Consortium Agreements
If you are taking classes at another institution but you still intend to graduate from UNI, you might want to look into a consortium agreement. Consortium agreements allow you to count credit hours taken at another school toward your enrollment status at UNI to ensure you are eligible for the maximum amount of financial aid. Review the information below to learn more.
To Qualify in the Fall or Spring
- Have a completed a FAFSA and qualify for financial aid
- You must be enrolled in your classes prior to the 10th day of the semester.
- Your class(es) must meet a requirement for your degree
- You must be in enrolled in equal or more credits at UNI compared with the host school (you can't be enrolled in more credits at the host school)
- Have not yet completed a consortium agreement in any other fall or spring semester (you may only complete one consortium agreement for a fall/spring semester)
- The other institution you are attending (the host school) must allow consortium agreements with UNI
- Self-paced online courses are not eligible
- The consortium agreement must be completed before the end of the semester
EXCEPTION: Students in the 2+2 Elementary Education program can be enrolled in more credits at the host school and can complete as many consortium agreements as needed.
To Qualify in the Summer
- Have a completed a FAFSA and qualify for financial aid
- Your class(es) must meet a requirement for your degree
- There is no UNI enrollment requirement for summer consortium agreements
- You may complete as many summer consortium agreements as needed
- The other institution you are attending (the host school) must allow consortium agreements with UNI
- Self-paced online courses are not eligible
- The consortium agreement must be completed before the end of the semester
How do I determine if I need to complete a consortium agreement?
Fall/Spring Semester:
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If you are already enrolled full-time at UNI (12 credits for undergraduates; 9 credits for graduates), you don't need to complete a consortium agreement. You are already eligible for the maximum amount of your financial aid.
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If you are only eligible for loans (you don't have any grants or scholarships), you only need to be enrolled half-time (6 credits for undergraduates; 5 credits for graduates). If you are already enrolled half-time at UNI, you don't need to complete the consortium agreement because you are already eligible for your loans.
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If you are eligible for grants or scholarships and you are enrolled less than full-time at UNI, you may need to complete a consortium agreement (if eligible).
Summer Semester:
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If you are already enrolled full-time at UNI (12 credits for undergraduates; 9 credits for graduates), you most likely don't need to complete a consortium agreement.
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If you are only eligible for loans (you don't have any grants or scholarships), you only need to be enrolled half-time (6 credits for undergraduates; 5 credits for graduates). If you are already enrolled half-time at UNI, you most likely don't need to complete the consortium agreement because you are already eligible for your loans. However, if you have received the maximum amount of your financial aid for the summer and you need additional loans to cover your expenses, you may need to complete a consortium agreement.
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If you are eligible for grants or scholarships and you are enrolled less than full-time at UNI, you may need to complete a consortium agreement (if eligible).
Procedures
Processing the Consortium Agreement
- The first step is to schedule a consortium agreement appointment.
- Next, contact your advisor to complete the Transfer Credit Evaluation form. This will help you determine how your class(es) will transfer to UNI.
- After the consortium agreement meeting, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will send the Host Institution the consortium agreement form to be completed with your enrollment information.
- The UNI Office of Admissions will confirm that the classes will apply to your degree program at UNI as you requested on the Transfer Credit Evaluation form.
- The UNI Office of the Registrar will enroll you in a "Consortium Exchange" placeholder class for the number of credits you are enrolled at the host institution. You should not drop this class.
- The UNI Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will finalize your consortium agreement and adjust your financial aid as necessary.
Responsibilities of the Student
- You must submit the Transfer Credit Evaluation form, signed by your advisor.
- You will be responsible for paying all program fees at the host institution. UNI does not send financial aid to the host institution.
- You must notify our office of any enrollment changes during the semester of the consortium agreement.
- You must provide an official transcript to the UNI Office of Admissions once your classes are complete.
- What is the purpose of a consortium agreement?
The purpose of a consortium agreement is to ensure the proper disbursement of financial aid. Financial aid eligibility is determined, in part, by your enrollment status (the number of credit hours you are enrolled in). For example, most scholarships require full-time enrollment, federal loans require half-time enrollment, and grants are prorated based on enrollment.
If you are taking classes at another institution, these credit hours will not be counted toward your enrollment status unless you complete a consortium agreement. The consortium agreement allows you to count credit hours taken at UNI plus the credit hours taken at another institution towards your enrollment status for financial aid purposes.
For example, an undergraduate student is taking 6 credits at UNI and 6 credits at another institution during the fall semester. By completing the consortium agreement, their enrollment status is now 12 credits, or full-time.
- Am I required to complete a consortium agreement if I'm taking classes at another school?
No. There are certain situations where students do not need to complete a consortium agreement.
- If a student is already enrolled full-time at UNI, they do not need to complete a consortium agreement.
- If a student only has federal and/or private loans, they only need to be enrolled half-time. If this student is already enrolled at least half-time at UNI, they do not need to complete a consortium agreement.
- If a student does not plan to use financial aid, they do not need to complete a consortium agreement.
If you're unsure whether or not you need to complete a consortium agreement, please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
- How many times can I complete a consortium agreement?
Students may only complete one fall/spring consortium agreement. This does not mean one per fall and one per spring; it means you may only complete one consortium agreement during the fall or spring.
Exception: Students in the 2+2 Elementary Education program may complete as many consortium agreements as needed.
Students may complete as many summer consortium agreements as needed.
- How many credits can I take at the other institution?
For a fall/spring consortium agreement, you must be enrolled in equal or more credit hours at UNI than at the other institution. This does not apply to students in the 2+2 Elementary Education program.
For summer consortium agreements, you may take as many credits at the other institution as needed. You are not required to take any credits at UNI during the summer.
- Does UNI help me enroll in classes at the other institution?
No. UNI staff does not enroll students or assist with enrollment at other institutions. The student will need to contact the other institution to receive assistance with enrolling in classes.
- Does UNI send my financial aid to the other institution or pay my bill at the other institution?
No. UNI never sends financial aid to other institutions and it is the student’s responsibility to pay their bill at the other institution.
Financial aid will first apply to the U-Bill at UNI. If the student has more financial aid than their bill, they will receive a financial aid refund. Students are strongly encouraged to sign-up for direct deposit if they expect to receive a refund.
- What are my responsibilities as the student?
The student must submit the Transfer Credit Evaluation form, signed by their advisor, before the consortium agreement can be processed.
- The student is responsible for paying their bill at the other institution.
- The student must notify the UNI Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships of any enrollment changes during the semester of the consortium agreement.
- The student is required to send an official transcript to the UNI Office of Admissions once their classes are completed at the other institution.
- How do I complete a consortium agreement?
To complete a consortium agreement, please schedule an appointment.