Financial Aid FAQ

We have listed an FAQ and glossary of the most common questions and terms used in financial aid. We encourage you to use that resource. The Federal Government has an excellent help section as well at FAFSA. Click on the FAQs for key topics. Or use the Help section for detailed information about each aspect of the FAFSA.

Who should file for financial aid?
Everyone who plans to go to college should apply. In families, each college student must apply separately for financial aid. You must reapply each year.

How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and release the data to Davenport University by filing in DU's School Code (002249).

Where do I get a FAFSA and how do I file it?
Apply on their website at FAFSA. 

When do I file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

The FAFSA can be filled out any time after October 1.

Is there a deadline for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

To find out your deadline, please visit Federal Student Aid. 

Is there a deadline for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for state aid?

The priority processing deadline for the state is March 1. Students may still submit an application for financial aid after March 1, however, scholarships, grants, lower-interest loans, and funds for campus jobs are limited and can sometimes be offered only to students who meet the March 1 state deadline. Funding is limited and students who meet the March 1 deadline are first in line for this funding.

What happens after I file?

The Department of Education will send a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). When you receive this, check it for errors. Correct any errors online. The Financial Aid Office will notify you of any further steps you may need to take. You may have to complete and submit one or more of the following as part of the verification process:

Additional information may be required, based on your application status. Keep copies of all income materials used to prepare your FAFSA. Respond promptly to all requests for information from Davenport.  

Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Yes. However, once you have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may be able to have some of your information prefilled for you on the online FAFSA the next year. The FAFSA will have about 75% of the information on the form pre-entered from the year before. You need to complete the areas indicated, as well as any other area that has changed from what is indicated on the new application.

How is my financial aid eligibility determined?
Financial aid eligibility is based on the information provided by students and their families on the FAFSA application form. Costs of school and the income and assets of students and parents all factor into the determination of financial aid eligibility.

Once my aid eligibility is determined, how much financial aid can I expect to receive?
The financial situations of students can vary greatly, so we cannot provide set amounts for what students can expect to receive. There are several financial aid calculators on the web that can help students figure their Student Aid Index (SAI). The Federal Student Aid Estimator is one. Need-based financial aid awards for students will be determined by priority filing date, fund availability, and estimated family contribution. View additional resources here.

Why was I offered loans but no financial aid?
Federal financial aid is made up of loans, grants, and work subsidy programs. Loans offered to students and parents are subsidized in part by the federal government, making them more attractive than commercial loans. The ability of students to defer repayment until they leave school is also a feature not found in commercial loans. Therefore, student loans are considered aid.

Federal grant money is reserved for the students and families in most need. Middle to high-income families therefore might see little or no federal grant money in their packages.

What is the difference between merit-based and need-based aid?
Merit-based aid is determined based on academic criteria, such as student scores and activities. Financial need does not factor into the awarding of merit-based awards. Merit-based scholarships are an example of merit-based aid as they are based on academic excellence. Need-based aid is determined based on a student's financial need and consist of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study.

How do course withdrawals and reinstatements impact my financial aid eligibility?
If you are withdrawn from a course (student-initiated or attendance policy) your financial aid may be adjusted and returned accordingly. If you are subsequently reinstated into the course, you may not be eligible for your original financial aid package for the semester.

Spring/Summer semester FAQs

When will I get awarded for the Spring/Summer semester?
We award students Spring/Summer aid starting around the end of October for the students who are scheduled for Spring/Summer.  As students enroll throughout the year, a Spring/Summer award is added.  Students can email the Financial Aid Office to see what financial aid they could be eligible for before they schedule for Spring/Summer.

Do all students have to first schedule for Spring/Summer before an award is applied?
No.  If your first semester of the academic year is Winter, we will award you for both the Winter and the Spring/Summer semesters at the same time.  If your first semester of the academic year is Fall, you can request a Spring/Summer award be applied even if you haven't enrolled by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Do I have to attend the Spring/Summer semester to keep my loans in deferment?
Generally, no.  Federal Direct Loan servicers view summer semesters as an optional semester for attendance.  If you have a private or alternative loan, check with your lender for details regarding in-school deferment status.

Can my parents take out a Parent PLUS loan in the Spring/Summer semester?
Eligibility for Federal Direct Loans is the same regardless of which semester you attend.  Find more information here.

Can I receive a Graduate PLUS loan in the Spring/Summer semester?
Eligibility for Federal Direct Loans is the same regardless of which semester you attend.  Find more information here.

Do I have to be enrolled half-time to receive aid?
Some forms of financial aid like scholarships and Federal Direct loans require half-time (six credits undergraduate, three credits graduate) enrollment.  Other forms don't necessarily require half-time enrollment.  See the list of aid types above for more details.

Can I use financial aid to pay for housing even if I'm not enrolled?
You can receive financial aid only if you are enrolled in courses.  If you live on campus and have no classes, you will not be eligible for financial aid awards.