Financial Aid Offer Letter

The Cost of Attendance includes both Direct Costs (billed directly by UNI) and Indirect Costs (expenses we estimate and you’re likely to have, but are not usually billed by UNI). As the indirect costs are estimated, we strongly encourage you to plan your own specific budget based on your housing selection & meal plan, transportation needs, etc.

The Cost of Attendance is also the maximum amount you can receive in financial aid.

Visit the Cost of Attendance page for more information.

Direct Costs are one part of the Cost of Attendance. Direct costs are billed directly by the University and include Tuition & Fees and Housing & Meals. For students living off campus, housing and meals will not be billed through the University but should still be included in your budget when planning for expenses.

The amount for Tuition & Fees on your financial aid offer is based on full-time enrollment. Housing and meal amounts will depend on your housing contract. Please see the University Housing & Dining website for details.

Indirect Costs are also part of the total Cost of Attendance and include books, personal expenses, transportation, and average loan fees (if you are borrowing federal direct loans). These expenses are not billed directly through the University and vary from student to student. The amounts listed on your financial aid offer are estimates and your own expenses may look different. We recommend working through a budget to help you estimate your own indirect expenses.

FREE money to help you cover your expenses at UNI.

Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted for students (with the exception of the TEACH Grant).

Sometimes.

Because need-based financial aid cannot exceed a student’s financial need, if your current financial aid offer is already meeting your full financial need and another scholarship is reported – other financial aid will have to be reduced to make room for the additional funds.

So you’re not getting any less financial aid overall, but you’re not able to get any more than your financial need.

We will always notify you via email of any changes made to your financial aid.

Please review our scholarship website for other Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions.

Loans must be repaid so make sure to only borrow what you need.

If you would like to use the federal student loans (Direct Unsubsidized and/or Direct Subsidized), you must accept them on your Student Center. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while you are enrolled at least half-time; unsubsidized loans start accruing interest at the time of disbursement.

For more information, please review our Loans website.

The Estimated Total Due listed on your offer letter is calculated by taking your Estimated Direct Costs and subtracting out the financial aid listed on your offer (e.g., grants, scholarships, loans).

Make sure to evaluate your individual needs as this amount is only an estimate.

If you need additional funding to cover your expenses, please review the following options. Additional funding may not be needed if your financial aid covers your direct expenses.

• 529 College Savings Plan
• Community/employer-based scholarships
• Military Benefits & Scholarships (please visit our Veterans page for more information)
• Income from on- or off-campus job (search the UNI Job Board)
  • If you were offered Federal Work-Study, this will not apply directly to your U-bill. You must find a work-study eligible job and you will receive the funds as a bi-monthly paycheck. Learn more on our Federal Work-Study website.
• Parent PLUS Loans
• Private Education Loans

The University also offers a Deferred Payment Plan, which allows students to make payments in installments throughout the semester.