APPLICATION PROCESS

Students should apply for financial aid even if they have not yet been admitted. Effective 2/5/12.........NEW procedures for filling your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
FAFSA REGULATION CHANGES MEAN A FASTER AND EASIER APPLICATION!
STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE THE IRS DATA RETRIEVAL PROCESS.

How to Avoid Delays when utilizing the DATA RETRIEVAL PROCESS:
Beginning February 5, 2012, filers will be able to use the new Data Retrieval Process. The Data Retrieval Process allows the applicant to view and transfer IRS tax return data directly from the IRS website into the appropriate fields on the FAFSA. This means the FAFSA application process is faster and easier than ever!

• AFTER FEBRUARY 5 - If you can wait until February 5, submit your FAFSA and use the Data Retrieval Process. Waiting until the Data Retrieval Process option is available on February 5 is strongly encouraged.

• BEFORE FEBRUARY 5 - If you file your FAFSA before February 1, monitor your myUH account in the event that more documentation is needed because you may have been selected for verification.

PROVIDE CONSISTENT INFORMATION - A computer process scans your FAFSA and tax return to ensure all information matches. Please take great consideration in providing consistent information to avoid being flagged for verification. For example, listing "123 Main St." on your tax return and "123 Main Street" on the FAFSA could cause delays. It is recommended that you have your tax return in front of you as you fill out the FAFSA to ensure consistency.

• Students should file tax returns as soon as possible as it takes several weeks for the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval Process to become available once the tax return has been filed:
• Electronic tax returns—allow 2 weeks for FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval to become available
• Paper tax returns—allow 8 weeks for FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval to become available
• In order to apply for financial aid, a student must first request a PIN on line. Once you have your PIN, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the only application the University of Houston requires for need based financial aid. You will need your tax information available when you complete the FAFSA. The entire application must be complete. As a graduate student, you are automatically considered independent for financial aid purposes. Parental information is not required, but if married, the spouse's information is required. Be sure to indicate the University of Houston's school code 003652. Tips to avoid errors when filing your FAFSA.
  
• Once your FAFSA has been processed by the Central Processor at the Department of Education (ED), you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review the SAR carefully for accuracy. Based on the information that you provided on the FAFSA, the Central Processor will determine an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and indicate this figure on the SAR.
• Once you are accepted to the Law Center, the SFA Office will receive the same information electronically from the ED. The school will determine your financial aid eligibility. The Cost of Education (COE) is determined by the SFA office each spring. This budget is developed based on the cost of living in this geographic area. The COE is based on:
• Tuition & Fees
• Books
• Room and Board
• Personal Costs
• Transportation
• The COE minus the EFC equals your need based eligibility such as grants, Federal Perkins Loans and/or Federal Direct unsubsidized loans. Your total financial aid package can equal, but not exceed the COE. All need based aid is awarded on a first come-first served basis to accepted applicants beginning the first of April 1st. Once your award is processed, any unmet need will have to be through personal resources, a federal Grad Plus loan or private loan, both of which are credit based.
• The SFA office will begin notifying accepted students of their financial aid award package by e-mail no earlier than late April. The SFA office continues awarding on a rolling basis as financial aid files are completed and students are accepted. The award notification will be sent to you with instructions on how to accept your award(s) on line. Financial aid funds will be applied to your student account no sooner than the first day of class. Financial aid will pay your tuition and fee bill and the difference will be refunded to you for your living expenses.

University of Houston Law Center
Financial Aid & Scholarship Office
100 Law Center
Houston, Texas 77204-6060
(713) 743-2269
School Code 003652
lawfinaid@uh.edu