees and also enough aid to overpay their account, therefore generating a credit balance.
We will then process a refund, which can be used for their living expenses off campus.
Is there financial aid available if I need to purchase a computer?
New students at the University of Vermont are strongly encouraged to have computer access.
Students who need financial help in purchasing a computer may request assistance from the Financial Aid Office.
While no specific sources of student financial aid are available for students to purchase a computer, the Financial Aid Office will make every effort to assist students in locating alternative funding sources in the form of student loans.
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, you must progress at a rate that ensures completion of your degree program within a reasonable time frame.
In order to make progress consistent with this minimum standard, beginning with your first semester of study in a degree program at the University of Vermont, you are required to accumulate earned hours totaling at least 75% of the number of hours attempted.
Your progress will be measured at least at the end of each academic year to ensure adherence to this standard.
Beginning with your third academic year, you must have attained at least a 2.0 overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) in order to continue to qualify for assistance.
If you do not meet the standard described above, you will be placed on Financial Aid Probationary Status for a one-year period (during which aid eligibility will be maintained).
Should you not meet the required credit standard or cumulative grade point average standard by the end of that probationary year, your eligibility for additional financial aid will be suspended until you have met the required standard.
Accepting/Declining Awards
How do I accept or decline my awards?
To accept or decline your financial aid award, please log into your SIS account, select: Student Financial Services, Financial Aid, Accept/Decline Award Offers, Select the Aid Year and click Submit.
This will allow you to view your financial aid offering and choose to accept or decline these items individually.
Is there a deadline to accept or decline my loan offers?
No, there is no 'deadline' to select a lender and accept/decline your loans, however you would want to leave yourself enough time to get your loans in place to pay your bill by the due date.
As a general rule, you would probably want to accept/decline your loans about one month beforehand to sign promissory notes and complete any entrance counseling that may be necessary.
You can technically accept them through the last day of classes for the semester, but by then you would most likely have a late fee and a hold on your account.
Do I have to accept/decline each item at the same time, or can I pick one or two one day and select another one next week?
Aid does not need to be accepted or declined at the same time.
If you are unsure about whether you should accept a particular aid item you can leave it at offered and go back in later to accept it.
How do I accept a partial amount of my loan?
To accept a partial amount of a loan, pick ‘Yes’ from the drop down box in the ‘Award Decision’ column and indicate the amount of the loan that you would like to accept in the ‘Accept Partial Amount’ column.
This amount needs to be in a whole dollar amount and without dollar signs, commas or decimal points.
The loan will then be split 50/50 if your financial aid award has been set up for the year.
If you are looking for a semester only loan, you will need to email SFS with your name, student id, and specific request so that we can make this change for you.
Can I accept loans after I decline them?
In some circumstances you may be able to request to have a loan that you previously declined.
While we will need this request in writing, please contact our office for additional assistance on what aid you may be eligible for.
Can I request an increase in a loan that I didn’t accept in full?
In some circumstances you may be able to request to increase a loan which you previously didn’t accept in full.
While we will need the request in writing, you can contact our office for additional assistance on whether eligibility remains for this increased loan amount.
Loans
Why are my loans pending on my bill?
Pending loans shown on your bill indicate that the loan has been accepted on your financial aid award however they may still require additional steps to complete the loan process for disbursement.
We show these loans on your bill in order to help you review your bill.
What is an Alternative loan? How do I apply?
Alternative loans are commercial student loans that are not subsidized or insured by the federal government.
Alternative loans are available through some banks, guaranty agencies, and secondary student loan markets at varied interest rates.
To apply, you would contact the lender of your choice directly to determine whether they offer alternative loans for students.
Some of the lenders for the federal student loans also offer alternative loans.
How do I choose a lender for my Stafford or Parent PLUS loan?
Federal Stafford or PLUS loan borrowers may choose any lender that participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).
The basic terms of the loans (maximum interest rate, maximum fees, and deferment options) are set by the federal government.
However, many lenders offer special borrower benefits.
The University of Vermont encourages you to compare the benefits offered by different lenders so that you can make an informed choice.
It is important that students and parents understand that there are about 2,000 lenders that offer FFELP loans.
If you need assistance in choosing a lender, we have prepared a recommended lender list.
What if my parent is denied the Parent PLUS loan?
Dependent students whose parents are unable to borrow PLUS loans due to adverse credit may receive additional unsubsidized Stafford loans.
The increased loan amounts may not substitute entirely for the amount a parent may borrow under the PLUS program.
A copy of the Parent PLUS loan denial should be provided to UVM along with a written request from the student for the additional unsubsidized Stafford funds.
What if I am denied the Parent PLUS loan?
Dependent students whose parents are unable to borrow PLUS loans due to adverse credit may receive additional unsubsidized Stafford loans.
The increased loan amounts may not substitute entirely for the amount a parent may borrow under the PLUS program.
A copy of the Parent PLUS loan denial should be provided to UVM along with a written request from the student for the additional unsubsidized Stafford funds.
When does aid disburse to my student account?
The earliest that federal aid and alternative loans will disburse to your account is 10 days before the start of UVM classes.
Other types of aid such as UVM loans or scholarships and grants will pay to your account July 1 and December 1 at the earliest.
Disbursement of financial aid to the student’s account is dependent on the student completing any outstanding requirements such as entrance counseling interviews, signing of the promissory note, etc.
Study Abroad
Is there financial aid available for students studying abroad?
Under some circumstances financial aid recipients may use a portion or all of their UVM financial aid awards for the required expenses associated with studying overseas and in some domestic exchange programs.
Please note: financial aid will not be available for coursework taken from another institution if it is not a UVM sanctioned off-campus program approved by the Office of International Education.
Will I need to file a FAFSA for next year if I am abroad?
Yes, you must reapply for financial aid each year.
The priority deadline for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for returning students is March 1st.
If you will be overseas between January 1st and March 1st, be sure to make arrangements to file your FAFSA online.
Their contact information is:
ECSI
181 Montour Run Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108
Tele: 1-888-549-3274
www.ecsi.net.
Tuition Collection Accounts
What are these charges for, and how can I view old statements? How do I pay my bill online?
See section above on bill paying.
What is my UVM ID#?
This is a 9 digit number which takes the place of your Social Security Number.
It begins with 95X-XX-XXXX.
If you can’t remember it, please contact SFS at (802) 656-5700 or the Registrar’s Office at (802) 656-2045.
Can I set up a payment plan for my past due balance?
When all other payment methods have been exhausted, we will set up a payment plan for the remaining balance.
Please contact our Customer Service Collections office at (802) 656-4345 or email at csc@uvm.edu.
How can I get a transcript with a Hold on my account?
You will not be able to obtain a transcript with the Hold on your account.
The Hold will not be removed until the balance on the account is paid in full.
How do I contact the collection agency my account is placed with?
If your account is placed with Delta Management call 1-800-688-6337.
If your account is placed with General Revenue Corporation call 1-800-234-1472.
