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Office of Financial Aid

 

 

How to Apply for Financial Aid

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1. Admission Status

To be eligible for Federal Financial Aid students must be completely admitted into the university as a degree-seeking student.All high school and any dual enrollment transcripts, as well as, all test scores must be submitted and reviewed before any financial aid will be awarded. Incoming students who are degree seeking can receive aid for their first term on a Provisional basis. You can contact the Recruitment and Admission Office at 318-342-5430 for your admission status. If you are a first-time student, you will need to apply for admission as a degree seeking student.

 

2. Complete/Renew the FAFSA

If you do not already have an FSA ID, create a new FSA ID.

The FSA ID allows you to "sign" your FAFSA electronically which creates a totally paperless application process. Safeguard your FSA ID just like your Social Security Number! Keep your FSA ID with all of your other important documents. You will use your FSA ID  again. Do not give your FSA ID to anyone!


If you are providing parental information on the FAFSA, one of your parents will also need to apply for a FSA ID.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows the student to be automatically considered for federal and state financial aid based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). You can apply online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Important Reminder when completing the FAFSA
Link student and parent’s tax information to the FAFSA by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool under the Income section.  If you do not link your taxes, you and your parents will have to submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript to the Financial Aid Office for verification of income.  A tax return transcript can be obtained online at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript or by calling 1-800-908-9946.  If you are chosen for Verification, you will need to complete all requirements Before any federal financial aid awards can be processed.

There is no charge for submitting or receiving help with your FAFSA.  It is FREE!

The priority FAFSA deadline is April 1st.  

 

3. Learn How to Use Banner (ULM's online system)

Check out our "How-To Instructions" for help with Banner navigation. BANNER is your personal ULM guide to...

 

4. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)

Your SAR is the summary of your FAFSA.

Your complete, correct SAR will contain your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility.  To check the status of your SAR visit: SAR status 
It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive your FAFSA.


 

After You Have Applied for Aid

What Happens Next?

You have completed your FAFSA and received your Student Aid Report (SAR). The following information will explain what happens next in the financial aid process.

 Steps to continuing the financial aid process:

 

A.   The ULM Financial Aid Office will start to download FAFSA information.

The FAFSA contains the same information as your SAR. We will electronically receive your completed FAFSA from the Federal Processor.

Once we receive your FAFSA, students will receive correspondence by email to their Warhawk account.

The receipt of your FAFSA marks the official beginning of the Financial Aid Office's processing of your aid.

B.  Additional Information, If Necessary:

This step will be different for each student.  In this step you may be required to submit further documentation before your aid can be processed.  Some students will not need any further documentation, while others may have numerous issues that will need to be addressed.  You will need to carefully monitor your "Warhawk" email account and the Student Self Service system so you will know if you need to submit additional documentation.

Students (Self Service) can check their financial aid status online.

Check your Financial Aid Status Online using BANNER

Your financial aid cannot be processed until you have completed the Verification process if chosen.

C.  Student Academic Progress/Appeals

Federal regulations require that ULM establish policies to monitor the academic progress of students who apply for and/or receive federal financial aid.  If you are not meeting these requirements you may have to submit an appeal before your aid can be processed.  For further information on the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy and the steps to appeal click on the following link: Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Your financial aid cannot be processed until you have completed the appeal form and the Appeals Committee has reviewed your appeal!

D.  Awarding

Once you have completed your FAFSA and you have submitted all necessary documentation (if required), you are now ready to be awarded aid.  The awarding of aid is not the end of the journey.  You must now accept your awards on online (accept your award using BANNER).


 

5. Student Loans

All students taking out student loans will be required to complete an Entrance Counseling Interview and
a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentaid.gov.

 

6. Stay Informed and Up-To-Date

Continue to monitor your Banner Self-Service Account and ULM Student Email throughout the Semester.

Carefully read the terms and conditions of your financial aid:

Your financial aid awards are subject to terms and conditions that impact how much money you may receive.

 

 

ULM Communicates Electronically

  • We correspond via your Warhawk email

    ...to notify you that your FAFSA has been received.

    ...to notify you of missing requirements.

    ...to send you award notification.

    ...to keep you updated with announcements.

  • We receive application data electronically.

  • We disburse aid electronically.

  • Your Warhawk email address is essential for the financial aid process at ULM.

  • Check Banner frequently for additional requirements that could delay your aid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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