Frequently Asked Financial Aid Questions:


  • Q. How will I get my aid money?
    Accepted Financial Aid funds are automatically applied to your charges. Any remaining funds are sent the first day of the semester to the mailing address you have on USU Access. Or you can sign up to have the funds deposited directly into your checking account. Remember, you must be enrolled in at least six credits to receive any loan funds.

  • Q. How will my aid pay my charges?
    When you register, financial aid will show up on your account. Scholarships should show as paid; grants and loans should show as "memo's". Even though your aid is not available in cash, it is counted as payment for your classes. As long as the aid is sufficient, you will not lose your classes on the purge date. Checks for remaining funds after all your charges are paid will be mailed to the mailing address you have on USU Access (or deposited in your bank account if you have signed up for direct deposit) to arrive the first day of spring semester. After you register, you can look at your charges and check to be sure all your aid has been applied by logging into USU Access. Warning: Year-long independent study classes do not qualify for financial aid.

    Choose "Student and Financial Aid."
    Choose "Registration."
    Choose "Account Summary by Term."
    Select a Term:
    You need to scroll to the bottom of the form to see all the aid that will apply.

  • Q. Why did my grant adjust?
    Grants pay according to your enrollment status. For example, a full-time student generally receives twice as much as a half-time student. Your grant is now based on the credits that will appear on your transcript, which are the classes you are enrolled in on the last day to add. AC Grants and SMART Grants require full-time status. Dropping below 12 credits will require immediate repayment of these grants. More on this.

  • Q. How do I sign a Master Promissory Note?
    MPNs are available for signature at uheaa.org (the state guaranty website) approximately seven days after you accept and we certify your loan. For the upcoming school year, certification starts in July. You generally only need to sign a MPN once unless you change lenders. UHEAA will mail a notice to your mailing address when it is available to sign.

  • Q. I just got married. Can I change my application?
    Unfortunately, federal regulations forbid you from updating your marital status during the award year. (We believe this is unfair and invite you to contact your Congressional representative about having the U.S. Department of Education change their regulations.)

  • Q. Can I get aid for summer semester?
    Summer is the last semester of the award year. Students who have not used their full Pell grant or Stafford loan can receive remaining eligibility in summer. You can notify us the first week of March that you will be attending summer and we will calculate your eligibility.

  • Q. Why do I have a Financial Aid Counselor?
    Your financial aid counselor is responsible for every aspect of your aid, from application to verification to disbursement to your account. Most students are awarded by the system without intervention from a staff member. But, if your situation is unusual, you should contact your counselor who can advise you about any options you may have.

  • Q. Can I have my parents or spouse deal with your office?
    The law requires us to protect your information. If you would like us to speak about your aid to your parents, spouse, or anyone else, you can give them that privilege by submitting a signed Access to Information form.

  • Q. Who handles third-party scholarship billing?
    Paula Quay in the Registrar's Office (paula.quay@usu.edu, 435-797-1075) in the Cashier's Office.

  • Q. Who handles Perkins loans?
    Brent Sorenson (brent.sorenson@usu.edu, 435-797-1426) in the Cashier's Office.