Completing the process for Scholarships & Financial Aid
Once you've been admitted to the university and applied for financial aid and UT Austin scholarships using the ApplyTexas Application for Freshman Scholarships, the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) will review your application to determine the types of aid (grants, scholarships, work-study and/or loans) for which you qualify. If you're admitted to the university, the following things will happen as the scholarship and financial aid process continues.
Steps in the Scholarship Process
1. We'll notify you that we've received your scholarship application.
If we have an e-mail address for you, we'll let you know when we receive your scholarship application. Make sure that the university has a valid e-mail address for you to ensure that you receive official notifications from the university.
2. We'll notify you about scholarship awards.
If you are selected as a scholarship recipient, you will be notified by the Office of Student Financial Services no earlier than March 1. Academic units making scholarship offers to entering freshmen may begin their notification process earlier.
If you completed the FAFSA for need-based aid, scholarships offered by the Office of Student Financial Services will be a part of the financial aid package included as part of your Electronic Financial Aid Notification (EFAN).
3. You complete the steps needed to accept your scholarships.
Some scholarship recipients may receive a separate acceptance letter for specific scholarship offers. Such letters may tell you of specific requirements to receive your scholarship or explain conditions to maintain eligibility. Carefully follow the directions and adhere to any deadlines noted in your acceptance letters or EFAN to ensure that you do not jeopardize your scholarship award(s).
4. You receive your scholarship funds.
In most cases, scholarship and financial aid awards are distributed a few days before classes begin. Before your funds are released, you must submit your acceptance and any other required documents, register for full-time hours or approved part-time hours and choose a tuition/fee bill payment option.
When your funds are disbursed, they will be applied directly to any outstanding debt that you currently owe to the university, your tuition and housing expenses, for example. After your university debts are paid, remaining funds are released to you through direct deposit into your bank account or by a mailed check.
Receiving Outside Scholarships
If you applied for department scholarships separately or scholarships from a foundation, private company or community group, you will hear about those awards separately. You are required to notify the Office of Student Financial Services of any scholarships or waivers that you will receive from sources other than the Financial Aid office. Students are not permitted to receive more financial aid, scholarships or waivers than the amount needed to cover the cost of education.
If you receive a scholarship check or if the donor wishes to send your funds directly to UT Austin, visit texasscholarships.org for instructions about where to send these funds so they are processed appropriately.
Steps in the Financial Aid Process
1. We'll notify you by e-mail that we've received your FAFSA information.
After you complete the online FAFSA, the federal government must process your information before it's available to universities. UT Austin typically receives FAFSA data after Feb. 15.
If we have an e-mail address for you, we'll let you know when we receive your FAFSA data. You should make sure that the university has a valid e-mail address for you to ensure that you'll always receive official notifications from the university.
2. We'll review your FAFSA information.
After we receive your FAFSA information, we'll evaluate the application and e-mail you if additional documentation is required. If no further documentation is needed, our office will determine the type and amount of financial aid you will be offered. The decisions are made based on your financial need and the cost of education.
3. We'll notify you of your award.
After you're admitted, we'll send you an Electronic Financial Aid Notification (EFAN). The EFAN offers details about the kinds of aid for which you qualify and the amounts. We'll send you an e-mail about your EFAN (if we have a valid e-mail address for you); you'll also be able to link to your EFAN through Status Check by logging in using your EID and password.
We begin making awards around the end of March or the first week in April.
4. You respond to the EFAN.
When you're notified of your financial aid award, you should review the information carefully to decide whether you want to accept all the types of aid you are being offered. Once you decide, indicate your decision through the Electronic Financial Aid Notification (EFAN). This is the time to report any additional resources and/or scholarships you will receive.
5. You complete any additional program requirements.
Depending on the type of aid you are offered, there may be additional requirements that you must complete in order to receive your funds. For example, student loan recipients must also sign a promissory note and receive loan counseling.
6. You receive your funds (a few days before classes).
The Office of Student Financial Services disburses financial aid a few days before classes begin to students who have successfully registered for classes and selected an available payment option. Funds will be directly applied to any debt you currently owe to the university — your tuition and housing expenses, for example. You must pay any outstanding balance by the payment deadline.
If any funds remain after your university debts are paid, the balance will be paid to you by direct deposit into your bank account (if applicable) or by paper check.
Receiving Outside Scholarships
Many of our students receive scholarships from a variety of outside sources and donors (private companies, foundations and religious and community organizations). If you received a scholarship check or if the donor wishes to send the funds directly to UT Austin, visit texasscholarships.org for instructions about where to send these funds so they are processed appropriately.
Checking Your Financial Aid Status
To determine the status of your financial aid award, find out if your bills have been paid, or check if your money has been sent to you, use one of the following resources:
- CA$H (Check Aid Status Here), the personalized OSFS information website
- Student Accounts Receivable website
Updating Your Contact Info
If any changes to your mailing or e-mail addresses occur, please notify us immediately. If your local, permanent, and e-mail addresses are not current, information sent to you by the university (including financial aid checks) may be lost, delayed or returned to the university. E-mail is a university-approved form of official communication to students, so you should check your e-mail frequently.
You can update your contact information online with your UT EID and password or in person with a photo ID at the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS).
Questions?
Still have questions about making the transition to life as a Longhorn? Browse our list of Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
For financial aid questions, contact the Office of Student Financial Services.