Checking Your Financial Aid Status
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Here's an introduction on how to check your financial aid status, respond to your aid awards, or view a summary of the financial aid award amounts accepted by you and paid to your student account. If a financial aid hold exists on your record, it will be displayed. If you're ready with your University Internet identification (X.500 username) and password, click on the Quick Link, "Financial Aid Status."
Accessing your financial aid online
When you choose "Financial Aid Status," the University's Internet login screen to a secured database will appear. Enter your University of Minnesota Internet ID (X.500 username) and password. This ensures that you are the only person, in addition to authorized University personnel, who have access to your information online.
If this is your first time using your Internet account, you will be prompted to initiate your account. Otherwise, enter the requested information and click "login." If you need assistance, use the technology helpline telephone number on the page.
After you enter your University Internet identification and password, you will see the status of your financial aid application. When you have awards to which you must respond, you will be provided with an active lick to your electronic Financial Aid Award Notice (eFAAN).
If you select "Your Financial Aid Awards"
The financial aid awards summary page displays the financial aid funds offered to you, accepted by you, and the amounts paid to your student account. The "How Was My Aid Calculated" link found on the awards summary page will provide your cost of attendance and expected family contribution information.
Respond to electronic Financial Aid Award Notice (eFAAN)
If you have one or more financial aid award(s) which require your response, Step 4 - "Respond to electronic Financial Aid Award Notice (eFAAN)" will be active. Please respond promptly to your eFAAN which lists the financial aid award amounts available to you for the academic year. For each award offer, you must indicate one of three responses: accept, decline, or reduce.
Some gift aid awards (money you do not have to repay, such as grants and scholarships) are already accepted for you. Other gift aid, such as fellowships or waivers, may be accepted or declined.
Student loans and work-study awards will have the options of accept, decline, or accept for a reduced amount. The loans offered to you are the maximum amount you are eligible to borrow so it is important that you think carefully about your expenses and accept only what you need. If you choose the reduce option, you must indicate the reduced amount in the field provided by the "Reduce" check box.
For more information about your individual financial aid awards, click on the award name to see a description of the award. Some awards have minimum enrollment requirements for payment or require additional steps, such as completing a promissory note.
Completing your eFAAN online
In addition to indicating which awards you accept, reject, or reduce, you must complete the eFAAN sections described here.
Enrollment plans
You will report the terms you plan to attend during the academic year. When we calculated your financial aid awards, we assumed you would attend full time both fall and spring semesters. If you will not attend fall and/or spring semesters, please let us know so we can revise your aid accordingly. If you will enroll for less than a full-time credit load, you do not need to inform us now. We will read your enrollment automatically at the beginning of the semester and revise your aid at the end of the cancel/add period.
Payment authorization
Your permission is needed in order to apply financial aid to all charges in your student account. If you want financial aid to pay any and all charges that exist in your student account at the time of financial aid disbursement check 'yes.' If you prefer that financial aid payments be restricted to pay only tuition, required fees, and on-campus room and board charges (if any exist), check 'no.'
Please note: If you check 'no,' you may receive a financial aid credit balance refund (via direct deposit to your bank checking or savings account) for the balance remaining in your account and still have a balance due to the University.
Submitting your eFAAN
After submitting your responses you will see a confirmation page that recaps your responses. Your responses are also automatically e-mailed to your University e-mail address. Your responses will be reflected on the "Financial Aid Status" pages through the "Your Financial Aid Awards" link once they have been processed by the Office of Student Finance. Until then, you may view your awards but the changes you requested will not be reflected.
After I submit my responses, what's next?
Your responses will be processed and your financial aid prepared for disbursement. If you accepted a student loan, you will be notified by University e-mail if you need to complete an electronic promissory note prior to your loan disbursement. If a paper promissory note is required for any of your loans, it will be sent to your current mailing address on file with the University.
Your financial aid awards are disbursed in equal amounts at the start of each semester. You will be sent a University e-mail confirming that your aid has been disbursed electronically to your University student account if you have:
- registered on time for the minimum number of credits required by your financial aid award program(s);
- completed all necessary paperwork (including promissory notes, if required); and
- no holds on your record that would prevent disbursement of your aid.
