Student Status
From UConn Student Financial Aid Services
Contents |
Residency Status
Residency status for incoming freshmen and transfer students is determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the time of acceptance. For entering graduate students the residency is determined by the Graduate Admissions Office. Continuing undergraduate and graduate students' residency status may be changed through an appeal process administered by the Dean of Students Office.
Housing Status
Students who live in and pay rent for an off-campus apartment may use their financial aid to assist with living expenses. Students who live in the Hilltop or Charter Oak Apartments are considered to be living on-campus. Our office assumes that in-state dependent students who attend regional campuses are living with their parents and out-of-state students attending a regional campus are living off-campus, not with parents, unless otherwise notified.
Enrollment Status
Enrollment status is based on the following credit requirements:
| Undergraduate Students | Graduate Students |
|---|---|
| 12 or more credits = full time | 9 or more credits = full time |
| 9-11 credits = 3/4 time | Graduate Assistantship (6+ credits) or Graduate Research Course (3 credits) = full-time |
| 6-8 credits = half time | 5-8 credits = half-time |
Fixed Enrollment Date/Day 10
Each semester, final awards will be based on your enrollment status (number of credits) at the University of Connecticut at the end of the add/drop period (10th day of the semester). Appropriate adjustments to the award package will be made at that time. Per federal regulations and University policy, financial aid awards are based on a fixed enrollment date, the 10th day of classes.
If eligible, full-time students (part-time students on a funds availability basis) will be considered for university and federal campus-based aid. Students enrolled less than full-time, but at least half-time will be considered for a Federal Pell Grant (undergraduate only) and Federal Stafford Loans. Undergraduate students enrolled less than half-time will be considered for Federal Pell Grants only. If your enrollment drops below half-time at any point in the semester, prior to your loan funds being disbursed, you will not receive those funds.
If your semester registration was finalized AFTER the 10th day of classes, and you wish to request a review of your file, please submit documentation of your current credit load in addition to the Day 10 Appeal Form. The deadline for such an appeal is 10 business days after the end of the add/drop period.
Reminder: To be considered for most forms of aid, students must be enrolled full-time.
If you drop a class AFTER the 10th day of classes, and receive a W in that class, neither your billing status nor your financial aid status will be adjusted. However, you may not be in compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines for the next academic year.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require the OSFAS to review the academic progress of each continuing student applying for aid and to determine each student’s compliance with the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines. Applicants found to be in violation of the standards are ineligible for the aid programs governed by the guidelines. Satisfactory Academic Progress reviews will be performed in early June, after Spring grades have been posted. If you fail to meet the Percentage Completion and/or Grade Point Average requirements, you will be placed on probation. Applicants who fail to meet the criteria will be notified by HuskyMail beginning in late June. During the probationary period students are eligible to receive financial aid. Failure to come into compliance with the criteria at the end of the probationary period will result in denial of further federal aid (SAP Termination). Applicants denied financial assistance due to lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be granted the option of appealing their aid denial. Appeals must be based on “special or unusual circumstances” such as death of a family member or injury or illness of the student. Students who reach the Maximum Number of Credits Attempted (including transfer credits) for their academic program without completing the degree will be denied further federal aid (SAP Termination). Students will receive a letter of warning prior to reaching the maximum credit limits.
Financial Aid Programs Governed by Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines
Eligibility for the following programs requires compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines for Financial Aid Applicants:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Federal Work-Study(FWS)
- Federal Perkins Loan
- Federal Direct Stafford Loan
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
- Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
- National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)
- University grant programs
- UConn Merit Scholarships
- State grant programs
- Certain alternative loans (see each lender's website for more details)
These guidelines do not apply to tuition waivers, athletic grants, some University scholarships, most outside scholarships, or student labor earnings.
Note: A complete text of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines is available.
Grade Level Progression
If you were a freshman or sophomore during the current academic year, your financial aid awards for the upcoming academic year are based on anticipated progression to sophomore or junior status for the upcoming academic year. Once final spring grades have been posted, your actual grade level will be determined. Your awards are subject to revision if grade level progression did not occur. Loan amounts are based on earned credits. If there are adjustments to your total number of earned credits based on repeat rules or credit restrictions, your loan amount may be reduced.
Cancelling Enrollment
Students who cancel their enrollment for the fall semester will have their original financial aid awards, including scholarships, cancelled for the year.
For students who return for the spring semester, eligibility for spring financial aid will be re-evaluated based on spring admission status, enrollment status, partial year attendance and the availability of funds.
