Do I need to be admitted to UNLV to receive a notice of financial aid eligibility from UNLV?

Yes. If you have not yet applied for admission, you can apply online. You must be admitted as a degree-seeking student in order to qualify for financial aid. To be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid you should be admitted and file your financial aid application (FAFSA) by November 15th prior to the academic year you plan to enroll at UNLV.

If I didn’t graduate from high school, can I still qualify for financial aid?

Yes. You must be admitted to UNLV and you may be asked to provide documentation of your ability to benefit from a college education. If documentation is needed, you will be notified of what you need to provide through your RebelMail.

How do I apply for financial aid?

To apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit our apply page for more information on deadlines and award notification.

I forgot my FSA ID to complete and sign the FAFSA. Can UNLV provide me my FSA ID?

Your FSA ID is unique between you and the U.S. Department of Education, and UNLV is prohibited from knowing your FSA ID. If you lose your FSA ID, you should use the Federal Student Aid retrieval page.

What is UNLV's Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) school code?

UNLV's federal FAFSA school code is 002569. Your FAFSA results are sent to schools identified by you using the FAFSA school code.

How can I be considered an independent student for financial aid purposes?

To be considered an independent student when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must meet one of the criteria found at the Dependent/Independent Applicant page.

Can I appeal my dependency status to be considered independent?

Financial Aid & Scholarships has a dependency appeal process for students who have extenuating circumstances regarding their relationship with their parents.

What is Financial Aid & Scholarships' priority deadline to be considered for financial aid?

The priority deadline to be considered for maximum financial aid programs is Nov. 15; however, you still may apply for financial aid. Learn more on our deadlines page.

How do I make corrections to my FAFSA?

If you find incorrect information on your FAFSA or you originally used estimated information and need to report actual figures, changes can be made online. You (and your parent if applicable) will need your FSA ID to sign your FAFSA again electronically.

If you find your information is incorrect after you have been awarded financial aid, you are obligated to correct your FAFSA information online. You could be billed for financial aid you are not eligible to keep.

How much does it cost to attend UNLV?

The tuition and fee costs to attend UNLV are very reasonable in comparison with other four-year state universities nationwide. Estimate and calculate your college expenses using our list of helpful calculators.

How do I apply for summer financial aid?

Students may apply for summer financial aid if they have a current FAFSA on file for the academic year. Visit our summer financial aid page for more details.

Why are you requesting my tax return and/or other documents?

Financial aid offices call this process "verification." The U.S. Department of Education allows schools to verify the accuracy of your information on the FAFSA application. Requests for information can also be random. Learn more on our verification page.

The verification process actually helps families. Limited financial aid dollars are supposed to go to students who qualify for the money according to federal, state, and institutional program rules. In some instances, students may actually receive more money because an error was found that increased the student's financial aid eligibility.

It is important to complete, sign, and submit all required information to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships’ third-party vendor (ProEdu). Your financial aid will not disburse (credit) to your cashiering account to pay tuition and fees until the necessary paperwork is submitted to this vendor for verification. You definitely want your financial aid to pay on time and avoid late non-payment fees.

How long does reviewing my tax return or other documents take by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office’s third-party vendor?

UNLV’s third-party vendor for verification is ProEdu. Their ProVerify System is an automated verification process that will review most submissions within 24 to 48 hours. Incomplete or delayed submissions by students can delay response times. Please submit any outstanding paperwork ASAP to minimize delays.

Can I use financial aid to cover child care expenses?

Yes, you may use financial aid to cover child care expenses. There is not a type of financial aid specifically for child care expenses, but if you have financial aid left over after your bill to UNLV has been paid, you may use the excess for child care and for other expenses. If you need more financial aid than what you are initially awarded, please contact a financial aid counselor to discuss your situation.

Will financial aid cover all my expenses?

It depends on your expenses. Financial aid is intended to cover costs related to your education and basic living costs. Financial aid is not intended to cover consumer debt, such as car payments or credit card payments, or to provide support for any other family members other than you, the student.

Why did I not receive a grant?

Grants are offered to students who met our Nov. 1 priority FAFSA application deadline and who demonstrated the lowest expected family contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA. The lower the EFC on the student's FAFSA record, the more likely a student may qualify for federal, state, or institutional grant programs.

Why did I not receive a scholarship?

Scholarship selection is a highly competitive process at any institution. Many qualified applicants unfortunately do not receive a scholarship award. Scholarship awards are based upon a variety of criteria established by the donor of the scholarship program, and very few scholarships awarded are based upon GPA only.

If you are applying for scholarships after the Nov. 15 priority deadline, you may still be eligible for funding. Our office awards scholarships to other students who decline their financial aid for other opportunities. You will be notified if you are awarded a scholarship later during the school year.

Why is my financial aid different this year from last year?

Each year, students are required to complete the FAFSA, which reflects the prior year's tax information. As you or your parent's income and asset information changes from year to year, your financial aid eligibility may change.

In addition to changes in your information, your aid can be affected by changes in funding received by UNLV at the federal, state, or university levels. Each year, the federal government reviews and modifies the formula used to calculate a family's financial strength that is reflected in the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

It may also be possible you made an error within your FAFSA application. Be sure to double-check your numbers and make corrections online.

What can I do if I need more financial aid?

Financial Aid & Scholarships processed your FAFSA and awarded you the maximum amount of aid you were eligible to receive at that time. It is best to meet our Nov. 1 application deadline to maximize your aid potential. You may also want to consider a loan.

Can international students receive financial aid?

Only citizens and eligible noncitizens may receive financial aid. Limited scholarships may be available. See if you qualify on our international students page.

What do I do if I receive a non-UNLV scholarships?

If you are awarded a private agency scholarship, you must inform UNLV Financial Aid & Scholarships as soon as you are notified. Get more details here.

When will I know if I have received a scholarship from UNLV?

No later than mid-April — scholarship award notifications are mailed to students selected for general scholarships. Notifications for scholarships awarded by the academic departments may take longer to receive. Because of the high application rate for scholarships, students may not be notified if they are not selected for a scholarship.

How many credit hours do I need to maintain my scholarship?

For most scholarships, students are required to maintain enrollment in at least 12 credits (full time) per semester to make sure that the scholarship credits your account. Many outside agency scholarships require a full-time course load per semester as well. Your scholarships award notification should specify the requirements.

Is my scholarship renewable every year?

Unless you receive a letter that specifically states that your award is renewable, your award is not renewable. If you do have a renewable scholarship, the award notification you received should also specify the GPA and credit requirements that you must meet for the award to be renewed.

What are the differences between the subsidized and unsubsidized loans?

The Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is based on financial need. You will not be charged interest as long as you are enrolled in enough credit hours to be considered a half-time student.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not need-based. It is available to students regardless of financial need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.

You will have the option of allowing the interest to accrue until you enter repayment or making a small interest payment quarterly to the Direct Loan Servicer for an unsubsidized loan. The amount of your subsidized and/or unsubsidized Stafford loan will depend on your grade level and be limited to your financial aid cost of attendance.

Do I have to make payments on the loan while I’m in school?

You are not required to begin repayment on your student loans until six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. If you have an unsubsidized loan, you will receive statements regarding interest that has accrued and you have the option of paying on the interest while you are still in school.

What if I’m not able to make the loan payments after I graduate?

Anytime you are unable to make your loan payments, contact your loan servicer as soon as possible. Your loan servicer will work with you to determine the best option for you. Options may include changing repayment plans, requesting a deferment, or requesting a forbearance. If you stop making payments and don’t get a deferment or forbearance, your loan could go into default, which has serious consequences.

Why do I need to complete entrance loan counseling?

You must complete the online loan counseling exercise to enhance your understanding of the individual loan programs as well as your rights and responsibilities.

Why do I need to complete exit loan counseling?

UNLV is required to provide student loan borrowers with additional loan counseling before they graduate from school. Upon graduation, leaving school, or dropping below half-time attendance, you will be required to complete exit loan counseling to review your rights and responsibilities. You are also required to update any necessary information with the Direct Loan Servicing Center.

What is a master promissory note (MPN)?

The MPN is a promissory note that can be used to make Federal Direct subsidized or unsubsidized or PLUS student loans for multiple academic years (up to 10 years). Find out more about this on our MPN page.

Why hasn't my subsidized, unsubsidized, Perkins, or PLUS loan credited to my cashiering account?

These loans will not apply to your account for multiple reasons. Please make sure you followed all the necessary steps required to ensure payment.

What can I do if I was denied for the PLUS loan?

If you did not pass a credit check, you still might still be able to receive the loan if someone who is able to pass the credit check, such as a relative or friend, agrees to endorse the loan.

If your parents are unable to get a co-endorser for the loan, the student may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loans. Contact Financial Aid & Scholarships for more information. Grad PLUS borrowers are not eligible for additional unsubsidized loan funds if denied according to federal regulations.

How/why did I get a financial aid refund check or direct deposit?

A refund check or direct deposit is created when the student's financial aid is greater than his or her charges for a particular semester. Get more information on refund check disbursement and direct deposit reasons why you may not receive it and when it is mailed, here.

When will I receive my financial aid refund check or direct deposit?

Refund checks are mailed to the address you have on file with UNLV the first day of classes. Refund checks are also mailed and direct-deposited to students once per week throughout the semester. It may take up to two weeks to receive a financial aid paper refund check after it has been disbursed to your cashiering account because of processing and mail times. A faster way to receive your refund is through Direct Deposit. you can sign up for Direct Deposit through MyUNLV.

Why haven't I received my refund check or direct deposit?

Find out why you haven't gotten a refund check or direct deposit on our disbursement page.

How do I know if my financial aid has disbursed to my cashiering account?

You can check your status online through the View Financial Aid link in your Student Center.

What will happen if I drop any or all my classes (withdraw from UNLV)?

If you drop from your full-time schedule, it may affect your eligibility. If you completely withdraw during any semester at UNLV, you will be subject to the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy as conducted by Financial Aid & Scholarships. For more details, visit our dropped classes page.

What can I do if my financial situation has changed since I applied with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application?

If you (or your family) experience a change in your financial situation after you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), our office may be able to re-evaluate your circumstances if our special consideration policies are applicable. This process may take 10 business days, assuming we have sufficient detailed information from you.

How do I find a job?

Part-time student employment opportunities are available to view 24 hours a day online from the Career Services Office. The postings for on-campus and off-campus employers are available to view a few weeks before the opening of each semester until the close of that semester. The potential employer's contact information will be listed for each job posting. You will need to contact the employer directly to fill out an application and/or set up an interview based on the information you find in your online search.

How many hours may I work as a UNLV student employee?

When classes are in session, students should not work in excess of 20 hours per week. When classes are not in session (due to final exam week, semester break, etc.), a student employee may work up to a maximum of 40 hours per week.

How can I be considered for federal work study?

Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for Federal Work Study (FWS) funds every year by Nov. 1 for priority consideration. A student must demonstrate financial need on the FAFSA to be eligible for FWS.

If you are not initially awarded FWS, you may contact our office and ask about FWS eligibility. If you cannot be offered federal work study dollars, it may be possible for a department on campus to still hire you on a regular student employment contract, assuming the department has funds available to pay your salary.

What is satisfactory academic progress?

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) means you must fulfill certain minimum standards in regard to maintaining your financial aid eligibility. Find more information on our SAP page.

Can I appeal my status if I am not maintaining satisfactory academic progress?

Yes. If you have become ineligible to receive financial aid because you are not maintaining SAP, you may appeal your status with the SAP Requirements and Appeal form.

The complete appeal form and your required appeal letter must be submitted to our office for review by the SAP Appeal Committee. It may take 10 business days to review your appeal. You will be notified in writing of a decision.

What is the census date and how does it impact your satisfactory academic progress?

A census date is used to determine a student’s quantitative measure as described in Section 3. The census date is the point in time when a student’s enrollment hours are “frozen” for the purposes of determining financial aid eligibility for the semester. The census date for the fall and spring semesters is the last date you can add classes without special permission. Summer term will have unique census dates since summer term is comprised of shorter modules.

The census date is the date your financial aid eligibility is locked in each semester. If you change your enrollment level on or before the census date, your aid eligibility will be adjusted. However, if you change your enrollment level after the census date, your aid eligibility will not be adjusted unless you drop all of your classes. It is recommended that you talk with a financial aid counselor if you are considering dropping all of your classes.