UTMB Financial Aid Checklist

Now that you have been accepted to UTMB, have you taken all the steps to ensure you are financially ready?

• File the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  Include parental information even if you are an independent student.  UTMB has institutional grant money that is awarded to students from less advantaged backgrounds on a first come, first served basis, but parental information is required to determine eligibility.
• Create a budget.  You need this to know how much money you are going to need.   Here is an excellent tool - Budget Worksheet.
• Review current student loan debt.  Go to NSLDS and see how much you have already borrowed from federal loans.  Are you close to your lifetime maximums?

• If you are close to your lifetime limits, talk to your parents or other family member to see if they are able to help you financially or as a co-signer on a private educational loan.
• Watch your UTMB email for notifications from the Scholarship Office regarding application availability and deadlines and be sure to apply.
• Check your TO DO list in mySTAR regularly and take action when required.
• Enroll in Direct Deposit in mySTAR so that when your aid is disbursed, it goes directly into your bank account.
• Stay enrolled at least half-time. You are not eligible for most types of financial aid if you are not enrolled at least half-time (6 hours for an undergraduate and 5 hours for a graduate).
• Don't borrow more than you need.  Remember, you have to repay your loans when you graduate, so be responsible with your borrowing.  You can go to www.studentloans.gov and use the repayment calculator at any time to estimate what your monthly payments will be when you go into repayment.

Contact the Financial Aid Office.  We are available from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to talk with you.  You don’t need an appointment, so feel free to come by at your convenience.  You can also call us at (409)772-1215 or email us at sfinaid@utmb.edu.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.