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Yes. Just like you do your taxes every year, your financial aid status needs to be updated and readdressed every year. You should fill out a new FAFSA after you complete your yearly tax forms. 

Students must confirm that they will be attending a South Dakota Board of Regents university each and every semester they are enrolled to specify their payment information and refund preferences along with verifying their addresses on record. Also, by completing this process, financial aid offices can award students more efficiently and quickly. Attendance Confirmation is completed in Webadvisor about 20-30 days prior to the start of each semester. Students receive an e-mail regarding how to complete this process from their HOME school. The link to complete Attendance Confirmation can be found at the upper part of the screen on the "Student's Menu" in Webadvisor about 20-30 days prior to the start of the semester. Bullet points on Attendance Confirmation:

• Confirm attendance for upcoming term
• Select payment options and responsibilities
• Select refund preferences – mail out service or Direct Deposit
• Refunds will not be generated unless attendance confirmation is completed
• Review and update address and contact information while attending school
• Designate a Refund address – valid only if you select mail out service and you wish the refund to be mailed to an address other than the address while you are attending school

Yes, you must be seeking a degree or be enrolled in an eligible certificate program to qualify. Contact the financial aid office if you have questions on your eligibility.

Yes. Knowing many of our students are balancing work, school and a family, UC offers flexible payment options. Find payment plans here.

The FAFSA evaluates factors such as assets, family income, household size and the number of family members in college to estimate what a family can provide for educational expenses and what "need" is remaining. It is the "need" which determines the amount of federal aid you are eligible to receive.

As an undergraduate, you need to be enrolled in at least six credit hours. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least five credit hours.

Undergraduate limits range from $5,500 to $12,500 per year depending on certain factors, including your year in college. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 each year. In addition, PLUS loans may also be available for graduate students to help pay for their education.

Your home university will send you an award letter that lists what financial aid you are eligible for. 

Your home university through which you are seeking a degree will process your aid.

Your FAFSA code will depend on which university you’re earning your degree from:
USD: 003474
SDSU: 003471
DSU: 003463
NSU: 003446
BHSU: 003459

FAFSA has strict qualifications for determining independent students, and this status may not match your tax filing status. Find the guidelines for independent student status here.

For Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters, you should fill out the FAFSA form that has the same start and end years (i.e. if you want Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Spring 2016 to be eligible for aid, you would fill out the 2015-2016 FAFSA. The online form can be found at www.fafsa.gov. You will need to have your recently filed tax forms, W2s, and a PIN (Electronic Signature) in order to complete the form. If you need a PIN (or can’t remember it), you can get obtain it by visiting www.pin.ed.gov. If you have a PIN and can't remember it, choose "Request a Duplicate PIN." 

A financial aid award includes a variety of financial sources to help you meet the cost of college. Awards consist of student loans, grants, scholarships and other gift aid. 

Your EFC is your estimated family contribution determined by the FAFSA. This is the amount that the FAFSA estimates you can provide for education expenses as determined by your family’s financial situation. Your EFC is a set amount and will be the same at every university.

A subsidized direct loan is awarded based on need; the loan offers a low interest rate, and no interest will accrue on it while you’re in college. An unsubsidized direct loan is not awarded on the basis of need. This loan accrues interest from the time of disbursement.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form used to apply for financial aid including loans and grants. Scholarships are applied for and processed separately through University Center. Start your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.

Students access their bill using the SDePay system available through WebAdvisor. We do not send paper bills. Payment is due in full the day following the add/drop date, which is uniquely set for each term, but typically falls within the first 10 days of the start of classes. 

You should always maximize your federal student loan options before seeking private loans. Federal student loans are guaranteed and regulated by the U.S. government and do not require a credit check. These loans also have a fixed interest rate that is lower than most private student loans. Private student loans are not subsidized by the government and aren’t regulated as closely. They may have variable interest rates and fees based upon your credit profile.

Although applying for a private or alternative loan may seem easier, remember that federal student loans usually have lower interest rates and better repayment options. Additionally, universities use information from the FAFSA to determine other types of financial aid including grants and work opportunities.

Federal regulations require that a student complete (earn) a minimum of 67 percent of the credits they attempt in order to remain eligible to receive student financial aid. Attempted credits and credits earned are accumulated at the end of each semester.

Attempted credits include:

1. All credits for courses in which a student is formally enrolled as of the first day of class (this includes credits taken at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree levels and credits taken during enrollment as a non-degree student)
2. All credits that a student drops or adds after Add/Drop Period and any drop or withdraw that might happen before the last day to withdraw (see Academic Calendar)
3. All credits for courses in which the student enrolled, but subsequently withdrew or failed
4. Transfer credits from another school that are accepted
5. Credits earned through examination and credit by portfolio assessment

Earned Credits include:

1. All credits completed with grades of 'D' or better as well as Satisfactory and Pass grades
2. Pre-general courses count toward aid eligibility (i.e. ENGL 033, MATH 095, etc.), but only courses numbered 100 or higher count in completed credits; therefore they impact a student's satisfactory academic progress requirement for financial aid. A passing score of "RS" is used in determining continued eligibility as RS is "Remedial Satisfactory"
3. Transfer credits from another school that are accepted
4. Credits earned through examination and credit by portfolio assessment

Example: If a student who has attempted a total of 30 credits after one year of enrollment and completed 12 credits in the fall and 6 credits in the spring, for a total of 18 credits, does not meet the minimum 67% completions rate [18 (divided by) 30 = 60%] This student is below the minimum 67% required completion rate and does not meet the Student Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard and risks loss of eligibility to receive student financial aid.

Students who fail to complete 67% of their cumulative attempted credits risk loss of eligibility for student financial aid.

Undergraduate degree students who fail to complete a minimum of 67 percent of their cumulative attempted credits at the end of a semester will be placed on a 1 semester Financial Aid Probation Status for their next semester of enrollment. Undergraduate students failing to meet the required 67 percent completion requirement after a semester on Financial Aid Probation Status will be denied student financial aid in future semesters until their completion rate is back to 67 percent or higher.

Students are only allowed 1 Financial Aid Probation semester. Graduate and professional degree students who fail to meet the 67 percent completion requirement will be denied student financial aid until their completion rate reaches 67 percent or more of credits attempted. Graduate and professional students do not receive a 1 Financial Aid Probation semester.

University Center offers a deferment program for students with employers offering tuition reimbursement. To enroll, you need the following items:

1. Signed authorization form from your employer stating that the employer agrees to reimburse the student for tuition.
2. Copy of your employee handbook or policy manual page(s) that state what requirements must be met in order for the employer to make a payment. For example, some employers require that the student earn a “C” grade or above before reimbursing the cost of tuition.

Bring these items to the UC Business Office to complete your deferral agreement. Here, you will also need to sign a deferral agreement. The tuition due date is usually calculated as a date after grades are posted for that semester. Please note: a new deferral agreement must be completed for each semester, and the items listed above are required each time.

The deferral agreement obligates students to pay the amount owed by the date for final payment regardless of whether or not they have been reimbursed by the employer. Failure to pay by the posted final payment date can result in a late fee, an administrative withdrawal from all classes at University Center, the inability to obtain transcripts and the inability to register for next semester's courses.

A college or university that received qualified tuition and related expenses on your behalf is required to file Form 1098-T with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 states that educational institution are required to file and furnish a Form 1098-T to students whom payments for qualified billed tuition and related expenses were received during the applicable (Jan-Dec) calendar year. The information being reported to the IRS verifies your enrollment with regard to certain eligibility criteria for the Hope Tax Credit, the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit and the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction. However, the enrollment information by itself does not establish eligibility for either credit or deduction. Since the University sends your 1098-T information to the IRS, there is no need to attach a copy of the form to your tax return. The information contained in the 1098-T will help you to determine if you may claim the Hope or the Lifetime Learning education tax credits. View your 1098T by logging-in to Heartland Campus Solutions (ESCI).  For Heartland Campus Solutions Customer Service call (866) 428-1098. Visit the following SDBOR link for step by step instructions for getting your 1098-T:  SDBOR Website. 

In order to qualify for federal college loans and grants, all young men must register with the U.S. Selective Service System when they turn 18. Registering will also keep men eligible for important opportunities like jobs and job training programs. The easiest way to register is to check 'yes, register me' when filling out the FAFSA, or register online at https://www.sss.gov/Home/registration. There's no late penalty for registration, but once a man turns 26 he can no longer register, and becomes permanently barred from all opportunities associated with registration, including college loans and grants. Visit www.sss.gov to learn more.