Understand your aid offer and manage your financial aid throughout all stages and circumstances of your D.D.S program. You can contact Michelle Robski, assistant director of financial aid with any questions.

  • Step 1: Visit Wolverine Access. As a University of Michigan student, your student portal in Wolverine Access will be an important resource to conduct university business. Visit Wolverine Access to review any additional documents or tasks required by the Office of Financial Aid
  • Step 2: Review your responsibilities and Award Certification information. If you are receiving financial aid, it is important that you understand your eligibility and responsibilities. You are expected to review the Award Certification information. Please read it carefully and if you have questions please contact our office.
  • Step 3: Read the Dental Required Reading for D.D.S Students.
  • Step 4: Learn more about Managing Your Aid.
  • Step 5: Review Consumer Information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to do to accept my financial aid offer?

For most aid, no official acceptance of the offer is required. U-M assumes you are accepting all aid offered unless you decline or reduce it. If you are a first-time borrower, you will need to complete additional steps. Learn more about loan next steps.

How do I decline or reduce aid?

We assume you are accepting all aid offered unless you decline or reduce an offer. Use the accept/decline aid button in Wolverine Access to make changes to your offered aid. If you are a previous Direct Loan recipient and have previously completed the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling, loan funds will be paid as offered unless you decline them.    

I am a student parent. Does U-M offer any assistance with child care costs?

The U-M Child Care Subsidy is available to help eligible students with the cost of State of Michigan licensed child care of their young, dependent children. Learn more about the child care subsidy.

I’ve never borrowed a loan. What do I need to do next?

If you intend to borrow the loan funds offered, and this is your first time borrowing a Direct Loan at U-M, you must complete online Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Learn more about loan next steps. 

I was awarded a scholarship from outside U-M. Do I need to report it to the Office of Financial Aid?

Yes, you must report any additional scholarships, assistantships, or prepaid tuition plans that you are receiving that are not listed on the aid notice. Report this information in Wolverine Access. Learn more about reporting scholarships.

How do I get my aid?

Financial aid is paid to your U-M student bill just before classes begin each term. Financial aid is applied to charges on your student account, and you will receive a refund of remaining funds by the first day of classes, so you will have money to purchase books and pay living expenses. You may have your refund directly deposited into your bank account. (Visit Wolverine Access and select direct deposit.) Otherwise, a check will be sent to your local address on record with the university. If no local address is recorded, the check will be sent to your permanent address. Always update your address information on Wolverine Access.

Do I have any other borrowing options?

If you are not eligible for Direct Loans or need additional resources to cover college costs, you may want to apply separately for a supplemental loan through the federal government or a private lender. Explore more loan opportunities.

Does U-M offer a payment plan?

Yes. The U-M Student Financial Services office provides an optional U-M payment plan which allows families/students to spread payment of anticipated directly billed educational expenses for fall or winter term over five payments. Full details including eligibility and how to enroll in the plan are available on their website.

Can I appeal for more financial aid?

We understand that some students experience unique circumstances that affect the ability to pay college costs. Compared to what is available for undergraduates, graduate and professional degree students have limited aid options. If your financial circumstances change, you can explore your aid appeal options. An appeal through our office would explore additional Work-Study and borrowing eligibility. We also encourage you to speak with your program about potential assistance.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

In order to receive financial aid, a student must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards a degree. If you fall behind in your coursework, fail to achieve minimum standards for a grade point average, or fail to complete classes in a maximum time frame, you may lose eligibility for all types of federal, university, and state aid administered by our office. Learn more about Satisfactory Academic Progress.

The Cost of Borrowing

Some borrowing may be necessary and will help you pay for college, but loans must be repaid and will only defer payment of educational expenses. Financially savvy students will explore all other funding options before borrowing and only borrow what is necessary to meet their needs. Learn more about borrowing and budgeting for college with our planning tools and calculators.