Parents & Family

Financial FAQs

In order for my student to continue his health insurance through my employee coverage, the insurance company wants proof that he is enrolled full time. Also, my auto insurance company needs proof of his grade point average so that we can keep his "good student discount." Where do we get that proof?

Students can download a form from the Web that will cover both these issues. The form is at the following Web site: Office of Financial Aid and Registrar. 

On that Web page, under the photo is a link to "forms".  Under the Registrar's forms is a link to the Acrobat Adobe file titled "Request for Certification".  Your student will need to sign the form.

Students also can get the form by going in person to the Student Assistance Center located in 21 Solon Campus Center.

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How do we know how much aid my student will be getting for school?

Once a student has completed his/her FAFSA, UMD will use this information to determine the student's financial aid award.  If the student is not selected for verification, an eFAAN (electronic financial aid award notice) will be sent to the student's University-issued email account, and the student will then be able to view, accept, or decline any awards online at www.d.umn.edu/fareg.  If the student is selected for verification, s/he will be required to provide any necessary documents before his/her financial aid is processed further.

A wide variety of additional financial aid information is available through the Financial Aid and Registrar website.

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How does my student get his/her financial aid money?

Most financial aid awards are credited directly to students' accounts. However, if the student receives alternative loans (except PLUS and SELF Loans), s/he will need to pick up the loan voucher in person in the Student Assistance Center (21 Solon Campus Center).  If the student receives outside scholarships, s/he may need to complete a routing slip in the Student Assistance Center before the funds can be applied to his/her account.  For additional details, please refer to our Disbursement of Funds Policy website.

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What is the tuition rate?

You can click http://www.d.umn.edu/registrar/feerate_2004-2005.htm to view tuition rates and fees for 2004-2005.

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When are bills due, and how can I make a payment?

The University of Minnesota has implemented an electronic billing and payment system called UMPay.  Students receive their bill electronically via their UMD email account, they may choose to set up and account to give parents access to the bill or print a copy to share with you.

Billing due dates, payment information, late fees, and payment locations.

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What if we need to borrow more money?

After students receive their financial aid award offers, they may be eligible to apply for alternative loans from private lenders if additional funds are needed to help pay the costs of education. You can access information, and apply online, for alternative loan programs through this website : http://www.d.umn.edu/fareg/loans_alter_guide.htm.  Please review this information carefully before deciding on an alternative loan program. Most alternative loan applications take 2-3 weeks for processing, and may require that the student pick up a loan voucher in the Student Assistance Center (Solon Campus Center 21) once if the loan is approved.

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How does my student complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling?

First time borrowers of federal student loans (Ford Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized) are required by the U.S. Department of Education to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), and an Entrance Counseling Quiz. These steps can be completed online through the following page (www.d.umn.edu/fareg). It is recommended that the student have his/her U.S. Dept. of Education-issued PIN number ready when s/he is ready to complete these requirements. If the student has lost or misplaced his/her PIN, s/he can apply for a new one through the site above.   

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Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) and Student Privacy

Parents often ask why they cannot receive a copy of their student's grades or financial aid information. Because the university is governed by FERPA, we are prohibited from releasing student record information to third parties without the student's written authorization.  Students over 18 are considered responsible and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them.

The easiest way for you to receive a copy of your student's grades, financial aid, or other information, is to have your student look up his/her record information online at www.d.umn.edu/fareg. Your student can then log in and print his/her information from the website and pass it on to you. 

Students can sign a release to give parents access to protected information. This form can be printed

online at www.d.umn.edu/fareg.  Choose ' Forms', then 'Student Information Release Authorization'.

Note: Having the release form on file does not mean that reports will be automatically mailed to parents or other authorized designees, but information will be made available upon request from the authorized third party.  Certain information, such as student grades, is not available via phone to students or parents.

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Where can my student look for student jobs?

All student jobs, on and off-campus, are posted online. Students can review the job postings at: www.d.umn.edu/umdhr/studentjobs/jobs.html. The job postings are updated frequently, and new positions may be added at any time.

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Scholarships

UMD offers a variety of merit and need based scholarships to students.  Please visit http://www.d.umn.edu/fareg/scholarships_overview.htm to review these scholarships and application criteria. Additional scholarship opportunities may exist through college programs at UMD.  Students should check with their collegiate unit for additional opportunities.

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Tax Credits

Students and parents may be eligible for certain education related tax benefits.  You can visit the following page to review helpful information and resources: http://www.d.umn.edu/fareg/Tax_index.htm

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