Preliminary Award Notification
Here you’ll find important information in regards to your preliminary financial aid offer. Topics include award descriptions, rights and responsibilities, how to maintain your aid, annual cost of attendance figures, etc.
These award offers details the amounts and types of financial aid for which you appear to be eligible. All offers are based upon full-time attendance at UNC as an undergraduate.
We will begin posting official award notices in March. You will then have 20 days to review and accept your award or it may be canceled.
Step-by-Step Guide to Receiving your Financial Aid
1
Login to Ursa
For best results when using Ursa, your browser should be Internet Explorer 9 or 11, Firefox 38.6 or greater, and JavaScript enabled with the ability to accept cookies (standard browser defaults). Pop-up blockers and Personal Firewalls should be set to accept ursa.unco.edu and uncssb.unco.edu.
2
Review the Guide to Awards
Print and read our Know Before you Owe booklet for financial aid instructions and details on your awards offered at the University of Northern Colorado for your academic year.
You may need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader.
3
Review Student Budgets
Print and read about Estimated Student Budgets for your academic year and level.
4
Review Standards of Academic Progress
Please print and read the Standards of Academic Progress for your financial aid award offer.
5
Review Your Preliminary Award Letter
When notified, you can use Ursa to view your preliminary financial aid award.
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The preliminary award letter is an estimate of your awards, and is based on the information that you and your family have provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you received notification from the Office of Financial Aid, you can use Ursa to view your preliminary financial aid award by following these steps:
1. Log into your Ursa account at http://ursa.unco.edu
2. Click on the Financial tab to access your Financial Aid Award Letter and All Requirements
3. Under Financial Aid there is a link that says "View/Accept Award Offer” click on it
4. It will ask you to enter the school year and push submit. It will bring you to a screen with four tabs at the top.
5.If you haven’t already you will need to click on the 3rd tab over that says “Terms and Certification Conditions” and accept them.
IMPORTANT: You are ONLY accepting that you have read the terms and conditions and you accept them. YOU ARE NOT accepting any of your awards yet. That will happen when you receive your official award letter in March.
6. Once you have clicked “Accept” the 4th tab will light up that says “Accept Award Offer". This is where you will find exactly what you were offered.
You will be able to actually “accept” or “decline” the aid you wish to pursue starting in March.
You did it! You've reached your preliminary award letter
check
Good to go!
Nice work. You're all set for now.
Please check your Ursa often for further instructions on your official award letter
and\or any additional requirements.
Be sure to reach out to a financial aid counselor as soon as possible with any questions.
If you have difficulty accessing Ursa, please contact the Technical Support Center at 970-351-4357.
Awarding Aid
The Office of Financial Aid awards financial aid packages for eligible students that typically consist of a combination of scholarships, grants, work study and loan assistance. Award amounts from each program vary depending on the need and eligibility of the student. Those who apply by March 1 receive the highest priority according to eligibility and their need.
The financial aid packaging process ensures effective use of the funds available and ensures fair and equitable treatment of all aid applicants.
If you have a documented disability and believe it may impact your ability to take full-time coursework, you should notify the Office of Financial Aid prior to awarding. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and Disability Resource Center to determine if your disability documentation warrants a financial aid award that reflects less than full-time attendance. Contact Disability Resource Center by phone at 970-351-2289 or contact Disability and Support Services by e-mail for questions regarding eligibility for disability services.
