Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for financial aid?
I probably do not qualify for financial aid. Should I apply anyway?
How much does it cost to attend UW-River Falls?
How much financial aid will I get?
Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid?
Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
I am going to be married soon. When should I complete my FAFSA for the next year?
Will I get all of my financial aid at the beginning of the year?
My parents are separated or divorced. Which parent should fill out the FAFSA?
Why am I a dependent student when my parents no longer claim me on their taxes?
My family has some unusual circumstances. How do I report that?
Where can I find scholarships to apply for?
I won a scholarship. Do I report that to UW-River Falls?
How do I get work study?
Are there loan options other than federal loans?
What happens to my financial aid money when it is sent to UW-River Falls?
What if I am transferring to UW-River Falls?
I need information on loan repayment and loan consolidation.
How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for any federal or state financial aid programs, you will need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA online is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov and must be completed each year. The next year’s application is available each year after January 1. Complete your FAFSA as early as possible so that your aid is packaged in time for the start of fall semester and so that all aid types you may be eligible for are still available. When you apply, you (and one of your parents if you are considered dependent) will use a PIN to electronically sign the FAFSA. A PIN is easily obtained at www.pin.ed.gov. Our Federal School Code that you will need for the FAFSA is 003923.
I probably do not qualify for financial aid. Should I apply anyway?
Yes. There are many sources of non-need based aid, but they usually require a FAFSA to be completed. Some sources of non-need based aid are Federal Unsubsidized Stafford loans, parent PLUS loans, Minnesota SELF loans, and alternative loans. You can find more information and application instructions on our Loans page.
How much does it cost to attend UW-River Falls?
Current tuition and fees for a given academic year are generally set by the end of the summer.
How much financial aid will I get?
The minimum amount of financial aid all freshmen qualify for is $5,500.00 in a Stafford loan. Eligibility for federal or state grants depends on family income, family size and financial assets. You will receive an Award Letter from UW-River Falls listing the aid you qualify to receive.
Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid?
No. You can apply for aid anytime after January 1 of each year. On the FAFSA, you can list up to six schools you are considering attending. Before you receive an Award Letter or any financial aid funds at UW-River Falls, you must be admitted as a degree-seeking student.
Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes. After the first year you complete the FAFSA, you will be sent an email to remind you to reapply for the next year. Even if you don't receive an email, you should remember to fill it out each spring.
I am going to be married soon. When should I complete my FAFSA for the next year?
If you want to be considered married for financial aid purposes, you need to wait until you are married to complete the FAFSA. We will also need a copy of your spouse's previous year federal tax return even though you were not married at the time you filed your tax return. If you wait to complete your FAFSA, however, it can mean that you won't have your aid available when tuition is due and will have to make other arrangements to pay your costs until your aid is processed. If you complete your FAFSA before you are married, you must report your status as single even if you will be married before or during the school year for which you are applying for aid. You CANNOT complete your FAFSA later in the year as married. Students should evaluate their situation to determine when to complete the FAFSA.
Will I get all of my financial aid at the beginning of the year?
You will get one disbursement of aid (half of your aid awards) for fall semester and one disbursement (the other half) in spring semester as UW-River Falls has two semesters in each academic year.
My parents are separated or divorced. Which parent should fill out the FAFSA?
If you are determined a dependent on the FAFSA and your parents are separated or divorced, you must provide the information from the parent you have lived with the most in the past 12 months on your FAFSA. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, then provide the information from the parent who provided you with the most financial support in the past 12 months.
Why am I a dependent student when my parents no longer claim me on their taxes?
Students are considered dependent and must report parent income information on the FAFSA unless they:
- are 24 or older
- are in graduate school
- are married
- have children or dependents
- are an orphan or ward of the court
- are currently serving or have served active duty as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
- were homeless or in foster care
Failure to provide parental income will cause the FAFSA to be rejected unless one of the above conditions is true.
My family has some unusual circumstances. How do I report that?
There will be no place to report unusual circumstances on the FAFSA. The Financial Aid Office has the ability to take into consideration situations such as recent loss of income, death of a family member, divorce, or economic hardship, for example. Contact the Financial Aid Office directly to set up a meeting with a counselor.
Where can I find scholarships to apply for?
The UW-River Falls Foundation offers scholarships that you can apply for. There are also many free online scholarship searches.
I won a scholarship. Do I report that to UW-River Falls?
Yes. Report scholarships on the Scholarship and Outside Resource Notification Form or in writing to the Financial Aid Office as soon as you are notified you will be receiving a scholarship. This gives you an accurate financial aid award package as soon as possible.
How do I get work study?
The FAFSA results determine who is eligible for Federal Work Study depending on financial need and the availability of funds. Student Assistance on-campus jobs are available to any student, regardless of need. You can search for on-campus and off-campus jobs at the Hire A Falcon site.
Are there loan options other than federal loans?
To help with educational costs not met through federal and state financial aid, there are additional loan options. Parents may be interested in a PLUS loan. Minnesota residents may consider the SELF loan. You may also consider applying for an alternative education loan available through private lenders.
What happens to my financial aid money when it is sent to UW-River Falls?
First your account is credited towards the balance you owe the University. If the financial aid money does not fully pay your bill, you will receive a new bill for the remaining balance. If your financial aid is more than your bill, you will receive a refund for the excess amount.
What if I am transferring to UW-River Falls?
If you are a transfer student, and have already completed a FAFSA for the current academic year, you do not need to complete it again. Instead, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, and select the "Add or Delete a School Code" link. Add UW-River Falls’ school code: 003923. Your financial aid will not automatically transfer from one school to the next.
I need information on loan repayment and loan consolidation.
Visit our Leaving UW-River Falls webpage for information on Loan Exit Counseling, loan repayment, and loan consolidation for your federal student loans.
