Timelines

1.  Research Early (Junior Year of High School): 

  • Start researching potential colleges/universities and their financial aid policies. 

  • Look into scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance available.

2. Understand Deadlines: 

  • Pay close attention to application deadlines for both colleges and financial aid. 

  • Some scholarships and grants have early deadlines, so be proactive. 

3. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): 

  • The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st each year. Aim to submit it as early as possible. 

  • Double-check information for accuracy before submitting. 

4. Research Additional Forms: 

  • Some colleges may require additional financial aid forms, such as the CSS Profile. 

  • Be aware of any supplementary documentation required by individual institutions. 

5. Seek Scholarships: 

  • Continue researching and applying for scholarships throughout the year. 

  • Look for local scholarships, as well as national ones, to increase your chances of receiving aid. 

6. Review Financial Aid Offers: 

  • Once you receive financial aid offers from colleges, carefully review them. 

  • Compare offers from different institutions, considering factors such as grants, loans, and work-study programs. 

  • At the University of Montana, the tuition is fixed once at full time enrollment versus at some schools, you pay per credit even after full time enrollment is reached. 

7. Additional Documents 

  • Submit additional documents requested in a timely manner 

8. Special Circumstances: 

  • If you believe you there is a special circumstance that affects your ability to pay for college, ask about Special Circumstances. 

  • Politely contact the financial aid office, explain your situation and provide supportive documentation. 

9. Accept Aid and Finalize Plans: 

  • After comparing offers and negotiating (if applicable), accept the financial aid package that best suits your needs. 

  • Make sure to meet any additional requirements set by the college, such as submitting enrollment deposits. 

10. Stay Informed: 

  • Throughout the process, stay informed about any updates or changes to financial aid policies. 

  • Keep track of deadlines and requirements to ensure everything is submitted on time. 

11. Continue Seeking Aid: 

  • Even after starting college, continue searching for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. 

  • Explore opportunities for work-study programs or part-time employment to help cover expenses. 

October 1

FAFSA available to be completed for upcoming academic year (fall/spring)

November

Scholarship notices begin to be sent to newly admitted students

December 1

FAFSA Priority Awarding Deadline - applications are accepted after this date but may be more limited in aid offered

January

Award notices for the upcoming year begin to be sent

February 15

Application due for Continuing Student Scholarships administered by the Financial Aid Office

April 15

FAFSA should be submitted for students attending in the autumn term

June 15

Complete aid acceptance process in CyberBear

Submit all required documents for aid to be processed in time to appear on the autumn semester bill

July

Complete Federal PLUS Loan request authorizing credit check 

August

Select refund preference in CyberBear

Complete bill payment process for autumn term

Aid begins disbursing 1 week prior to start of autumn semester

September

15th class day - last day to add classes to increase Federal Pell Grant eligibility for autumn term

October 1

FAFSA available to be completed for upcoming academic year (fall/spring)

FAFSA should be submitted for students first attending in the spring term

November 1

Submit all required documents for aid to be processed in time to appear on the spring semester bill

December

2nd to last day of term - a valid FAFSA and all required documents must be processed by the financial aid office to receive aid for autumn term*

January

Summer Work-Study Only application available

Complete bill payment process for spring term

Aid begins disbursing 1 week prior to start of spring semester

15th class day - last day to add classes to increase Federal Pell Grant eligibility for spring term

February

Summer Aid Application available

FAFSA should be submitted for students first attending in the summer term

March

Summer award notices begin to be sent

April 1

Submit all required documents for aid to be processed in time to appear on the summer semester bill

May

2nd to last day of term - a valid FAFSA and all required documents must be processed by the financial aid office to receive aid for spring term*

Complete bill payment process for summer term

Aid begins disbursing 1 week prior to start of semester

June 30

Last day to file FAFSA if attending in summer*

July

5th class day of 2nd 6-week session - last day to add classes to increase Federal Pell Grant eligibility for summer term

* If a student withdraws during a semester, they have to have a valid FAFSA on file before they withdraw or they will not be eligible for aid. All required documents must be processed by the financial aid office before the student withdraws if they wish to receive a loan for that term. Students selected for verification who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant have up to 120 days from the last day they were enrolled, or September 15 (whichever comes first), to submit the required documents to receive the grant.