FINANCIAL AID FAQ

Not necessarily. Log on to your financial aid portal and make sure that you accepted all your aid and completed all required documentation. We will only apply your aid to your bill when we have received all the required documents. If you have submitted all your requirements contact our office to make sure that you have met all eligibility requirements for your aid.

If you have not already done so, your first step is to apply for your VA education benefits at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. Within a few weeks, you will receive a certificate of eligibility in the mail (if approved). Bring this document to the financial aid office. We are your certifying officials of VA education benefits. You may also e-mail the document to AMUFinancialAid@avemaria.edu.

Most AMU Scholarships and grants are renewable if you meet the minimum requirements, unless specified in the portal (check the Financial Aid portal for the requirements for your specific award). As for federal financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA each year and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of each term to be eligible for federal aid for the subsequent term. Click above to learn more about the SAP policy or contact the office of financial aid for more information. Our number is 239-280-1669.

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program has strict guidelines for student eligibility and renewal. Click here to see their handbook.

Institutional scholarships and grants only pay Fall and Spring terms.

If you have not used your full year’s allocation for student loan funding prior to the summer term, you will be able to apply the remaining amount to your summer tuition and fees. Please contact the Financial Aid Office after you have registered for the summer term.  Minimum half-time enrollment (6 credits) applies for Stafford student loans.

Pell is available for the summer term as long as you enroll in half time (6 credits)

Bright Futures – you may get Bright Futures in the summer as long as you enroll at least halftime (6 credits).

Aid will be evaluated and possibly prorated based on the % of time spent in the classes. ALWAYS contact Financial Aid before withdrawing to learn all the consequences.

If you must withdraw before the end of the semester, the Financial Aid Office will conduct a Title IV return calculation, whereby the amount of aid you have not “earned” during your enrollment must be returned to the program(s) from which it disbursed in accordance with AMU’s federally mandated return policy. This amount is jointly shared by AMU and the student and is based on your official withdrawal date or the date on which you last attended class.  Failure to notify the Office of Academic Records of your change in enrollment may constitute an earlier withdrawal date than actually occurred if your attendance cannot be properly verified, resulting in a greater return of funds.  You will also need to consult the Academic Records’ Office Policy of Withdrawal in the AMU Catalog concerning the amount of tuition and fees you are eligible to have refunded; in the event you withdraw after the fourth week of class, you may not receive any refund of tuition.  Be aware that Federal Student Aid may not cover all unpaid institutional charges upon withdrawal. You should take into consideration your financial responsibility to the institution, federal programs, and your lender prior to making your final decision.

Institutional money, including but not limited to scholarships and grant money, is awarded only for the fall and spring semesters.

If your situation is unusual or financial circumstances have significantly changed from the previous tax year, you may submit a Professional Judgement appeal. If you have questions, contact our office and we will be happy to help you through the process.

Professional Judgement Form

Excessive Awards

Eligibility for institutional aid may change based on funds received from other sources. The sum of all funding not including loans, Florida Prepaid, and distributions from qualified 529 plans are considered when determining eligibility. The sum of all remaining funds allocated to a student’s account must not exceed the cost of tuition, associated fees, and room and board (when living in campus housing). The only allowable excess is the estimated book allowance, provided in the cost of attendance, for books purchased only through the Follett online bookstore. The financial aid office will adjust the institutional aid awarded to affected students and email notifications will be sent. Refunds, if eligible, can only include loans, Florida Prepaid and distributions from 529 plans.

Yes. Please provide a copy of your Florida Prepaid College Tuition card to the student billing and follow the instructions on the web at https://online.myfloridaprepaid.com/ to apply your benefits.

• Parent Plus Loan:  Parent of a dependent student may apply at studentaid.gov.
• Non-Federal private educational loan information available at: FastChoice.
• Florida residents may qualify for the Bright Futures scholarship. For more information speak with your H.S. Guidance Counselor or visit https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPHome/SAPHome?url=home.
• Tuition Payment Plan: Please visit our website here.
• Explore our Other Financial Aid Resources page for some ideas.

FEDERAL AID

• Pell Grant – based on FAFSA application results
• Subsidized Student Loans – no interest charged until graduation
• Unsubsidized Student Loans – interest bearing from the day disbursed
• Parent Plus Loans – interest bearing from the day disbursed
• Federal Work Study
• FSEOG – Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

STATE AID

• www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/
• Bright Futures – based on state criteria
• Effective Access to Student Education EASE Grant
• Florida Student Assistance Grant – based on FAFSA result
• Other programs decided by the state

SCHOLARSHIPS

• Donor funded and institutional aid. Automatically awarded to students who qualify or by invitation only.

• Log in to your Financial Aid portal‍
• Look through the “To Do” list.
• Accept/Decline your financial aid package.
• In the link “Documents & Messages”, make sure you complete any requirement marked as “Not Received”.

Visit your financial aid portal. It will show an estimate of the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses. If you already have a financial aid offer you may subtract the total financial aid package from the total costs. The end result should be very close to what you will be expected to pay out of pocket. You will receive an official bill from the Bursar once charges are assessed after you enroll in your courses for the subsequent term.

You will receive an initial award letter from the financial aid office via mail. This letter will detail your financial aid package and give you instructions on logging in to your Financial Aid portal as a first-time user. Thereafter, if there are any changes to your package, you will be e-mailed again and instructed to look for an updated financial aid package in your financial portal.

To learn how to manage your money and handle your college debt, visit GRADREADY.

If you have an excess of funds for tuition and University fees, an amount of up to $600 per semester will be offered in advance of the start of classes, but no more than that to help pay for books or supplies in the Follet online book store only. You will be notified by the bursar’s office via e-mail and instructions will be provided. Please note: your eligibility to use these funds will be limited to a minimal period, such as the first week of classes. If you chose to not purchase your books with these funds, the aid will be reduced if the excess is a result of any institutional aid offered to you. If your excess is a result of loans, you will receive a refund. Please refer to AMU’s excess award policy above.

To learn more about the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy and see how to appeal the loss of your aid visit our web-site. You may also contact us at 239-280-1669.

You can check your balance in your self-service portal. Keep in mind that your bill will not be assessed until you enroll in your classes and or after a certain date determined by the bursar’s office. Contact them at 239-280-1673 for more information about your bill.

Go to:

1. https://id.avemaria.edu/
2. Password Reset Portal
3. Reset Password

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for all federal financial aid programs including grants and education related loans. The FAFSA process determines how much a family can afford to contribute toward the student’s college education based on household income and other factors.  The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance (COA) budget to determine unmet need. You can start applying as early as October 1st of each year for the next academic year.