Getting Started
Applying for Financial Aid
Continuing students must reapply for financial aid each year that they attend and wish to be considered for aid.
- FAFSA application is available on October 1st each year
- UConn School Code: 001417
- On-time deadline is February 15th
The Department of Education provides information regarding what happens after you have submitted your FAFSA. View the After the FAFSA video to learn more.
Undocumented Students
In some cases, undocumented students may be eligible to receive some form of institutional aid. For more information about aid for undocumented students, navigate to the Undocumented Student section.
Next Steps
Once the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) has received your FAFSA data, we will begin creating your financial aid offer for the 2025-2026 academic year.
In early April, students will receive an email communication from our office that will direct them to access the Student Administration System. Here they can:
- Identify if there is any required documentation needed to finalize their financial aid offer
- View their Financial Aid Offer
- Accept, reduce or decline their Federal Direct Student Loan offers
- View their Financial Aid College Financing Plan
Students can view instructions on how to complete various tasks/actions in the Student Administration System in the UConn Knowledge Base: Manage Financial Aid.
Federal Aid Eligibility
Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions
In order to be considered for financial assistance at the University of Connecticut, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. Please see the full list of eligibility requirements and terms and conditions.
Types of Aid
Loans
Undergraduate students who apply for financial aid are considered for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans.
Parents of dependent students can apply for a Federal Direct (Parent) PLUS Loan.
Students can apply for a Private Alternative Education Loan in their name. However, some students may need to apply with a credit worthy co-signer.
More information is available in the Loans for Undergraduates section.
Grants
Undergraduate students who apply for financial aid may be considered for different types of federal and institutional grants.
More information is available in the Grants section of the website.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study is offered to students as part of their financial aid. Work-Study is a program that allows students to earn money to help pay for educational expenses.
More information is available in the Other Types of Aid: Federal Work Study section.
Scholarships
Scholarships are merit-based or need-based monetary awards that may range from paying a portion of tuition to fully funding the costs associated with a student’s college education.
Merit scholarship recipients will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure they are meeting the GPA/SAP terms and conditions of their award. If not meeting SAP and/or the GPA requirement for their specific scholarship they will be placed on merit scholarship probation for the upcoming academic year. Students will be notified of this via email and no action is required on their part. If after the year of probation, they are still not meeting the SAP/GPA requirements the award will be terminated. Students will be notified of this termination and will have the opportunity to appeal. Details on the appeal and deadline will be included in the communication to the student. If the student appeals and it is approved the award will be reinstated for the upcoming academic year. If the student does not submit an appeal or if the appeal is denied the award will not be reinstated in the future.
More information about scholarships is available in the Other Types of Aid: Scholarships section.
Departmental Scholarships
The primary source of information about scholarship programs is the school, college or department in which a student is enrolled or plans to enroll.
More information is available in the Other Types of Aid: Scholarships section.
Financing Options for Educational Expenses
Determining how to pay for remaining educational expenses can be challenging and overwhelming. The Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) is here to assist you in identifying options and provide information that will help you decide what works best for you and your family.
Links have been provided for additional information.
Scholarship Opportunities
This resource provides links to UConn Departments that offer scholarships to current students. There are also links to scholarship resources outside the University that can be explored.
https://financialaid.uconn.edu/scholarships/
Federal Direct (Parent) Plus Loans
The Federal Direct Loan program is offered through the U.S. Department of Education. This loan is available to parent borrowers of dependent undergraduate students who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This type of loan requires an application from the parent borrower as well as a valid credit check. Additional information about the Federal Direct (Parent) Plus loan can be found at the following website.
https://financialaid.uconn.edu/plus/
To apply for the Federal Parent Plus Loan, parents can sign in with their FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/parent/landing
Private/Alternative Education Loans
Private Education Loans are non-federal loans made by private lenders. These types of loans require completion of an application and a valid credit check. Additional information about UConn’s Suggested Lender List for Private/Alternative loans can be found at the following website.
https://financialaid.uconn.edu/altloan/
UConn Payment Plan
The University of Connecticut’s Office of the Bursar offers an optional payment plan for the fall and spring semester. Additional information about the UConn Payment plan can be found at the following website.
https://bursar.uconn.edu/departments/cash-operations/student-payments/payment-plans/