Message to: New, Transfer and Re-Admitted Students

• Have you completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? If yes, GREAT! 

If you have completed the FAFSA prior to your being admitted, and you included UNO’s school code/address on the FAFSA, then we should have electronically received a file from the Federal Processing Center pertaining to your FAFSA. 
This file will be loaded into “Suspense”. This is a holding area for files which are in a pending status due to various reasons… (i.e., The applicant/student has not been admitted into the university). 
The FAFSA data that is loaded into Suspense is only a brief snapshot of your application status, and will not provide this office with the required details.

• Have you been admitted? If yes, CONGRATULATIONS! 

Once you’ve been admitted your file will move from “Suspense” to the “Financial Aid database”. This process generally takes 24 hours. 
Once the file loads into the Financial Aid database, we will be able to review your status, and determine if any additional information is needed (i.e, If you are selected for a process called verification). 
If additional information is needed from you, we will send you an email (to your UNO e-mail address) which will inform you of the required documents we will need to process your file. You should also check your “To Do” List on WebStar. 
Verification documents must be submitted to The UNO Office of Student Financial Aid. 
Please check your UNO e-mail address daily.

• Have you registered for classes? If yes, FANTASTIC! 

You will need to register for classes. Generally, students will need to enroll in 12 credit hours for certain Student Aid Programs, and at least half-time for to be considered for the Federal Student Loan Programs.
Undergraduates: Half-time is 6 credit hours
Graduates: Half-time is 5 credit hours. 

TRANSFER and READMITS: If you are a TRANSFER or a READMIT student, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be evaluated prior to your being considered for Financial Aid. Therefore, if your fees are due and your SAP status has not been evaluated, then you will be required to pay your minimum fee payment to the Bursar’s Office in order to retain your class schedule. Note: A Financial Aid award will NOT be generated for Conditionally Admitted students who have pending transcripts not received and processed by the Office of Admissions. 

Please be advised that in order to be awarded Federal Student Aid, you must meet the eligibility criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education, we must have all appropriate paperwork on file (including all Academic Transcripts), and you will need to be: Enrolled in an eligible curriculum, enrolled in the appropriate coursework and hours, and meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Graduate students must enroll in graduate level courses. 
Once you have registered for classes, the University will produce a Fee Bill, which will let you know the total charges you will owe to the University. You may access this information on-line via WebStar.

• Have you satisfied all the above? If yes, you are off to a WONDERFUL start. 

If you have completed the FAFSA, been admitted, registered for classes (appropriate coursework and hours), meet the Federal Student Aid requirements and SAP, and have all needed documents on file (if required), and your file is complete, then a Financial Aid Award will be generated for you. 
You may view your Financial Aid award through WebStar.

• Do you need to speak to a Financial Aid Counselor or a Scholarship Representative? If yes, we will be more than HAPPY to assist you. 

Prior to Centralized Enrollment Services, The Office of Student Financial Aid will be located in the Administration Building, room 1005. 
During Centralized Enrollment Services, The Office of Student Financial Aid will be located in a specified location, which will be posted in the Bulletin and in the Financial Aid Office. 
Your file must be loaded into the Financial Aid Database and you must be registered for classes as indicated above in order for a Financial Aid Counselor to assist you. 
You must have a picture I.D. (State I.D. or Driver’s License is sufficient). 
A counselor will be able to provide you with information pertaining to your FAFSA, Verification, Financial Aid Award, and/or consider you for a Financial Aid Deferment/Referral if needed. Generally, if you are eligible, the Deferment/Referral (which is an estimation of your anticipated financial aid award) will hold your classes until the Verification process has been completed (pending all documents are on file). 

In order to be considered for the Financial Aid Deferment/Referral, you must: 1) Be fully “Admitted”; 2) Meet all Institution and Federal Requirements; 3) Have submitted all requested documentation, including all Financial Aid and Admissions documents (i.e., Verification and all Official Academic Transcripts – without pending grades; and
4) Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress. 

Once a Deferment has been granted, you will be instructed to submit the Deferment/Referral Form to the Accounting Services Unit. 
You must submit the Deferment/Referral Form to the Accounting Services Unit the same day the form is granted, or before the end of the Fee Payment period in order to secure your class schedule. 
Please be advised that the Bursar and/or Accounting Services Office will determine if you have sufficient Estimated/Anticipated Financial Aid to hold your classes and defer your tuition.

Steps to Remember: 
File the FAFSA 
Request and submit all Academic Transcripts to the Admissions Office. 
Apply and be admitted to the University 

Transfer and Re-admitted students: If you are a transfer or readmit student, then Satisfactory Academic Progress must be evaluated prior to your being considered for Financial Aid. Therefore, you will be required to pay your minimum fee payment to the Bursar’s Office in order to retain your class schedule. For Provisional/Walk-in Admits, the evaluation process will begin 7 – 10 days after Registration/Centralized Fee Payment. 

Register for Classes 
Submit all required documentation 
Speak to a Financial Aid Representative 
Request consideration for a Financial Aid Deferment 
If eligible, submit Deferment Form to the Accounting Services Unit 
Registration/fee payment deadlines

Please contact us if you have any question regarding this process. During Centralized Enrollment Services, we may be reached at (504) 280-6603 or finaid@uno.edu.

Our normal business information:
Office of Student Financial Aid
Lakefront ~ Administration Building, Room 1005
(504) 280-6603 or finaid@uno.edu
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m. (M -F)

*Extended Hours: Tuesdays (8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ~ *Available only on the first two Tuesdays after the start of the semester)