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UMA Financial Aid FAQs

What forms do I need to complete to be considered for financial aid?

UMA requires students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). No other application form is needed to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid at UMA.

How should I file my FAFSA?

UMA recommends that student’s file on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. On-line processing allows schools to receive information more quickly so students receive their financial aid award sooner. You may still complete the paper FAFSA and can get the form by calling our office at 877 UMA-1234 x 3455 (toll free in Maine).

What is UMA’s Federal School Code?

UMA’s Federal School Code is 006760. Use this code on the FAFSA form so that the results are sent to UMA's Financial Aid office.
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I received my Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail, now what do I do?

Students (and parents) should review the information on the SAR to make certain it is accurate. You may make any necessary corrections on the SAR and sign and return the SAR to the address on the form. Students who filed their FAFSA on-line may make on-line corrections at the www.fafsa.ed.gov web site. Always keep a copy of your SAR for your records.
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When I received my Student Aid Report in the mail, it said I was selected for verification. What does this mean, and what will I need to do to complete the verification process?

The U.S. Department of Education selects a percentage of financial aid applications for additional review each year. This review process is known as verification.
A student whose application is selected for verification must document the accuracy of the application information by submitting information regarding:

  1. Adjusted Gross Income – a signed copy of the student’s most recent Federal Income Tax return will be requested by the school.
  2. Parents’ Tax Return – required if student was required to complete the FAFSA with parent information.
  3. Household Size
  4. Number in College
  5. Sources and amounts of Untaxed Income

The UMA Financial Aid Office will contact students selected for verification. Students will be notified what documentation is required to complete the verification process. The documentation will be compared to the original application and any corrections will be made through the Federal Processor. A response to the corrections must be received from the Federal Processor before a financial aid award can be made.

Students who are selected for verification and do not provide all requested documentation will not receive an award while their file remains incomplete.
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How long does it take to complete verification and will I be awarded aid if verification is not complete?

The Financial Aid Office can complete verification of a student’s file within a few days of receiving all of the student’s required documentation However, documents received during peak processing times may require more time to process – up to two weeks or more. Additional time will also be needed if verification information results in a correction being sent to the Federal Processor. The UMA Financial Aid Office must receive a response to the corrections from the Federal Processor before a financial aid award can be made.

Students who are selected for verification after they have been awarded aid will not receive their financial aid until verification is complete. If corrections are made because of verification, eligibility will be reevaluated and financial aid award will be changed to reflect any necessary adjustments.
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How was my financial aid eligibility determined?

Information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is evaluated using a formula established by Congress. The result is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is an indicator of the family’s financial strength, it is not an amount to be paid to UMA. The EFC is used as a component in the federal formula and is subtracted from the total cost of education. The result is your eligibility for financial aid. This eligibility is our starting point for awarding aid to students.
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I did not receive a work-study award as part of my aid package. Can I still get work-study funds?

Federal Work-Study funds are limited to the amount awarded to UMA each academic year. Eligible students, who request Federal Work-Study on the FAFSA, will be considered for an award as long as funds remain available. If an eligible student does not receive a Federal Work-Study award because we have exhausted our funding, they may request placement on a waiting list. Eligible wait-listed students may receive a Federal Work-Study award at a later date if funds subsequently become available.
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My parents will not help me with school. Can I change my status to “independent” for financial aid purposes?

Students who are able to answer “YES” to any question in Step Three of the 2003-2004 FAFSA are considered independent for the 2003-2004 academic year. These students do not provide parent information on the FAFSA.

If you cannot answer “YES” to any question in Step Three, but believe you have special circumstances that should be considered regarding your status as an independent student, you should contact our office to determine if an exception can be made to your dependency status. You will need to provide documentation to support your claim of independent status.
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How do I report special circumstances that I could not report on my FAFSA?

File your FAFSA with the Federal Processor. Notify the UMA Financial Aid Office in writing regarding any extenuating circumstances that are not covered on the FAFSA. You may appeal in writing regarding changes to your financial situation; such as loss of income or excessive medical expenses that affect your ability to pay for educational expenses. We will contact you if additional information is needed to complete your appeal. Students will be notified when a decision has been made.
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