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Financial Aid & Scholarships: http://finaid.unlv.edu/
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) provides a wide variety of assistance to finance higher-education expenses. Grants, scholarships, work programs, and student loans are available to help students meet their costs while attending UNLV. Students are encouraged to explore all possible resources. For more information about available resources and the application process, you can refer to the Financial Aid & Scholarships section of this catalog. Further details are available online at http://finaid.unlv.edu/ You may also contact the office at 702-895-3424 or visit the second floor of the Reynolds Student Services Complex, Building A.
Application Procedures: UNLV has one application that students must complete if they wish to be considered for financial assistance: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application will need to be completed on a yearly basis. Once an application is submitted, students may be instructed to submit various supporting documents to assist in determining their eligibility for financial assistance. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the admissions application prior to or at the same time they are applying for financial assistance. The FAFSA is available online Jan. 1 of each year.
Priority Filing Date:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline is Feb. 1
Students should note that this is a priority date for the FAFSA. Applying after Feb. 1 reduces your chances of receiving the most attractive financial assistance package.
Determining Need: Eligibility for many of these programs is determined by evaluating the student’s financial need. The federal government expects that a student and the family (parents, spouse) have the primary financial responsibility for educational and living expenses. Family income, assets and number of people in the household are some of the factors determining the amount students and/or their families are expected to contribute.
The financial information provided by the family is evaluated by a federally approved need analysis to determine the amount the family has available to meet the student’s educational expenses. If the amount determined is less than the student’s total cost of attendance (fees, tuition, book, supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses), the student is considered to have financial need.
Eligibility for Financial Assistance: To qualify for financial assistance, students generally must meet the following criteria:
- Be admitted as a regular student in an eligible program.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.
- If required, be registered with selective service.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a repayment on a federal grant.
Satisfactory Progress: Students receiving financial assistance are required to maintain satisfactory progress in their course work. Maintaining satisfactory academic progress means a student must fulfill certain minimum standards in regard to academic progress and academic performance. Criteria vary depending on the type of assistance received. Students should review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards located at http://finaid.unlv.edu/resources/ or contact Financial Aid & Scholarships for information regarding satisfactory academic progress requirements specific to their financial assistance.
The minimum standards are demonstrated in three areas: grade point average (GPA), completed courses, and completion of the student’s degree objective. Failure to maintain the required UNLV GPA, to earn the required number of credits annually, and/or complete the degree requirements in a reasonable time frame will result in suspension of the student’s financial assistance. Once financial assistance has been suspended, students have the right to appeal. Appeals may be made upon presentation of supportive documentation (e.g., explanation from physician, faculty advisor, counseling center, etc.) with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form.
Students receiving financial assistance, including scholarships, are notified of the satisfactory academic progress requirements at the time the award is made.
Grants: Grants are monies awarded based on need; the lower the expected family contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA application, the more likely a student may qualify for grant funding. Grants are awarded by UNLV, the state of Nevada, and the U.S. Department of Education utilizing your FAFSA information. Grant dollars have limited financial funding streams. For more information regarding grant opportunities, please refer to http://finaid.unlv.edu/scholarships-grants/
Scholarships: Scholarships are monies awarded by private donors based on a variety of criteria established by the donor of the scholarship program. Scholarships are awarded through the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and departments and colleges. Scholarship awards vary from $250 to $5,000 per year. Many scholarship awards are renewable, but some are a one-time occurrence as specified by the donor.
For most scholarships, you are required to maintain enrollment in at least 12 credits (full time) per semester to make sure that the scholarship credits your account. Many outside agency scholarships require a full-time course load per semester as well. Your scholarships award notification should specify the terms and conditions. For more information regarding scholarship opportunities, please refer to http://financialaid.unlv.edu/apps/ScholarshipSearch/index.asp
Work Programs: Available for students to earn money to help pay for their own educational expenses. In addition, students learn the importance of time management and employment skills. Surveys have shown that students who work part-time (15 to 20 hours per week) do better academically and complete their degree more often than non-working students or students who work full-time. There are seven types of employment available through Financial Aid & Scholarships: federal work study, state work study, regular student employment, community service, America Reads/America Counts and Regents Award program. In order to take advantage of these programs, a student must be enrolled at least half-time at UNLV.
Students receive paychecks on a semi-monthly basis for on-campus and work-study programs, including America Reads and the Regents Award program. The hourly wage rate of all student employment programs will be above the minimum wage. Earnings from work are taxable. For information regarding specific employment opportunities, please refer to http://hire.unlv.edu/.
Student Loans: A loan may be a good investment in yourself to help finance your education. Loans, which can help you pay your tuition and fees, as well as living expenses, must be repaid, usually after you graduate, withdraw from college, or drop below half-time enrollment status (fewer than six credit hours per semester for undergraduates or five credit hours per semester for graduates). For more information regarding interest rates and specific loan opportunities, please refer to http://finaid.unlv.edu/loans/
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