Financial Aid

Financial Aid Step-by-Step 

To take full advantage of the financial aid available to you, it is important that you apply for financial aid by filing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible. By completing the FAFSA, you are applying for grants, loans and work study. You must identify SIUE (Federal School Code 001759) as one of your schools of choice. Some awards are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA

• File your FAFSA as soon as possible after December.
• Be sure to list SIUE as a school choice (federal school code: 001759).
• Approximately one week after submitting your FAFSA, the government will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) that addresses any corrections that need to be made to your FAFSA and gives an estimated expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is used to determine how much need-based aid you are eligible for and what your loan offer may be. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.

Step 2: Review Award Offer 

• SIUE retrieves your FAFSA information and sends you an email notifying you that your official Award Offer is available on CougarNet.

• Don't see an award offer? You may be selected for federal verification.  If you are selected, the University is required to verify that the information submitted on the FAFSA is correct. There will be a list of documents you will need to submit to SIUE on CougarNet. Some of the documents are forms you can receive from our office and some are records you have. Once verification is complete, you will receive your official Award Offer on CougarNet. 

Step 3: Understand your Cost & Accept Awards

• Decide how much aid you will need. We encourage you to use our Tuition and Fee Estimator to determine what your charges will be. 

• After you've decided how much aid you will need to accept, accept or decline the loans and/or federal work study you’ve been offered on Cougarnet. Please accept or decline the loans before July of each year. 

Step 4: Confirm Aid & Complete Forms

Some types of aid require additional steps before the funds can be applied to your account. 

• SIUE Scholarships: Registering for coursework is the acceptance of the scholarships. You must be in at least 12 credit hours for the scholarships to pay. Be sure to meet the terms and conditions of each award.

• Pell Grant: Full eligibility is based on full-time status (12 credit hours). Enrollment in fewer hours will reduce the award.

• MAP Grant: Full eligibility is based on 15 credit hours. Enrollment in fewer hours will reduce the award.

• Federal Work Study: In order to earn federal work study funds, a student must apply and obtain a student employment position on campus. More information on how to apply for jobs can be found here. 

• Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans: First-time borrowers need to sign a Master Promissory Note, complete Entrance Counseling and complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement. This can be done online. 

• Parent (or Graduate) PLUS Loans: The parent (or graduate student) must complete a credit-based PLUS loan application online.  If approved, the parent must also complete a Master Promissory Note and Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement. 

• Alternative Loans: Find a lender that works best for you. Complete their application process. SIUE will be notified of the loan and will apply to your account.

• Any accepted awards will be divided evenly between fall and spring terms. Summer financial aid is determined when you enroll for summer term. You will receive a separate Award Offer for summer term. 

Step 5: Ensure Financial Clearance

Financial Clearance happens when either:

• You have enough confirmed financial aid to cover your entire balance; OR
• Of any remaining balance, you have made the required payment to the Bursar. 

Financial Clearance does not mean that your entire bill is paid. Rather, that you meet the criteria mentioned above. 

How do I know I'm "financially cleared?"

• The SIUE App
  • "At a Glance" > "Financial Clearance" 
    • "Cleared" or "Not Cleared" 
• Student Bill on CougarNet
  • Student > Student Account > Student Bill > Term (Example: "Fall 2023") > Submit
  • Under "At a Glance" 
    • "Cleared" or "Not Cleared" 

Step 6: Confirm Eligibility

At the end of each term, every student is monitored for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) regardless of intent to use financial aid. You will be notified if any action is required on your part.