How To Apply For Graduate and Adult Studies Financial Assistance at Union University

  1. Complete and return the appropriate application listed below.
    1. New Adult Studies Students: Adult Studies Application for Financial Assistance
    2. New Graduate Students: Graduate Application for Financial Assistance

  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    • To apply for Federal and State Grants, Federal Stafford and/or Parent PLUS loans:
    1. Go to www.pin.ed.gov to obtain your PIN with the US Dept. of Education. The PIN serves as your signature for the FAFSA.
    2. Go to www.fafsa.gov to complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA using your PIN.
    3. Enter Union's Title IV School Code, 003528, in order for Union to recieve your electronic student aid report.

    Tennessee residents are encouraged to file the FAFSA by February 15 each year to be eligible to receive the maximum Tennessee aid and/or HOPE Scholarship you may qualify for. If tax returns are not completed by February 15, you may use estimated tax figures. The FAFSA can be updated when your tax return is complete.

  3. Reply to your Award Letter

    1. Accept, decline or reduce awards.
    2. Sign and return your Award Acceptance Form to the Office of Student Financial Planning.
    3. Please note: You may receive additional letters if awards are added or modified.
    4. If you will be receiving aid from outside sources, you must complete the Documentation of Outside Assistance

  4. Consider applying for a Federal Stafford Loan (Student Loan).

    5. PRIORITY DEADLINE is July 15 for Fall and January 15 for Spring.

    To apply for a Stafford Loan:

    1. First-time Stafford Loan Borrower at Union
      1. Return Award Acceptance Form
        1. Accept, Decline or Reduce Loan Amount
        2. List Lender Name
      2. Go to Union's Online Lender List
        1. Select Lender, Click "Apply Now"
        2. E-Sign Stafford Master Promissory Note
        3. Complete Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling
    2. Returning Stafford Loan Borrower at Union
      1. Return Award Acceptance Form
        1. Accept, Decline or Modify Loan Amount
        2. List Lender Name

    *Note: If you have forgotten the name of your lender, access your complete loan history at National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). NSLDS requires your US Dept. of Education (FAFSA) PIN number for login.

  5. Consider applying for a Graduate PLUS Loan.

    6. To apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan:

    1. First-time Graduate PLUS Loan Borrower at Union
      1. Go to Union's Online Lender List
        1. Select Lender, Click "Apply Now"
        2. Sign Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note
        3. Obtain Graduate PLUS pre-approval
        4. Complete Grad PLUS entrance Counseling
    2. Returning Graduate PLUS Loan Borrower at Union
      1. Obtain PLUS Pre-Approval from previous lender
      2. Complete Grad PLUS entrance Counseling

  6. Consider applying for an Alternative Loan.

    1. Use Union’s Alternative Loan list to apply for a school certified loan directly with the lender. Loan amounts are determined based on Cost of Attendance (COA) minus any financial aid the student may receive during the loan period. Loan disbursements are made to Union University and will be divided equally among all terms certified. This school certified loan generally has better benefits than the non-school certified loan.
    2. Non-school certified loans (Paid directly to the student) are available with most lenders. For loan options, you may contact your lender of choice to apply or go to www.finaid.org/loans/privatestudentloans.phtml for more information.

  7. Receiving Your Loan Disbursement

    1. You will be sent an email via your Union email when the loan funds are received.
    2. The email will give you an anticipated credit refund date IF you have a credit balance.
    3. Jackson and Germantown students will pick up their checks at their perspective campuses on the date specified in the email. Refund checks for students on the Hendersonville, Selmer, Corinth and other campuses will be mailed to the address on file within 5 days of the credit refund date. Checks not picked up within 5 days of the credit refund date will also be mailed to the address on file.