Timelines for applying for financial aid are listed here with links for more information about each step in the application process.

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Entering Students

For prospective students entering U-M for fall term, the financial aid application process begins the school year before enrollment. See New Undergraduates for more detailed information about applying for aid.

September-June:

  • Apply for scholarships from private sources such as banks and churches, local companies and organizations, and special interest organizations. See Private Scholarships for more information including a list of free scholarship search engines.

October-February:

  • Oct. 1 - CSS Profile is available. Submit a CSS Profile to apply for need-based U-M grants and scholarships. Use U-M CSS Code 1839.
  • Apply for a federal FSA ID number by visiting the Federal Student Aid website.
  • December - FAFSA is available. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to apply for federal and state grants, scholarships, Work-Study, and loans. Use U-M Federal School Code 002325. 
  • Dec. 15 - Suggested Filing Date. Applicants who file their financial aid application by the Suggested Filing Date of December 15, and are admitted, will receive a preliminary financial aid package sooner.

January-April:

  • March 31 - Final Application Deadline. You must submit your FAFSA records from the federal processor to U-M by March 31 to be considered for federal financial aid programs. If you are applying for institutional grants, we must also have your CSS Profile by this date. We recommend that you complete these applications by March 1 to ensure that we receive them by deadline.
  • If we have requested additional documents from you, please submit them within 15 days of the request date.
  • The U-M Office of Financial Aid begins notifying entering students by email when U-M financial aid notices are available on Wolverine Access. You will need a U-M uniqname or Friend Account to access your financial aid notices online.

May-July:

  • Complete loan promissory notes (if applicable). You will receive emails with directions.
  • May 1 - Enrollment Deposit Deadline. If you plan to attend U-M, you must pay your enrollment deposit by May 1.

August-September:

  • Students receive their bills for fall term.
  • Students receive their financial aid for fall term.
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Continuing Students

Continuing students should begin planning for next year in the fall of the current academic year.

September-June:

  • Apply for scholarships from private sources such as banks and churches, local companies and organizations, and special interest organizations. See the Private Scholarships listing on our scholarships page for more information including a list of free scholarship search engines.

October-March:

To apply for aid for the next academic year (fall and winter terms):

  • December - FAFSA is available. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after it becomes available in December. See Current Undergraduates under "How to Apply for Aid" for information about reapplying for aid.
  • Check Wolverine Access to see if you need to submit additional application documents. If we have requested additional documents from you, please submit them within 15 days of the request date.

To apply for aid for spring and/or summer terms of this year:

March:

May-July:

  • May 1 - Financial aid deadline for continuing students. You must submit your processed FAFSA from the federal processor by May 1 in order to consider you for all aid programs (allow three to four weeks for processing). 
  • Financial aid notification begins in the summer, once all application information is received in our office.
  • Complete loan promissory notes (if applicable). You will receive emails with directions.

August-September:

  • Students receive their bills for fall term.
  • Students receive their financial aid for fall term.