UNCG is now accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors for the 2009 Merit Awards Program.  The Merit Awards Program recognizes and encourages exceptional academic ability and talent by awarding renewable scholarships ranging from $2,500 to full tuition, fees, room and board.  Merit Scholars are chosen primarily on the basis of superior scholastic achievement and potential.  Successful candidates will at minimum have a combined SAT score of 1200 from the math and critical sections (1200 out of a possible 1600 on those two sections), or an ACT composite score of 27, as well as a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.  This competitive scholarship program is only open to current high school seniors who will be starting college in the fall of 2009.  Merit Awards Program applications are due no later than January 5, 2009.  Please note that all applicants to this scholarship program must also be fully admitted to UNCG by the January 5th deadline.  Application and additional information are available at http://fia.uncg.edu/meritawards.

Emergency loans will be available for the fall semester no sooner than August 18, 2008.  Be aware that you should have your refund checks by August 22, 2008 so you may not need to apply.

If you see a message on UNCGenie that indicates your awards are not completed, that simply means the aid has not yet paid onto your account in the Cashier’s Office. This message will go away once the disbursement date is reached and your aid can be paid. You should also review your requirements link in UNCGenie to insure that you have completed all outstanding requirements so that your aid can pay to your account at the scheduled disbursement date.

Due to recent changes in federal regulations, the annual Stafford loan limits for undergraduate students who are enrolled as eligible and regular students in eligible undergraduate programs have changed. Effective for loan periods beginning after July 1, 2008, undergraduate students may now be entitled to receive up to an additional $2,000 in unsubsidized Stafford loan money. Please refer to the Loan Information section on our financial aid website for specific information on loan limits.

If you think you may be eligible for the additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan money and wish to borrow these additional funds, please submit a Secondary Stafford Loan Request Form to our office and we will make the award adjustment if you are eligible.

UNCG Laptop Grants will begin disbursement on July 7, 2008.  Please ensure that you are confirmed in your classes by viewing your estimated bill in UNCGenie and making sure you have a ‘Y’ beside the confirmed  indicator for the fall semester.  You should be confirmed, enrolled full time, and have all of your student requirements listed as satisfied on UNCGenie in order to receive your funds.

Please visit UNCGenie to ensure that you have all of your Financial Aid paperwork turned in so that your classes will be confirmed.  Please check your Student Requirements within the My Eligibility section under the  Financial Aid area of UNCGenie.  If you have outstanding paperwork it should be indicated there.

You should also check to ensure you don’t have any holds under the My Eligibility section as that can also keep your classes from being confirmed.

New students should have their immunization records turned into the Student Health Center by July 28, 2008 in order for financial aid to be applied to their bill.  This will allow the Student Health Center time to review and clear immunization records in time for the payment deadline of August 1, 2008 for the 2008-2009 fall semester.   If immunization records are not submitted and cleared by August 1, 2008 financial aid will not be applied to the student bill.

If you want to plan effectively for college and minimize your overall debt, we recommend you review the financial literacy information available on the CFNC web site found below.

http://www.cfnc.org/paying/financial_literacy.jsp

This site provides information on setting and using a budget, misusing credit, and overspending. Use this information to make responsible choices about managing your money.

What is an Emergency Loan?

An emergency loan is a short-term loan granted by the Financial Aid Office to students who need assistance in covering expenses that result from unforeseen situations. Emergency loans cannot be used for tuition, fees, or other institutional charges.

How do I get an Emergency Loan?

To apply for an emergency loan, students must fill out an application in the Financial Aid Office. Most emergency loan decisions take place the same day as the initial request.  All approved emergency loan forms must be taken to the Cashier’s and Student Accounts Office in a sealed envelope provided by the Financial Aid Office.  Emergency loan funds are distributed by the Cashier’s and Student Accounts Office; picture ID is required.

How much can I receive in an emergency loan?              

The emergency loan is designed to assist with education related emergencies only.  If a student has financial aid to cover the emergency loan the maximum is $700.  If a student does not have financial aid to cover the emergency loan they must provide documentation to verify their ability to repay the loan.  The maximum amount a student can borrow in a non-financial aid emergency loan is $300.

How many emergency loans can I receive?

Due to the fact that emergency loan funds are limited, students are allowed only one (1) emergency loan per semester.  In order to ensure that all students have access to these funds as needed, we strictly enforce this policy.

When must I repay my Emergency Loan and how do I repay it?

When you receive an emergency loan, the borrowed amount is charged to your student account. If you are due to receive financial aid within this period, your aid funds will be applied to your emergency loan balance along with the other charges on your student account. If you will not be receiving financial aid or your financial aid has already been applied to your account (i.e. refund already processed), then you will be responsible for repaying your loan directly to the Cashier’s and Student Accounts Office within 30 days of receiving the emergency loan or by the end of the semester, whichever comes first.

Are there ever any exceptions if I need more that one emergency loan?

Students must complete an emergency loan appeal for any additional emergency loan requests.  Students must provide documentation to verify the emergency as well as verifiable ability to repay the loan.    The Emergency Loan Committee will review all appeals on a case by case basis.  Students will be notified within 24 hours of the final decision.

 http://fia.uncg.edu/forms/2008-09/Response0809.pdf