How to Apply for Financial Aid
1. Admission Status
To be eligible for Federal Financial Aid students must be completely admitted into
the university as a degree-seeking student.All high school and any dual enrollment
transcripts, as well as, all test scores must be submitted and reviewed before any
financial aid will be awarded. Incoming students who are degree seeking can receive
aid for their first term on a Provisional basis. You can contact the Recruitment and Admission Office at 318-342-5430 for your admission status. If you are a first-time student, you will need to apply for admission as a degree seeking student.
2. Complete/Renew the FAFSA
If you do not already have an FSA ID, create a new FSA ID.
The FSA ID allows you to "sign" your FAFSA electronically which creates a totally
paperless application process. Safeguard your FSA ID just like your Social Security
Number! Keep your FSA ID with all of your other important documents. You will use
your FSA ID again. Do not give your FSA ID to anyone!
If you are providing parental information on the FAFSA, one of your parents will also
need to apply for a FSA ID.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows the student to be automatically considered for federal and state financial
aid based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). You can apply online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- Be sure to include ULM’s school code, 002020, to your application.
- The application process can take at least 4-6 weeks.
- Be aware of deadlines.
- Students must complete a new FAFSA each year.
Important Reminder when completing the FAFSA
Link student and parent’s tax information to the FAFSA by using the IRS Data Retrieval
Tool under the Income section. If you do not link your taxes, you and your parents
will have to submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript to the Financial Aid Office for verification
of income. A tax return transcript can be obtained online at http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript or by calling 1-800-908-9946. If you are chosen for Verification, you will need
to complete all requirements Before any federal financial aid awards can be processed.
There is no charge for submitting or receiving help with your FAFSA. It is FREE!
The priority FAFSA deadline is April 1st.
3. Learn How to Use Banner (ULM's online system)
Check out our "How-To Instructions" for help with Banner navigation. BANNER is your personal ULM guide to...
- Check your financial aid status
- View any Unsatisfied Requirements
- Register for classes
- Check your Account Summary
- View and Accept your Award Offer
- View Academic Progress
4. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)
Your SAR is the summary of your FAFSA.
Your complete, correct SAR will contain your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the
number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility. To check the status
of your SAR visit: SAR status
It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive your FAFSA.
After You Have Applied for Aid
What Happens Next?
You have completed your FAFSA and received your Student Aid Report (SAR). The following
information will explain what happens next in the financial aid process.
Steps to continuing the financial aid process:
A. The ULM Financial Aid Office will start to download FAFSA information.
The FAFSA contains the same information as your SAR. We will electronically receive
your completed FAFSA from the Federal Processor.
Once we receive your FAFSA, students will receive correspondence by email to their
Warhawk account.
The receipt of your FAFSA marks the official beginning of the Financial Aid Office's
processing of your aid.
B. Additional Information, If Necessary:
This step will be different for each student. In this step you may be required to submit further documentation before your aid can be processed. Some
students will not need any further documentation, while others may have numerous issues
that will need to be addressed. You will need to carefully monitor your "Warhawk"
email account and the Student Self Service system so you will know if you need to
submit additional documentation.
Students (Self Service) can check their financial aid status online.
Check your Financial Aid Status Online using BANNER
Your financial aid cannot be processed until you have completed the Verification process
if chosen.
C. Student Academic Progress/Appeals
Federal regulations require that ULM establish policies to monitor the academic progress
of students who apply for and/or receive federal financial aid. If you are not meeting
these requirements you may have to submit an appeal before your aid can be processed.
For further information on the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy and the
steps to appeal click on the following link: Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Your financial aid cannot be processed until you have completed the appeal form and
the Appeals Committee has reviewed your appeal!
D. Awarding
Once you have completed your FAFSA and you have submitted all necessary documentation
(if required), you are now ready to be awarded aid. The awarding of aid is not the
end of the journey. You must now accept your awards on online (accept your award using BANNER).
5. Student Loans
All students taking out student loans will be required to complete an Entrance Counseling
Interview and
a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentaid.gov.
- Loans will not disburse until the beginning of the appropriate hour in which you are
enrolled. This is 6 hours for most Undergraduates and 5 hours for most Graduates.
- All financial aid awards are based on full-time enrollment status. On the last day
of Add/Drop, your award amount will be adjusted based on the current number of hours
in which you are enrolled.
6. Stay Informed and Up-To-Date
Continue to monitor your Banner Self-Service Account and ULM Student Email throughout
the Semester.
Carefully read the terms and conditions of your financial aid:
Your financial aid awards are subject to terms and conditions that impact how much
money you may receive.
ULM Communicates Electronically
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...to notify you that your FAFSA has been received.
...to notify you of missing requirements.
...to send you award notification.
...to keep you updated with announcements.
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We receive application data electronically.
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We disburse aid electronically.
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Your Warhawk email address is essential for the financial aid process at ULM.
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Check Banner frequently for additional requirements that could delay your aid.
Office of Financial Aid