Start Your Financial Journey this Spring
In case you are wondering what we do...
Student Financial Services (SFS) serves our UVM students and families the following ways:
- Billing office for tuition, fees, housing and meals, and related charges.
- Financial aid administration of both federal and institutional aid, along with administering the Federal work-study program
- Loan repayment office
- Process student and parent refunds
- Process both UVM and non-UVM (outside) scholarships
Steps to Success
Welcome to UVM Student Financial Services. We hope that you will take a moment to watch this short video welcoming you to our office and learn your next steps for a successful start to your financial journey at UVM.
Your Next Steps for Financial Aid and Your Student Bill
By Late November: Finalize your financial aid and make your health insurance decision
Complete Your Tasks in the UVM Aid Verification Portal
You have received an email requesting that additional information is need to complete review of your financial aid application. View this guide for an overview of the UVM Aid Verification Portal and how to complete additional tasks that have been requested.
Learn More About the Federal Work-Study Program
Did you receive an offer for federal work-study in your aid offer? Are you considering working this spring? If yes, watch our guide on the federal work-study program and see Student Employment's federal work-study for more information.
The Difference Between Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Use our guide to help understand the difference between a Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. Explore more information about these loans at Federal Direct Loan Information or at StudentAid.gov.
Accept Your Financial Aid
Follow our guide for how to accept your financial aid offer here at UVM. For more tips on completing the accept and/or decline process visit, How to Apply for Financial Aid and go to Step 6: Accept and Finalize Your Aid Offer.
Complete your Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
You've already accepted your aid. Complete your Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling or Master Promissory Note (MPN) so you loans will disburse by the bill due date.
Complete Your Online Health Insurance Decision/Waiver Form
For the spring semester, you must complete your health insurance decision/waiver form. This form will need to be completed annually. View the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) page for additional insurance information, including benefit information, and to access the form.
By Late November: Establish your proxy and review your billing and payment options
Establish a Proxy for Your Account
If someone will be helping you through the financial aspects of your education, you'll want to establish them as a Proxy using this step-by-step guide. Unless you have established a Proxy, our office will not be able to speak with anyone other than you about the details of your financial aid, billing, or federal tax information. Learn more about Proxy Access.
Submit Your Outside Scholarships
Congratulations on receiving a scholarship! View our guide for an overview and how to notify our office and send in your scholarship payments. You can visit our page on submitting outside scholarship information for additional detailed information with addresses.
Learn More About Our Monthly Payment Plan Option
One payment option to consider is a monthly payment plan. View our step-by-step guide to learn about the plan and how to set one up. Learn more about the monthly payment plan option or other payment options you can consider to settle your bill.
How Your Parent Can Apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
If your parent is planning to borrow through the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan to help finance your education, have them view this step-by-step guide. Find out the particulars for this loan at Federal Loan Information and then have them begin the process of Applying for a PLUS Loan through Federal Student Aid.
Learn More About Private Educational Loans
One option to consider when financing your education is a private educational loan. View our guide for an overview of private educational loans or visit our private educational loan page for considerations to ask when shopping around for a loan or to link to the loan comparison tool.
Early to Mid-December: Request a payment from your 529 plan, if applicable
Using Your 529 Plan
After you have reviewed your bill, you can request a payment from your 529 Administrator so that it is received prior to the billing due date. Review this guide to learn how to request your 529 payment from your Administrator and what we need to make sure your payment arrives on-time to your student account. For more information about 529 Plans and other ways to finance your UVM education please view our payment options page.
By Early January: Resolve your bill by the due date
Set Up Direct Deposit to Receive your Financial Aid Refund if You are Eligible
Get an overview of the financial aid refund process here at UVM and learn how to set up direct deposit so you can receive yours if eligible. You can learn more about it on our Direct Deposit and Our Refund Policy page.
Other helpful guides as you begin your semester at UVM
Understanding the Difference Between Dropping Versus Withdrawing from a Class
Are you considering dropping or withdrawing from one of your classes? If so, watch this guide to learn more about the difference between the two. The other important consideration is based upon the tuition refund schedule to determine what if any refund you will receive.
Catamount Family
- Become a key player in your student's success by viewing the family calendar (Vice Provost and Dean of Students Office) for yearly highlights.
- While UVM primarily will communicate with your student directly and encourages family communication, you can sign up to receive the Catamount Family Newsletter, sent from Vice Provost for Student Affairs. This is a monthly newsletter, tailored specifically for current parents and families and includes general advice and reminders, upcoming engagement opportunities, and important news from across the university.
- Learn about resources available to point your student towards success.