New Students and those applying for Readmission must apply for admission and be accepted into the University as degree-seeking students.

Parents and students should complete all sections of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal processor must receive the FAFSA on or before the preferred date of February 1 for entering freshmen, February 1 for continuing students and March 1 for transfer students.

Students applying after the preferred date will be awarded on a funds available basis.

Parents and students can complete the FAFSA on the Web or obtain a paper copy from a high school guidance counselor or from the Office of Financial Assistance Services (OFAS). Students who apply on-line must provide a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to serve as their electronic signature before completing "FAFSA on the Web." Students and parents can request a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.

To enhance the security of your U.S. Department of Education PIN and your personal information on the Web, there are two significant changes tot the PIN process you should be aware of.

If you already have a PIN, the first time you attemept to use it on or after December 26, 2004, you will be prompted to agree to a PIN Terms and Conditions Activation Agreement, which asks you not to share your PIN with anyone and to keep it in a safe place, and to select the answer to a challenge question.

Only you will know the answer to your challenge question, and it may be used to validate your identity in the future.

Florida residents

• must answer all questions on the FAFSA to be considered for the Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) which the University is unable to replace. The FAFSA and/or any corrections must be processed by June 1 in order to meet the deadline.
• must complete the Certification of Florida Residency ["Download as pdf.  (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, Download for free at Download Central)]"  and submit to the OFAS only if the student chooses not to file a FAFSA; however, the OFAS may still require that a student submit the Certification of Florida Residency application and provide proof of Florida residency even after completing the FAFSA. Preference will be given to applications received by June 1. All others will be awarded on a funds available basis. If you previously submitted a valid application, have been continuously enrolled at UM, and are still eligible, you will not be required to submit another application.
• must have their high school guidance counselor submit their information and authorization form to the Florida Bright Futures Program at the Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee. As an incoming freshman, eligibility is determined based on performance throughout high school. For further requirements contact your high school guidance counselor, or visit the Bright Futures Program website.

More information on State of Florida programs

Out-of-state residents

• must obtain scholarship or grant applications and submit to the appropriate agency in their home states. These documents are available through the state grant agency or high school guidance counselor. Please note: Not all states allow students to receive their state aid if they attend a post-secondary school out-of-state.
• Students who receive confirmation regarding eligibility for scholarship or grant funds through a local or state program should make a photocopy for their records and send all original documents to the OFAS.
• An Institutional Information Form for the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loan Program is required from students whose parents want to apply for the PLUS loan, but who did not file a FAFSA. In this case, this information form must be submitted with the application and promissory note for the Federal PLUS Loan.
• Once students have received notification regarding financial aid, they may decline any portion or the entire award. A letter of explanation should be submitted to our office if any of the offered aid will be rejected. Remember, prospective students will not receive an award letter until the University of Miami has officially accepted them.

The University recommends that you keep copies of all applications or documents you submit during your application process.

All estimated aid programs will remain estimated until necessary requirements have been met and confirmed (i.e. submission of requested documents, applications, etc.).

Important tips for completing the FAFSA