Required Reading

Important Information from the Office of Financial Aid

Newly admitted students receive only one paper Financial Aid Offer letter. If there are any changes to your financial aid, we will send an email to your EMU email address. The email will inform you that there has been a change and direct you to check your My.Emich account.

For detailed instructions on how to accept, reduce, or decline your aid offers, and to check for any outstanding requirements, please see the Understanding Your Financial Aid brochure [PDF].

Verification

Your FAFSA may be selected for review in order to check the accuracy of the information you reported. This process is called “Verification.” We will send you a letter if additional documents are needed. Send all requested documents promptly. Your financial aid may change as a result of the review. In addition to letter and email notification, your My.Emich record will also show whether additional documents are needed and whether they have been received. See “Outstanding Requirements” below for more information. Financial aid will not pay to your account until verification is complete.

Outstanding Requirements

Required documents will be listed on your My.Emich account. Login to your My.Emich account to view and complete your outstanding requirements:

  • Locate the “Financial Aid and Bill Payment” card
  • Click the Financial Aid link
  • Select the correct aid year in the top right drop down menu
  • View Student Requirements
  • Submit Unsatisfied Requirements

It is important to submit your documents by June 15 to prevent any delay in the payment of your fall semester aid.

Estimating your Bill

To plan for your 2024–2025 expenses, use these online resources to estimate tuition/fees and housing charges, as well as to estimate your out-of-pocket costs or need to borrow through a federal loan program:

Compare your estimated charges to the financial aid you plan to accept to determine if your bill will be fully paid with financial aid. Remember that Parent PLUS Loans are not guaranteed. Your parent must apply and pass a credit check through the U.S. Department of Education.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Students are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 EMU GPA and to earn passing grades in at least 67% of all the credit hours they take. Unearned grades such as F, W, I (Incomplete), NC (no credit) are not passing grades. Failure to meet the GPA or credit hour completion requirements will result in the loss of financial aid eligibility.

Scholarships

If you were offered an EMU scholarship at the time of admission, review the terms and conditions to receive and renew your scholarship. These can be found in your admission materials or on the Scholarships page. If you have been awarded the Eastern Tuition Advantage (ETA), this award replaces the Emerald Scholarship that you were previously offered.

How aid is paid to students (Disbursement)

Grants, scholarships, and loans are paid directly to your EMU bill to pay tuition, fees, housing, and other university charges. Work-study is student employment and students may earn wages up to the amount awarded. The wages will not appear on your university eBill, as you will receive bi-weekly electronic payment to your Eagle OneCard or your personal bank account.

If the total amount of scholarships, grants, and loans paid is greater than the bill (“Direct” costs) you will receive a refund for the excess aid. The refund will be deposited on your Eagle OneCard or to your personal bank account. See the Student Billing Services website for information. If your total aid does not exceed your bill, you will not have a refund and must make arrangements to pay your balance. All students should arrive on campus with enough money to purchase books and supplies.

Enrollment Levels

Be sure you are aware of the required minimum enrollment levels to receive aid. Your aid offers are based on assumed full-time enrollment. If you enroll less than full-time, some awards will prorate and some will be canceled. The following are undergraduate enrollment levels:

  • 12 credit hours = full time
  • 9–11 credit hours = 3/4 time (75%)
  • 6–8 credit hours = 1/2 time (50%)
  • 1–5 credit hours = less than 1/2 time (25%)

Minimum Enrollment Requirements

  • Federal Pell Grant – allows less than half time enrollment in some cases and will prorate proportionally if enrolled less than full time
  • Federal SEOG – requires at least half time enrollment
  • Federal Direct Loans – requires at least half time enrollment
  • Federal Parent PLUS Loan – requires at least half time enrollment
  • Michigan Achievement Scholarship – requires full time enrollment
  • Emerald Scholarship – requires full time enrollment
  • Eastern Tuition Advantage (ETA) – requires 15 credits per term
  • University Grant – requires full time enrollment
  • Athletic Grant-In-Aid – requires full time enrollment

There are other types of awards that may not be listed above. If you receive an award and are unsure of the enrollment requirement, visit our website, call the office, or email us. 

Financial Aid Advising Locations

Service EMU staff can assist you with financial aid, student business services (billing), and records and registration inquiries. Come visit us in 268 Student Center.

Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Phone: 734.487.1048| Fax: 734.487.4281

Email Addresses

Please allow 2–3 business days for replies.

Mailing Address Only

Eastern Michigan University
Office of Financial Aid
403 Pierce Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

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