Eligibility

Annual FAFSA Renewal

Each year, students who wish to be considered for financial aid need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In order to be considered for most forms of UConn financial assistance, applications must be received by the UConn on-time deadline of February 15 for all students.

  • Failure to complete the FAFSA by this deadline may result in a loss and/or reduction of financial aid. Students who do not meet the February 15 on-time deadline will not be considered for the following types of aid:
  • University Grant
  • Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program – Need Based Grant Award
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Federal Work-Study

On-Time Financial Aid Application Deadline Appeal

Students who have who have not met the February 15 on-time deadline due to extenuating circumstances may request reconsideration of their financial aid offer by submitting the On-Time Financial Aid Application Deadline Appeal on the corresponding aid year.

  • Circumstances we will consider:
  • A death or illness in the student’s immediate family
  • An illness and/or injury befalling the student
  • Additional special circumstances considered at the discretion of the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS)

Circumstances we will not consider:

  • Non-UConn publications stating incorrect deadlines
  • Initiating the FAFSA application process late pending receipt of FSA ID
  • Waiting to be admitted to the university

Please be advised that a change of eligibility based on appeal approval does not guarantee an additional offer of financial aid. Once an appeal has been processed, students will be notified of the outcome via their university email account.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be considered for financial assistance at UConn, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Eligibility Requirements:
Must be accepted into a degree-granting program or approved certificate program at UConn.
Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and if required, provide documentation to verify their status.
Must have a valid Social Security Number (unless the student is from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
Must have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate or pass an exam approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
Students who have been previously incarcerated, or are currently incarcerated, or who might be incarcerated during their current term of attendance, must identify themselves to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services to determine their financial aid eligibility.
Students who receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) containing a C Flag, must review the SAR to determine what eligibility issue has been identified for them or their parent(s). Additional information regarding the steps that must be taken to resolve the issue(s) can be found in the specific comments on the FSS. Students with an active C Flag will not be offered financial aid until the issue is resolved.

Limitations to Eligibility

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have already earned their first undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree will be considered for Federal Direct Loan and Federal Work Study. Second bachelor’s degree students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant or University Grant funds.

Non-Degree Students

Students enrolled in a non-degree program are not eligible for federal or institutional financial aid.

Cooperative Education (Co-Op)

Students participating in a Cooperative Education Program will not be eligible for financial aid unless receiving credits from other courses.

Enrollment at Multiple Institutions

Students who are enrolled at more than one college or university during the same semester are only eligible to receive aid from one institution.

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 Students page.

University Grant

University Grant is available to eligible UConn undergraduate students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and are enrolled full-time.

Terms and Conditions

If a student has received a financial aid offer, the following terms and conditions apply:

Terms and Conditions:
If requested, students must provide documentation to verify the accuracy of the information reported on the FAFSA before their financial aid can be finalized and disbursed.
Financial aid offers are awarded based on merit and/or calculated need as determined from information provided on the FAFSA. Financial aid offers are subject to revision(s) because of changes in financial situations, verification, discovery of data errors, changes in enrollment status or changes in residency status, among other things.
Must have a valid Social Security Number (unless the student is from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
Students who receive any financial assistance from any source that is not included in their financial aid offer must report
the assistance on the Private Scholarship Deferment Request Form for evaluation by the Office of Student Financial Aid
Services and Bursar. Financial aid offers may be revised based upon this information.
Must be enrolled full-time to receive most types of financial aid. If enrolled less than full-time, financial aid may be reduced or cancelled.
Classes taken for audit are not eligible for financial assistance, and do not count toward enrollment for purposes of financial assistance.
Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible for most forms of aid.

Undocumented Student Aid Eligibility

For more information on eligibility requirements for Undocumented Students, please visit the Undocumented Student page.

Verification

inceptia logo

Federal Verification Process

We are pleased to announce we have established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process for University of Connecticut. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide students and parents through verification.

If your FAFSA application is selected for verification by the U.S Department of Education, you will receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org, or postcard from Inceptia, containing University of Connecticut’s unique website link to start the verification process.

We encourage you to begin the verification process within 7 days of receiving notification from Verification Gateway to ensure you receive your financial aid in time for payments. Failure to complete the verification process could result in the delay or denial of your financial aid.

Your Initial Financial Aid Offer Received On or After: Documentation Date: Financial Aid Cancelled if Deadline is Not Met:
March 1, 2024 November 1, 2024 All Financial Aid
November 1, 2024 April 1, 2025 All Financial Aid

Follow these steps to complete your verification.

  • Access our school’s unique website link in the email from VGCS@inceptia.org or listed below.
  • Create your account* and choose preferences for text messages and e-signatures.
  • Complete your Task List.
  • Confirm your signature and review your information.
  • Sign your account.

*If you are a dependent student, your parent also needs to create their own account and complete each of these steps.

 University of Connecticut Verification Gateway Links and Deadlines

2024-2025 Federal Verification: https://uconn.verificationgateway.org

Deadline for submitting these documents is 9-13-2025.

Questions about the verification process?

Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 am – 7 pm Central at 888.374.8427 or VGCS@inceptia.org.

About Inceptia

Inceptia, a division of National Student Loan Program (NSLP), is a nonprofit organization committed to offering effective and uncomplicated solutions in verification, financial aid management, financial education, and repayment wellness. Our mission supports schools as they illuminate paths towards educational and financial success for students and families.