Office of Financial Assistance
We are ready to help you apply for and receive assistance to fund your education.
Use the links at left and below to learn more. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
START HERE: Guide to Financial Aid
Financial Aid News
Apply Now for Federal, State and Institutional Financial Aid for the 2014-2015 Academic Year
The time to apply for financial aid for the 2014-2015 academic year (Fall 2014, Spring 2015 and Summer 2015) is now by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Office of Financial Assistance encourages all students to apply as early as possible to avoid missing any grant opportunities. Our Federal School Code is 009333.
FAFSA Overview Video (StudentAid.gov)
How to Fill Out the FAFSA Video (StudentAid.gov)
You will need information from your (and your parent's) 2013 federal tax return but those tax returns do not need to have been filed with the IRS for you to be able to complete and submit the FAFSA. If you filed the FAFSA last year for the 2013-2014 academic year, please just update the information and submit the FAFSA today if you have not already done so. You will find additional information and tips on how to apply and how you can submit your FAFSA application for 2014-2015 by clicking here.
Applicants are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval process functionality within the FAFSA application. When completing the income sections of the FAFSA, the applicant is given the option to have this data retrieved directly from the IRS. If you have already completed your Federal Tax Return for 2013, please complete the IRS Data Retrieval process to transfer your 2013 Federal Tax Return information onto the FAFSA. The benefit of utilizing the IRS Data Retrieval process is that it will minimize your chances of being selected by the federal processor for the verification process. Follow the IRS Data Retrieval process directions on the FAFSA to complete the process. This is our preferred method.
Spring 2014 Financial Aid Disbursements/Refunds
Financial aid for the Spring 2014 semester has been occuring on an ongoing basis, twice a week, since Saturday, January 11th, 2014. Any funds exceeding your University charges after your student account has been paid in full will be refunded to you by University Student Financial Services and Cashier Operations (USFSCO). Spring 2014 financial aid refunds started occurring on an ongoing basis as of January 15th, 2014. An e-mail will be sent to your official university e-mail account once the refund has been processed.
The Spring 2014 semester started on Tuesday, January 21st, 2014. Please click on the “Check Your Financial Aid Status” link to the left to review your financial aid file status, as well as your student account summary and your E-bill via the Student Self-Service. Refunds will be direct deposited to your bank account by University Student Financial Services and Cashiers Operations (USFSCO). Direct deposit is mandatory for all student account refunds. If you have not already signed up, go to the USFSCO website for information on enrolling in direct deposit.
Financial Aid Processing Deadlines
The deadline for processing financial aid for the Fall 2013 semester is November 15, 2013; the Spring 2014 semester is April 15, 2014; the Summer 2014 semester is June 15, 2014. Please submit all required financial aid documents to our office prior to these dates. Applications received after these dates may not be processed.
E-Award Letters (Electronic Award Letters)
New and returning students applying for financial assistance will receive their financial aid award letters electronically. You will be notified that your e-award is ready to be viewed via an e-mail to your official UIS e-mail address, as well as any other e-mail addresses we may have on file for you. As such, it is extremely important to verify that your email account(s) are valid. Furthermore, you should be checking your official UIS email account regularly, at least once a week, for updates on your financial aid status and other important financial aid notifications or billing information. You will then be able to access your E-Award Letter by clicking on the “Check Your Financial Aid Status” link. Students will no longer receive paper award letters.
Federal Direct Loan Program
- Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note
- Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
- Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling
More Information
Search:
Federal School Code: 009333
Contact Us:
Phone:
(217) 206-6724
Fax:
(217) 206-7376
Email:
finaid@uis.edu
Postal Mail:
Office of Financial Assistance
University Hall,
Room 1015
One University Plaza
MS UHB 1015
Springfield, IL
62703-5407
