Now that you've applied for and been granted aid, it's important to pay close attention to the process for receiving your aid! Financial Aid begins disbursing aid approximately one week before the first day of the semester. The sixth day of each semester is called the Financial Aid Census Date and is a snapshot of your enrollment at the beginning of that day. This is important because your financial aid and Pell eligibility are based upon your enrollment on the census date regardless of your enrollment before or after that snapshot. If you're a student with financial aid, it's critical that your financial aid is complete and you've finalized any course adds/drops before that date!
Viewing and Accepting Your Aid
Step 1: Review your financial aid letter!
- Once you've completed the FAFSA (and verified your information, if required), you'll be notified by email that your financial aid at UWRF has been awarded.
- Visit the Types of Aid page to get detailed information on each award. Generally, grants are gift aid that don't need to be repaid and are accepted on your behalf, while work study and loans are self-help aid - you'll need to accept them if you decide you want these awards.
- Carefully review the Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer guide and view the Application Process. Complete the required actions to receive your awards.
- Your aid package is likely to include a loan. If it does, carefully consider the amount of loan you want to accept. You can accept less than the amount listed or you can decline the loan entirely if you can finance your education without it.
Step 2: Accept or decline awards on eSIS
To accept or decline your financial awards:
- From your eSIS account (your Student Center), click on "View Financial Aid."
- Choose the correct aid year.
- View your award information for the year and read through the provided information.
- Click on "Accept/Decline Awards." You'll need to accept, decrease or decline the amount of any work study and/or loan awards on this page. Click the "Accept" box next to an award if you want the full amount. To decrease the amount, click the "Accept" box and enter your desired lesser amount. Click the "Decline" box to fully decline the award.
- Click "Submit" when finished. Once you've accepted or declined an award online, the amount can't be changed without contacting the UWRF Financial Aid office.
Paying Your Bill - Financial Aid Disbursements
Financial aid awards are split into two equal payments for fall and spring semesters. You'll need to become familiar with your eSIS account to ensure that all funds disburse and are applied to your bill correctly. It's your responsibility to monitor your account and ensure that your bill has been paid or payment arrangements have been made with Student Billing. Monitor the "Billing Statement" and "Pending Aid" areas of your eSIS account regularly and contact Financial Aid if your aid doesn't disburse when anticipated.
Check out our Billing Statement and Pending Aid tutorial for more information.
Sign up for Direct Deposit for Refunds
Financial aid is disbursed directly to UWRF to pay your tuition, fees, housing, dining and other charges on your account. If your aid and/or payments exceed the amount of your semester bill, a refund for the excess amount will be produced. Semester refunds are processed after the census date. To receive your refund, you must sign up for direct deposit through your eSIS account after you accept your awards. For more information on refunds, please see the Student Billing Refunds page.
First Time Federal Student Loan Borrower Instructions
If you're borrowing a Federal Direct Loan for the first time at UWRF, you must complete the Entrance Loan Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN). The goal of this required online tutorial is to make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities when borrowing a Federal Direct Loan. To complete the counseling and MPN, you'll need your social security number, FSA ID from the U.S. Department of Education and address and phone numbers for references. Log in at https://studentaid.gov with your FSA ID to complete your counseling and MPN.
Financial Aid
Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
