Timeline: Available Now
Preferred Deadline: As soon as possible once it opens

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required if applying for federal financial aid programs, such as an Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Graduate PLUS Loan. Submitting the FAFSA as quickly as possible after it opens supports the timely delivery of financial aid offers and disbursement of aid as it allows financial aid staff time to collect and process any supporting documentation that may be required.  

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Timeline: June/July (if application is complete)

Once the student's application is complete and all required documents have been submitted, a financial aid package will be determined. The student will receive an email notification that a financial aid offer is available in their My Student Aid portal. If a student's circumstances change, then eligibility will be re-evaluated and the student will receive notification that a revised offer is available.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR OFFER

Timeline: After offer is received
Deadline: Loan funds will not disburse until this is completed

In order for any financial aid funds (scholarships and/or loans) to disburse to a graduate student's account, the student must accept or decline all federal loans included in their financial aid award. The amount of awarded loan funds may also be reduced. This simple process can be completed in My Student Aid.

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Timeline: After offer is received
Deadline: Loan funds will not distribute to the student account until these are completed

All first-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers are required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete an online entrance counseling session. The session provides information about borrower rights and responsibilities. CMU is notified when a student has completed entrance counseling. Students who completed a federal entrance counseling session while at CMU, do not have to complete another one.

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Timeline: After June 1

Federal Graduate PLUS Loans are available to graduate and professional students, allowing a graduate student to borrow on his/her own behalf up to the standard graduate cost of attendance less other aid received to assist with educational expenses. A Grad PLUS Loan is a non-need based loan provided by the Department of Education to creditworthy graduate students.

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Timeline: Following completion of MPN & Entrance Counseling

Students who are offered and/or receive Title IV funds (federal grants or federal loans) should complete Title IV Authorizations in SIO by selecting 'Financial Aid Permissions' under the 'Finances' tab. When the amount of Title IV funds is greater than the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and dining charges, the credit balance is refunded to the borrower. By completing their authorizations, students designate whether excess funds are held as payment for future semester charges or applied to non-institutional charges. Otherwise, excess Title IV funds are refunded directly to the borrower and any student account balance remaining will be due from the student. 

Complete Title IV Authorizations

Timeline: Financial aid funds are applied to your student account according to your semester of study or loan period

Grant and scholarship funds are applied as early as June 25 for the fall semester, November 25 for the spring semester, and March 25 for summer sessions.

Loan funds are applied as early as 10 days before the first day of class for the loan period. View loan disbursement dates. Keep in mind that the amount of federal loans credited to the student account will be less than the total amount borrowed due to origination fees. 

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