What school code should I use when completing the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA)?
Use the school code for the institution granting the UW Flexible Option degree or certificate you are enrolled in:
- UW-Milwaukee school code: 003896
- UW-Parkside school code: 005015
How do I create my UW Flexible Option Financial Aid Student Portal account?
Please review this .pdf to learn more about how to set up your UW Flexible Option Financial Aid Student Portal Account
Where do I find my UW Flexible Option Financial Aid Student Portal account login information?
This information can be found on your initial award letter email, missing information letter email, and/or your detailed award letter email which is sent to your home institution/school email address.
What happens to my financial aid if I drop a course or don’t pass it?
Dropping courses, changing your academic schedule, or earning non-passing grades (including a PR) will typically impact your financial aid and may require additional revisions to your disbursement schedule.
How does repeating a course impact my financial aid eligibility?
At UW Flexible Option, all course repeats, regardless of the original grade received, are considered a continuation of the initial enrollment. A course is eligible for financial aid only one time, regardless of the number of attempts needed to achieve mastery (a passing grade). Repeating a course may alter your original federal financial aid disbursement schedule.
Do I receive disbursements as soon I start a course?
Only financial aid eligible students who have begun participating in one or more courses during the first 8 calendar days of each subscription period are eligible to receive financial aid disbursement(s) scheduled for that subscription period.
Students who have met the participation requirement will have the financial aid scheduled for that subscription period released and applied to their student account. If there is a pending disbursement, the disbursement process will begin on approximately the ninth day of the subscription period.
What happens if the disbursement I receive is more than my tuition?
If your disbursement is greater than the tuition, you will be eligible for a financial aid refund. Refunds are sent according to the processes and time frames determined by the UW institution where you are receiving your degree. It is important to know that many financial aid refunds are a result of loan funds that must be repaid. Students are encouraged to borrow only what is needed to cover their tuition to minimize loan debt.
Do my grades have an impact on when I can receive financial aid?
Yes. Your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) plays a role in determining when you can receive financial aid funds. SAP is measured through both your cumulative GPA and Pace.
What happens when I want to take a break from my studies and UW Flexible Option?
Students are not eligible to receive financial aid unless they are currently enrolled. Any time that you want to take a break from your studies, you must work with your Success Coach. Typically, documentation will be required to confirm your return date (as reflected in an Academic Plan of Study). How long you are on break determines the impact to your financial aid eligibility.
When do I have to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
You should complete the FAFSA every year. The FAFSA is available every October and takes effect for the following July – June. Your FAFSA determines how much Federal Pell Grant, or Direct Loans you might be eligible for each year.
If I’m transferring from another school, how will my financial aid be impacted?
If you have received federal financial aid at your previous school, it may impact the amount and disbursement dates for receiving financial aid at UW Flexible Option. Each student’s situation is unique, so you should contact the UW Flexible Option Financial Aid Office (financialaid@uwex.edu) to review your individual situation.
Am I required to average six credit hours in a subscription period?
You are not required to average six credit hours in an subscription period, but not doing so prolongs your educational journey and will require you to find alternate means to pay your tuition. For example, a person earning three credit hours per subscription period will take much longer to complete an academic year (a full year longer) and will need to find alternate methods of paying their tuition much more frequently.
Why can’t I see my financial aid award in my campus portal?
Your financial aid award can be viewed and accepted only through your UW Flexible Option Student Portal. Your campus portal account will show the full tuition but will not show pending financial aid.
How do I pay my tuition using a 529 plan or using an employer tuition reimbursement plan?
If you are planning to use a 529 plan to pay your tuition or anticipate receiving tuition reimbursement from your employer, please contact the Bursar’s Office or Cashier’s Office of your home institution for assistance.