Undergraduate, graduate, and law students should take the following steps to apply for financial aid each year of their intended enrollment at the University of Oregon.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA, online at http://fafsa.ed.gov, or complete the paper application and mail it to the federal processor. Either type of FAFSA should be completed in the January prior to enrollment at the University of Oregon each year.

Further information on applying for federal, state and university financial aid is available here.

The Five-Minute FAFSA Video (YouTube)

Funding Education Beyond High School: Audio Highlights

What happens after you apply for Federal, State and University Financial Aid

Students who have applied for admission and have had an official FAFSA provided to the UO by the federal processor should receive a Financial Aid Award Letter packet in the mail from the University of Oregon. The Financial Aid Award Letter will indicate the types and amounts of financial aid for which the student is eligible during the academic year. Award letters are typically sent to eligible students beginning in April. They are sent to eligible students on an on-going basis throughout the year based on the date that the official FAFSA is provided to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. A response to the offer of assistance is typically required within thirty days from the date printed on the letter.

Accepting your Financial Aid Award Letter

You may accept your award in one of two ways:

• Those students who have been issued a University of Oregon Personal Access Code (PAC) number may accept their award online via Duckweb by utilizing the instructions here.
  
• Sign and return the green copy of the award letter via mail or in person to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Further information about accepting your Financial Aid Award Letter can be obtained here.

Requirements for the Direct Stafford, PLUS and Perkins Loans

Entrance Counseling

For students borrowing from the Direct Stafford Loan program, they must complete Entrance Counseling before they are provided their first loan disbursement, unless they have previously borrowed a Direct Loan. Students should complete the Entrance Counseling requirement online, or by dropping by the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Promissory Notes

In order for students to receive their Direct Stafford Loans and/or the Perkins Loan they must complete and sign a promissory note. A promissory note is the binding legal document you sign when you receive a student loan. It lists the conditions under which students are borrowing and the terms under which they agree to pay back the loan.

In the case of Direct Stafford Loans, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) may be completed online. This Direct Loan MPN need only be signed once while the student is enrolled at UO.

Students who have been offered and have accepted a Perkins Loan will be mailed a promissory note and a Statement of Rights and Responsibilities form that must be completed, signed and returned to the Business Affairs Office/Perkins Loans.

If a parent has been offered a Parent PLUS, they must complete the Parent PLUS Application Form, and sign and return it to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Parents must also complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN may be completed online. A paper copy of the PLUS MPN may be requested from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

 

Payment of Financial Aid, Scholarships and Work Programs

Financial Aid and Scholarships

All federal financial aid, most scholarships awarded through the university, and all fee waivers awarded by university departments are applied directly to the student billing account at the beginning of each term or once the student has fulfilled the requirements to receive the funds.

After current charges on the student's billing account have been paid, any excess financial aid is disbursed to the student through direct deposit into their private bank account. Students authorize the disbursement of their refund to their checking or savings bank account via Direct Deposit by completing and returning the authorization form to the Payroll or Student Loan departments, located on the first floor of Oregon Hall.

If students have questions about their bill, or their refund check, please visit the Student Billing Office web site at http://baowww.uoregon.edu/studentservices.htm.

Federal Work-Study and UO Work-Study Programs

Students will receive money from Federal Work-Study and UO Work-Study Programs as wages for hours worked during the pay period. Paychecks come from the Payroll Department and are generally available the last working day of the month.