Applying for Financial Aid
Like other colleges and universities, The University of Texas at Austin administers a range of financial aid beyond fellowships, awards and student employment.
To apply for financial aid:
Complete the FAFSA and accept financial aid awards
By January 15, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if you think you’re not likely to qualify for need-based aid, it’s still a good idea to apply. If you complete your FAFSA, you'll receive a financial aid notification in early spring, which will direct you to view the awards that are available to you and accept your financial aid package on CASH (Check Aid Status Here). For more information on this process, please visit the Understanding Your Aid page on the Texas One Stop website.
More Information
Monitor CASH
The university’s CASH—Check Aid Status Here—system provides information about the status of your financial aid applications. It’s also where we’ll notify you of any additional documentation required.
Types of Aid
Available aid includes:
Grants
Grants, including the UT Grant and the Texas Public Education Grant, are a form of need-based financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Individual awards range from $1-10,000.
Loans
The U.S. Department of Education offers various federal student loan programs. Most graduate students participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Direct Loan offerings include the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct Plus Loan. Additionally, Texas offers a limited number of low-interest loans to students who are residents of the state.
Finally, private education loan programs are available in cases where the federal or state loan programs are inadequate to meet educational expenses. Generally offered by for-profit lending institutions, private education loans provide funds from a private lender or bank of the student’s choice. Federal student loans include many benefits not typically offered with private loans, such as fixed interest rates and income-based repayment plans. In contrast, private loans are generally more expensive (variable interest rates, additional fees) and require an established credit record or a cosigner.
Exemptions and Waivers
Some students—especially those receiving fellowships or working in assistantships—are eligible for exemptions and waivers. The Office of Accounting’s Student Accounts Receivable offers additional information about eligibility, as does College for All Texans.