The Moment We’ve All Been Waiting For- Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s here! Whether your student is walking into their very first college class as a first-year student or is beginning their final year as a Wildcat, the beginning of the Fall semester always brings about feelings of newness. And while we know this time of year is exciting, it can also be overwhelming trying to cross everything off your to do list. In case our office is on your list of places to connect with, we wanted to answer the top three questions we hear from parents this time of year.

1. When can I expect financial aid to be released to my student’s account?
   Accepted financial aid will begin to release to students accounts the week of August 16th. This gives you and your student about a week before tuition is due on the first day of classes (August 23, 2021).

   If you are planning on borrowing student and/or parent loans, make sure you follow all steps to accept those loans early!

   Keep in mind that in order for accepted aid to be released, students must meet all enrollment and disbursement conditions and have no financial aid holds or open To Do Lists items. You can help your student prepare for a smooth start to their semester by checking their UAccess Student Center with them for any actionable items.
    

2. My student is expecting a refund from their financial aid. How is that sent to my student?
   Accepted financial aid is released to your student’s Bursar account to pay down any applied charges, such as tuition, mandatory fees, and housing (if living on campus). If your student has any other charges on your student account, be sure your student has completed the "Financial Aid Authorization" To Do List item. This will ensure that their financial aid can be applied to all charges on their account.

Since we know that not all college related expenses are necessarily charged to your student’s Bursar account (hello books, dorm room supplies, or grocery runs), any remaining financial aid can be sent to your student as a financial aid refund. 

The quickest way to receive this refund is by signing up for a Web Refund (aka direct deposit) via UAccess Student Center. If your student doesn’t sign up for a Web Refund, a paper check will be sent to the mailing address on file. Read more about how to sign up for Web Refund on the Bursar’s office website.

1. How can I speak with someone in the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid?
   Great question! The start of each semester is always busy in our office, but do know we are here to support you and your student. The best ways to reach us are via email or by visiting us virtually through a zoom drop in session or scheduled appointment. Worth noting, we regularly update our average wait times chart so you can easily find the quickest way to get in contact with us. Find your favorite method on our contact us page.

Have more questions? We’ve got loads of information available on our website. Check out these specific pages for more information:

• We’ve pulled together a list of resources just for parents and supporters! Visit our AzAidSmart:Parent & Supporters page to learn more.
• Our Know Before You Go was created to specifically help students and supporters gather information at the beginning of each semester.
• Have more questions? We have a full list of Frequently Asked Questions covering a wide range of topics from loans, to scholarships, to verification.

We hope that this information is helpful and that it allows you and your student to quickly gather the financial aid information you need so you can focus on what really matters – getting an exceptional education and gaining the skills to launch your career.