ED Announces ‘Final’ Extension of Student Loan Payment Pause

8/6/2021 – The Department of Education (ED) on August 6 announced it will extend the pause on student loan payment and interest accrual. The pause on payments will now be in place through Jan. 31, 2022. To find out more about the temporary relief that is being offered as well as additional opportunities including forbearance, deferment, etc., please visit the following link.

New Seahawk Emergency Aid Fund

10/7/2020 – OSFA has established and launched the Seahawk Emergency Aid Fund for students with unexpected expenses that they may incur.  These may include expenses such as childcare, dental, food, graduation-related expenses, housing, medical, and transportation.  You may apply here.  For Covid-19-related support and information, please review these resources. 

Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid Launches YouTube Channel 

2/26/2021 – The Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid has launched their YouTube Channel as of February 26! This channel will feature how-to videos along with a number of videos to help you understand the financial aid process. We encourage you to visit our channel and subscribe today! 

UNCW Virtual Office Hours and Lobby Drop-Box  

8/14/2020 - To help assist you during this difficult time and to ensure all are as safe as possible, you can drop off forms in our lobby in our secure drop-box, reach us via phone at 910-962-3177 830am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, or meet virtually with your financial aid counselor during Zoom Office Hours of 9AM-10AM and 3PM-4PM, Monday through Friday.  If these times do not work for you, email your counselor to schedule a time to chat.

COVID-19 Updates, OSFA Operations and Emergency Fund 

3/19/2020 - As news about the coronavirus develops, please be aware that updates related to how UNCW is affected will continue to be posted on this page.  In an abundance of caution and with guidance from the University and state officials, our staff will be working remote until further notice.  Please contact your counselor directly or use our Live Counselor option to chat live with a counselor.  We will respond as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. If you would like to apply for the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund, please click this link. Completion of this form does not guarantee receipt of emergency aid.

StudentAid.gov Now Offers Aid Resources All in One Place

1/16/2020 - In order to streamline content and resources under one link, Federal Student Aid websites such as the FAFSA, Entrance Counseling, Loan Agreements and PLUS Loan Applications, have all been moved to studentaid.gov. Take a look around and see what changes have occured! 

ED Releases Highly-Anticipated Verification Guidance

1/9/2019 - (Excerpt) - The Department of Education (ED) released guidance on the verification process on Wednesday that would decrease the burden on students, families, and financial aid administrators and ensure easier access to federal financial aid.

In an electronic announcement, ED wrote that it would allow copies of tax returns and written statements of non-filing to be accepted for verification purposes in lieu of obtaining IRS tax return transcripts and verification of non-filing (VONF) forms for both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 application years. This guidance is effective for all verifications conducted on or after January 9, 2019, regardless of FAFSA processing date.

Year-Round Pell

Year-Round Pell allows students to receive up to 150% of a regular grant award over the course of the academic year so that they can continue taking classes in the summer and finish their degrees faster than they would otherwise.  This additional 50% requires that you be at least half-time and this usage goes toward the 600% LEU.

Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility (SAP)

Once you’ve filled out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and received your grant, loan, or work-study funds to help you pay for college or career school, make sure you stay eligible throughout the academic year—and in subsequent years.

• Continue to Meet Basic Eligibility Criteria
• Make Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Fill Out the FAFSA® Form Each Year

Past OSFA News and Announcements