Financial Aid Award FAQ's
When should I expect my award letter?
The Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services will be sending out award letters for the 2007 - 2008 academic year beginning April 1, 2007 and will continue to send them out throughout the aid year depending on when you filed your FAFSA.
What is my student ID number?
Your student ID number is located at the top right corner of your financial aid award letter. This is your student ID number that you were assigned when you applied for admission to UTSA. You will use your Banner ID to check all information pertaining to your personal records while attending UTSA. Your Banner ID will be your 'user name' when logging into ASAP to accept your financial aid award.
What does Cost of Attendance mean?
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is determined by The Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services each year and is based on the average costs a student will incur for each semester. Included in the COA are average tuition and fee costs, a book allowance, a room and board allowance (on-campus, off-campus and at-home), transportation and personal/miscellaneous expenses. The COA assigned to you will be determined by the answer to the student's housing question on the FAFSA form. Please remember that your COA may be higher than your actual direct cost at UTSA. For example, if you are living at home with your parents, you will only be required to pay tuition and fees and incur book costs as your direct charges. For more information please review our Cost of Attendance page.
Explain what Financial Aid Awards/Types of Awards mean?
This is what you are eligible to receive in financial assistance while attending UTSA, based on the information submitted on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Starting with the 2007-08 award year all students will be awarded based on their response to question #25 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating expected enrollment. Students who responded “Three-Quarter”, “Half-Time”, “Less Than Half-Time”, or “Don’t Know” will be awarded with a part time cost of attendance and part time award. All students who respond full time will be awarded with a full time cost of attendance and full time award.
What is an EFC and how is my financial aid determined?
The Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services follow the federal methodology and regulations established by the Department of Education (ED) to determine your need and eligibility for financial aid. We are required to establish a cost of attendance for each student then subtract your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine your remaining need. The EFC number is calculated by the Education Department and is based on the information you provide on your FAFSA form. You will find your Estimated Cost of Attendance, Resources, EFC and Remaining Need listed on your award letter. Resources such as veteran’s benefits listed on your FAFSA, tuition exemptions and waivers, and employer reimbursements will affect your total financial aid package and may be awarded after funds have been disbursed.
How is financial aid awarded?
UTSA awards financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis depending on student need. It is best to fill out your FAFSA early to give you a higher possibility of receiving grant funding. The Texas priority deadline for financial aid is March 31. You may fill out your FAFSA after this date however, most grant funding will already be exhausted. UTSA encourages its students to file earlier than March 31 due to the amount of students we have at the university that are eligible for grant funding.
Is my financial aid award divided by semester?
Yes, award amounts are divided in two for the fall and spring terms. For students who attend UTSA for the first time in the spring term, they are award a 'spring only' award. If you plan to attend for summer 2007, we advise you to submit a Summer Application to the Enrollment Services Center so that your Stafford Loan funds can be divided between the three semesters (fall/spring/summer).
How do I accept my financial aid awards?
You may accept your awards online by logging on to ASAP or by returning your award letter that you received in the mail to the Enrollment Services Center. Students will be notified of their financial aid award by mail.
My award says I must submit documents to complete my file. How do I get these forms and where do I take them?
Financial aid awards will not pay towards your Tuition and Fees until all required documents are submitted and processed. Your award letter and ASAP will inform you of the documents needed to complete your file. Forms can be downloaded and printed online . Forms can be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center in the lower level of the JPL (John Peace Library building) or faxed to (210) 458-4638.
What if I need more financial aid that what I received?
There are numerous ways to receive financial aid funding. A popular choice is to apply for an alternative loan. These loans are typically credit-based and require cosigners with good credit ratings. Texas residents often choose the College Access Loan (CAL). You can apply for the CAL online at www.hhloans.com. Additional Alternative Loan information is available on our website.
How do I apply for scholarships?
UTSA has a general scholarship application available online at www.utsa.edu/scholarships. We must receive the application in our office by February 15. If you were unable to apply for this scholarship, please use their website for information on other UTSA scholarship opportunities as well as online databases for outside scholarships.
What if I'm graduating in the fall term but I was awarded for fall/spring?
You must contact our office immediately so we may adjust your award accordingly. Fall graduates who were awarded Stafford Loans must have their loans prorated based on enrollment as required by the Department of Education (ED).
More Questions?
For further questions please contact Enrollment Services Center at 800-669-0919 or send an email to financialaid@utsa.edu. For security purposes, only emails sent from a UTSA Lonestar email account will be responded to. You can access your UTSA Lonestar email at https://lonestar.utsa.edu/webmail.