FAFSA
How often does a student need to complete the FAFSA?
Every academic year they want to be considered for federal student aid.
What does MAP stand for?
Monetary Award Program.
Is UIC Aspire a federal, state, or institutional program?
Institutional
Do federal student loans have to be repaid?
Yes.
Which FAFSA mistake would cause the BIGGEST problem?
A. Using lowercase letters
B. Accidentally reporting incorrect information
C. Completing it while wearing pajamas
D. Not remembering what FAFSA stands for
Accidentally reporting incorrect information
What information does the FAFSA use to calculate a student's SAI?
Financial, household/family, and other information reported on the FAFSA.
Is MAP a federal or state grant?
State grant.
FALSE
Who is the borrower on a Parent PLUS Loan. The student or the parent?
Student
A student says, "But TikTok said I qualify." What source should a counselor rely on?
A. TikTok comments
B. The student's cousin
C. Official financial aid/Federal Student Aid guidance
D. Reddit
Are you serious
True or False: A student should wait until they are admitted to UIC before adding UIC's school code to their FAFSA.
False. They can list UIC on the FAFSA before an admission decision.
What agency administers the MAP Grant?
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
True or False: A student can receive UIC Aspire during the summer semester.
FALSE
What is the typical grace period for a Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan after a student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time?
6 months
What's scarier to hear at reception: "I need to speak with a supervisor" or "My mom is on the phone"?
all of the above
A student says, "I submitted my FAFSA today. Why can't you see it?"
X Y Z
Two MAP-eligible students attend UIC. One is enrolled in 15 credits and the other in 9. Should you automatically expect their MAP awards to be the same?
No. MAP is adjusted based on eligible enrollment.
An Aspire student adds an eligible class before the applicable add/drop deadline, increasing their tuition and mandatory fees. Could their Aspire amount change?
Yes. Aspire can adjust based on eligible tuition/mandatory fees and enrollment.
Entrance Counseling & MPN
What's the #1 rule when you're unsure about a student's financial aid?
Don't guess. Review the account, verify the policy, and ask for guidance when needed.
A student tells you, "My parents refuse to help me pay for college, so I should be independent on the FAFSA." Is that enough by itself to make the student independent?
No. A parent's refusal to financially support the student does not automatically make the student independent for federal student aid purposes.
How many credit hours generally provide the maximum MAP award for the semester?
15 eligible credit hours
An Aspire-eligible student says, "My tuition and mandatory fees are covered, but I still owe for housing. Why isn't Aspire paying it?" What should you explain?
Aspire is designed to cover eligible tuition and mandatory fees; it does not cover housing or other personal/educational expenses.
A dependent undergraduate's parent applies for a Parent PLUS Loan and is denied due to adverse credit. What additional federal loan eligibility might become available to the student?
Additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility, subject to the applicable annual limits.
Name five different reasons why financial aid might not have disbursed to a student's account.
1,2,3,4, & 5