Financial Aid General Information

Here you will find information on the types of aid available to UIW students, how to apply for each award, and additional information about financial aid. Navigating the financial aid process is important for students and their families. A good starting point is to learn about the different types of financial aid that available, as well as how that aid is funded. Financial aid can come from the federal government, the state, the university, and other sources.

Types of Aid Available

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Federal Work-study program
  • Federal Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans
  • Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
  • Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
  • Federal Perkins Loan (discontinued as of 9/30/2017)
  • Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)
  • College Access Loan
  • B-on-Time Loan (renewal students only)
  • Academic Scholarships - awards determined through the Admissions application process. Main Campus, full-time students only
  • Athletic Scholarships - awards determined by the respective coaches and the compliance department
  • Performance Scholarships - determined by the respective department. Main Campus, full-time students only
  • Incarnate Word Grants
  • Student Employment
  • Outside scholarships from private donors
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, if applicable

Application Process

  • Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at Fafsa.ed.gov each year in order to apply for Federal aid.
  • Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at Fafsa.ed.gov each year in order to apply for state aid.
  • The priority deadline for state funding is January 15 of each year. In order to meet this deadline, students must have a valid FAFSA submitted to the Dept. of Education no later than January 15.
  • Students who do not qualify for the FAFSA due to citizenship/residency may utilize the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). Only the TEG grant may be awarded to TASFA students, at an annual maximum currently set at $3300 by the state legislature. TASFAs also have a priority deadline of January 15 for submission to UIW.
  • State loans require Texas residency. The student must begin the loan application process at Hhloans.com in order to verify credit approval.
  • Academic Scholarships - Academic scholarships are automatically awarded to qualified students at the time they are admitted to UIW. Main Campus, full-time students only.
  • Athletic Scholarships - Athletic scholarships are awarded to qualified students by the coaches of their respective teams.
  • Performance Scholarships - Performance scholarships are awarded to qualified students at the discretion of their respective department. Contact specific department chair for information on how to apply.
  • Incarnate Word Grants - Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at Fafsa.ed.gov each year in order to apply for Institutional grant aid. Merit-based scholarships do not require a FAFSA to be completed.
  • Student Employment - Students can inquiry about student employment positions through the UIW Human Resources Office.
  • Outside scholarships from private donors - students apply directly with the donor offering the scholarship.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) funding - the veteran will apply directly with the VA and/or transfer their eligibility to the student, if the student is their dependent

Additional Information

Federal (Title IV) Aid

  • Federal Pell Grant - eligibility determined by the EFC calculated on the FAFSA.
  • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - awarded to 0 EFC students only
    • For the 2020-2021 Academic Year
      • Allocation: 75% to Returning students, and 25% to New. Further divided into 90% for Fall/Spring students, 10% reserved for incoming Spring 2021 students.
      • Award criteria: FAFSA received, 0 EFC, and Financial Aid file completed by March 6, 2020; new students must also be confirmed before that date.
  • Federal Work-study program - awarded to students who indicate on their FAFSA they are interested
  • Federal Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans - Subsidized loans are need-based and will be awarded to students who qualify based on their FAFSA. Unsubsidized loans are not need-based and will be awarded based on grade level.
  • Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan - Parents of Dependent students on the FAFSA may apply online at Studentloans.gov. Requires a valid FAFSA.
  • Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan - Graduate students may apply at Studentloans.gov
    Requires a valid FAFSA.
  • Federal Perkins Loan (discontinued as of 9/30/2017) - Perkins loans are need-based loans offered to students with exceptional need. However, unless additional legislation is passed, this loan expires as of 9/30/2017.

State Aid

  • Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) - students must completed a FAFSA. Families must have an EFC below 19631 for the 2017-2018 academic year in order to qualify. TEG grants are need-based and can only be awarded to Texas residents who are either new students or are returning students who meet renewal criteria set forth by the State.
  • College Access Loan - students must be a Texas resident and must either meet credit criteria or have a cosigner who meets credit criteria. Approval is determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
  • B-on-Time Loan (renewal students only) - this program is being phased out by THECB, and only renewal students are eligible at this time.

Institutional Aid

  • Academic Scholarships - awards determined through the Admissions application process. Main Campus, full-time students only
  • Athletic Scholarships - awards determined by the respective coaches and the compliance department
  • Performance Scholarships - determined by the respective department. Main Campus, full-time students only
  • Incarnate Word Grants - awarded based on unmet need after merit scholarships and federal/state aid. Full-time, Main Campus students only.
  • Student Employment - students may apply directly with the department. Not all departments have student employment available. Career Services and/or Human Resources will post openings.

Other Aid

  • Outside scholarships from private donors - apply directly with the donor
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, if applicable - apply directly with the Veterans Affairs Office.

Timing of Disbursements

  • Main Campus - aid will be transferred to the Business Office three days before you begin attending the appropriate enrollment level, or the day on which all required documents have been received, including any updated FAFSA record required due to the Verification process, whichever is later.
  • Professional students - aid will be transferred to the Business Office 10 days before the student begins attending the appropriate enrollment level, or the day on which all required documents have been received, including any updated FAFSA record required due to the Verification process, whichever is later.
  • SPS students - aid will be split evenly between the expected sessions within the semester for which you are requesting aid. For example, Fall aid will be split between Fall 1/Fall 2. Aid will be transferred to the Business Office three days before you begin attending the appropriate enrollment level, or the day on which all required documents have been received, including any updated FAFSA record required due to the Verification process, whichever is later.

Refunds

  • The Business Office is in charge of sending all refunds for which you are eligible. The default method is by paper check to your permanent address. You may change your address with the Business Office.
  • No refunds will be sent before the 100% drop date of the term(s) you are attending.
  • We highly recommend utilizing our direct deposit option, which you may set up with the Business Office.
  • Financial Assistance is disbursed based on registration with the assumption that you will attend all courses for which you are registered.
  • Failure to begin attendance in one or more courses may result in your aid being reduced or removed.
  • The Federal Pell grant is specifically prorated based on enrollment. If attendance cannot be confirmed in one or more courses for which you are receiving Pell, your Pell grant must be reduced accordingly.