Information for Admitted Students
The information presented on this page describes first steps and a general overview of financial aid, billing, and financial literacy for newly admitted students.
UC Student Finances: Financial Aid, Billing, and More
Who/What is One Stop?
We are your one stop for helping you manage the business of being a student. We provide information and answers to your questions related to financial aid, billing, registration, and student records. Students can find contact information and hours of operation at the One Stop Center homepage.
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships
Typically merit-based funds, not repaid
Institutional and Outside Organizations
Notify the Student Financial Aid Office of outside scholarships via email: cincinnatus@uc.edu
Scholarships can impact your financial aid award, so inform the Financial Aid Office if you are receiving these as soon as possible.
Grants
Need-based funds, not repaid
Federal Work Study
Need-based funds, not repaid
Earned aid through employment
Pays to the student via paycheck, not credited/posted to the bill
Loans
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans
Student-borrowed loans that must be repaid (usually after graduation)
Parent PLUS Loans: parent-borrowed, credit-based loans that must be repaid during school or after graduation
Pay attention to interest rates and fees
Financial Aid Application Process
UC admission application is used for institutional scholarship determinations.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used for federal, state, and institutional aid:
Federal Pell Grant
Federal SEOG – Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal Work-Study
Federal Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan
Federal Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS loan
Institutional need-based grant assistance
The FAFSA becomes available each October 1. For maximum consideration, apply by December 1 at studentaid.gov. The 2020-21 FAFSA is still available for families to complete. You may complete the 2021-22 FAFSA beginning October 1, 2020.
Your Financial Aid
You should have a financial aid award offer if you applied for financial aid by completing your 2020-21 FAFSA.
Aid offered via emails sent to students
Accept loans within Catalyst via the "My Finances" tile
You can find additional information on your financial aid award
Verification
You may be asked to submit additional documentation to the Student Financial Aid Office via the Financial Aid Portal
Financial Aid Portal
Check your Tasks tile in Catalyst for your To Do List
Outstanding items will prevent your accepted financial aid from disbursing to your student bill, so complete requirements as early as possible
The Financial Aid Portal will walk you through the required steps to verify your FAFSA data, allow for e-signatures on some items, and give you an opportunity to upload requested documents.
Creating Your Student Account
The financial aid portal requires students to create an account initially when logging in. It will then tie together your student login credentials at UC with your FAFSA data for each aid year you apply for aid.
Special Circumstance Appeals
The 2020-2021 FAFSA uses 2018 tax year information.
Significant changes (particularly based on COVID-19) may allow for review by the Student Financial Aid Office but may not change aid eligibility.
Evaluation of special circumstance can occur once there is a fuller picture of family income for 2020.
The 2020-2021 Special Circumstance Appeal form is available now. Please submit completed form via email to: financeaid@uc.edu.
Monitor UC email and Catalyst portal for requests for additional information/documentation. Any additional items requested will be uploaded to the Financial Aid portal.
Cincinnati Tuition Guarantee
Tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board charges will not change for four calendar years (Fall 2020 through Summer 2024)
Automatic extension for students in co-op programs
Tuition Guarantee ensures transparency and ability to plan financially for the next four years
More information can be found on the Bursar's Office website
Residency for Tuition Purposes
A student's residency status factors into how much he or she is billed for tuition each semester.
IN or KY Reciprocity= OH Tuition
IN or KY Metro Rate= OH Tuition + $300 per full-time semester*
Out of state= OH Tuition + non-resident surcharge
You can check your residency status by viewing your Award Letter or Acceptance Letter
Questions? Email resid@uc.edu
*Based on 2019-20 academic year rates
UC Billing Process
Bills are available in Catalyst 6 weeks prior to semester start
Bills are always due 5 days before the semester start
Fall Semester bills are due August 19, 2020
Check your bill often
Waive student health insurance coverage, if applicable
Calculate Estimated Remaining Costs
Remember to estimate remaining costs to help determine what you may need other than the financial aid you have access to via your financial aid award offer. Will you use a Parent PLUS Loan? A parent or student private loan? The UC Payment Plan? Your own funds/savings?
Estimated Remaining Costs Worksheet | |
Tuition & Fees | $ |
Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | + $ |
Program Fee (if applicable) | + $ |
Estimated Campus Housing Cost (if applicable) | + $ |
Step 1: Total Billed Costs | = $ |
Step 2: Subtract financial aid and other financial resources (Include: scholarships, 529 Plans, tuition remission, grants, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, other assistance) |
- $ |
Step 3: Estimated Remaining Costs (Consider: Federal Parent PLUS Loan, parent or student private loan, UC Tuition Payment Plan, personal payment) |
= $ |
UC Bill Payment Options
Online Bill Payments
Online payments can be made using a credit card or e-check
2.75% service fee on credit card payments
In-Person Bill Payments
In-person payments can be made with check or money order to the drop box on 2nd floor of University Pavilion
This includes scholarship checks
Bill Payments by Mail
Bill Payments can be made by mail to this address:
University of Cincinnati
PO Box 932605
Cleveland, OH 44193Include your Student ID number (M#) on paper payments
If you plan to pay with your 529/College Savings Plan, check with your bank
Tuition Payment Plan
Bill payments can be made using the Tuition Payment Plan
$35 enrollment fee (each semester)
Students enroll in Catalyst, divides bill into 3 payments
Financial Aid Refunds
Refunds are excess financial aid funds to be used for other educational expenses such as books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and other related education expenses.
Refunds begin processing 10 days before the semester starts if your financial aid status is complete.
Direct Deposit is required for refunds. Complete the process via Catalyst prior to the start of the semester.
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy is the knowledge needed to make financially responsible decisions. Financial literacy is important because:
The burden of how you’ll cover the cost of your college experience, while avoiding mountains of debt, can be a lot to handle.
As you start your college journey, remember this while you make financial decisions.
Know that you are not alone and there are so many resources available at UC.
We want you to graduate with the least amount of debt possible.
Financial Literacy Tips and Resources
Work your way through College
Benefits to Working through College
Less Student Loan Debt
Valuable Job Experience
Time Management Skills- learn how to organize your time and use it more effectively. This includes study time!
Improved Grades- students that work part-time generally have better grades than those that do not work at all.
Federal Work Study
Federal work-study employment opportunities are available online close to beginning of school year
There are on and off-campus federal work-study job opportunities
You can apply online and are hired like any employment position
Note: other student jobs, that are not federal work-study, exist on campus
There are many employment opportunities in and around the campus
15 to Finish
Taking 15 credit hours each semester will help ensure you graduate in 4 years and save money. Check with your academic advisor.
Create a Budget, Spend Wisely and Get in the Habit of Saving
Budgeting doesn’t mean you have to miss out on doing fun things. It just means that you should make a spending plan.
Manage your Credit Cards and Monitor your Credit
Be aware of interest rates, financial advantages of a good credit score and protect your credit.
Protect your Identity
Avoid storing passwords online, avoid sharing your SSN and keep good records.
Apply for Outside Scholarships and let us know when you receive them
Treat applying for scholarships like a part-time job
Remember to notify the Student Financial Aid Office of outside scholarships via email: cincinnatus@uc.edu
Scholarships can impact your financial aid award so the earlier the Student Financial Aid Office can make necessary adjustments, the better!
We make Financial Literacy fun
Our Money Management Task Force looks forward to seeing you on campus this fall!
Next Steps
Review the New Student Checklist and Parent Checklist for next steps.