Financial Aid:You can’t afford to miss

this!

New Student Orientation 2015

Color Coded Happiness:

You received a half-slip indicating where you are in the process:Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Orange• By understanding the colors, you will

understand the process.

BLUE: You have not applied for Federal Aid

• It isn’t too late!

• www.FAFSA.gov

• It is a FREE application

• IRS Data Retrieval

Red: Additional documentation is needed to award you Federal Aid

• Visit your PAWS account for any “To Do” items

• Processing time frames vary

• Verification, Selective Service, Citizenship

Yellow: Your Financial Aid is in process

• Watch your PAWS account

Green: Congratulations!!! You have been awarded Federal Aid

• You must accept your federal aid within 30 days of being awarded on your PAWS account

Now What?!

• Electronic Consent

Orange: You were awarded but did not accept with in the 30 day window

• Email our office at: finaid@uwm.edu

What should you do?

OR

• visit us tomorrow to request your funding back

Your Financial Aid

• Gift Aid Grants or scholarships: funding that does not have to be

repaid

• Self Help Aid Federal Work Study: Work and pay for school; does not

have to be repaid. Federal Loans: funding that must be repaid after you finish

school

Federal Direct Loans

Subsidized• Fixed interest rate of

4.29%• No interest

Unsubsidized• Fixed interest rate of

4.29%• Interest while in

schoolFor both loans, repayment begins after graduation or the student

stops attending at least half time

Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan

Counseling

All first time borrowers must complete this process at:

www.studentloans.gov

Timely disbursement of Aid

• Must accept aid• Earliest payment is 10 days prior to

first day of classes• August 23rd

• Must report any outside resources:– Scholarships, DVR

• Must notify us if taking less than 12 credits

• Must complete MPN and ELC

Everything you need in one spot:

www.financialaid.uwm.edu– Ask the Panther– The student handbook– PAWS tutorial– Presentations and Handouts

Academic Progress

• Students are obligated to make progress towards a degree

• To measure that progress you are given a certain timeframe to complete your degree in (180 credits) with a 66.67% completion rate.

• Dropping and failing classes impact this progress

• Read the handbook for specific details

Third Party Access

You will be able to grant access your

PAWS Account.

Questions?

Department of Financial Aid, Student Employment and Military Education

Benefits2442 E. Kenwood Blvd

Mellencamp Hall, rm 162PO Box 469

Milwaukee, WI(414)229-4541