FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS                                             

Are Financial Aid Advisors available for individual appointments?
Yes. If students are experiencing financial difficulty, it is highly recommended they schedule an appointment with their financial aid counselor. You may email them directly or call the financial aid office.

How are student budgets constructed?
Student budgets consist of tuition, fees, cost of required books and supplies, room and board (based upon a shared dwelling), transportation, and personal expenses. In general, fees and books come from your school’s Student Affairs office, and tuition is set by Mississippi Institution of Higher Learning.  Room and board costs are constructed using Bureau of Labor Statistics data for specific geographical regions, as well as metro area apartment guide. This is supplemented with data from annual surveys sent to our student body.

I have prior educational loans that need to be deferred. Who processes my forms?
Deferment forms are processed by the Registrar.

How many credits are needed in order to receive financial aid?
Students are required to be matriculated in a program of study at least half-time for the period seeking financial assistance. Half time is defined as six (6) credits for undergraduate students. Half-time status for graduate/professional students varies based on the requirements of the program.

How can I apply for more financial aid?
Students who have room in their budgets can request additional funds by completing the Request for Additional Financial Aid form. This form is available on the Student Financial Aid website.

How do I know if I have room in my budget?
Subtract your total financial aid award from your cost of attendance. Your individual budget figures along with your financial aid award can be obtained by logging into the myU portal.

Can I request to lower my financial aid award? If so, how?
Yes. Students must submit award changes in writing to the Student Financial Aid Office.

How do I change my financial aid address?
Currently enrolled students:  Contact the Registrar’s Office.

Graduates:  Complete the Financial Aid Change of Address form available on the Student Financial Aid website (Financial Aid Forms). The Financial Aid Change of Address form is only for Financial Aid correspondence. If you need to change your address with another department, contact the department for further instructions.

Are non-citizens eligible for financial aid?
A student must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen to receive aid from the Federal Student Aid programs. The general requirement for eligible non-citizens is that they be in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or lawful permanent resident, as evidenced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Students should review their school’s catalog for more specific information regarding citizenship requirements.

For further information on financial aid, review the Student Financial Aid Handbook located in the Financial Aid Publication portal of this website.