Apply Early and Re-apply Each Year
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your first step in applying for and determining eligibility for federal student aid. Using the University of Montevallo school code 001004, submit your FAFSA at the Federal Student Aid FAFSA page as early as possible, once the application is open for submission, each year.
Use Your Legal Name and Correct Social Security Number On Your FSA ID and FAFSA
Complete all forms using your legal name. Do not use nicknames. Enter your correct Social Security number on all forms. Be sure to review your Social Security number for accuracy; transposed or incorrect numbers will result in a delay in processing. Also, make certain parent contributor(s)/spouse provide the correct Social Security number and name that appears on their card.
Do Not Estimate
Use completed Federal Income Tax returns from two years prior to complete the FAFSA.
Examples:
2024-25 FAFSA/2022 Income and Federal Tax Data
2025-26 FAFSA/2023 Income and Federal Tax Data
Read And Respond
Regularly monitor your UM student email and Banner Self Service account. Carefully read, follow instructions, responding as directed to emails from Federal Student Aid and the UM Student Aid Office.
Status Changes
Recipients are required to report to the Student Aid Office any changes in status. This includes any financial assistance or scholarships not included on your aid package from the University.
Review
The Student Aid Office reserves the right to review, revise, or cancel the aid package at any time due to changes in financial or academic status, discovery of incorrect or falsified information or errors in determining eligibility.
Outside Agency Scholarships
Students receiving an Outside Agency Scholarship should have checks mailed to the following address:
University of Montevallo
Student Aid Office
Palmer Hall, Station 6050
Montevallo, AL 35115
Include the full student name and UM ID number are included with the scholarship check. If the check is made out only to the University of Montevallo, the student will not need to endorse the check.
If the check is made out to the University of Montevallo and the student, the student must endorse the check before mailing to the Student Aid Office for processing.
The Student Aid Office will receive and process the outside agency scholarship payment and will deliver to the Office of Student Accounts for payment to be applied toward the student bill. It is the University of Montevallo’s policy to split the total amount received from an outside agency scholarship equally between the fall and spring semesters if the check does not include a cover letter or note in the memo for which term payment should be applied.
Students may complete the 2024-25 Outside Agency Scholarship Form to specify how they would like funds to be disbursed towards their student account. This is only in the case that a cover letter is not included with the received payment.
If the scholarship check is made out only to the student, the student must endorse the check and either cash or deposit into their personal checking account. To apply these funds to their student account, the student would then make a direct payment to the University of Montevallo’s Office of Student Accounts. As required by federal law, the student is required to notify the Student Aid Office of the outside agency scholarship funding, to record these funds as part of the estimated financial aid package. Federal Title IV law states that all forms of estimated financial aid (EFA) must be noted in the student’s financial aid package and considered as a part of the student’s eligibility calculation.
Course Load
Most awards are based on the understanding that the student will be enrolled full-time (12 hours for undergraduates; 9 hours for graduates). Scholarships typically require full-time enrollment. To receive federal loans, students must be enrolled at least half-time. Half-time for undergraduates is six (6) credit hours; half-time for graduate students is five (5) credit hours. To maximize grant eligibility, enroll full-time.
Summer Aid
Summer assistance will be based on any remaining eligibility after the aid is awarded for fall and spring semesters. If you have received your annual maximum amounts for federal aid during the fall and spring semesters, summer eligibility will not be available. After students have registered for summer classes, eligibility will automatically be reviewed and students will be notified, typically during the spring semester.
