Financial Aid Made Simple: What You Need to Know
| Update: April 15th, 2025
Starting your career training at UEI College is an exciting step toward your future. But we know that figuring out how to pay for your education can feel overwhelming. Read on to learn more about what you need to know to get funding for your education.
Do I Qualify for Financial Aid?
The short answer is, most students do qualify. It is important to work closely with your financial aid advisor though as some students may not be eligible for aid. To meet some of the basic requirements to be eligible for financial aid, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Eligibility and determination of financial aid is determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Am I Considered Dependent or Independent? Help!
As you work through the FAFSA, you may find yourself wondering if you are considered an independent or dependent student. The biggest difference between the two is whether you will need to provide your parent’s information on the application. (Dependent students ARE required to provide their parent’s information.)
Look at the questions below. If you answer yes to any of them, you ARE considered independent.
- Will you be 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the school year for which you are applying for aid?
- As of today, are you married?
- At the beginning of the applicable school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
- Do you have children or other people who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you during the applicable period?
- At any time since you turned 13, were you an orphan?
- At any time since you turned 13, were you a ward of the court?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were you in foster care?
- Are you or were you legally emancipated minor, as determined by a court in your state of residence?
- Are you or were you in legal guardianship with someone other than your parent or stepparent, as determined by a court in your state of residence?
- At any time on or after July 1st (applicable year), were you unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
How to Apply for Financial Aid at UEI
- Visit the FAFSA website and submit your FAFSA. This application determines your financial aid eligibility.
- Create a StudentAid.gov Account
- List Colleges and/ or Career Schools
- Personal references with a valid address and phone number.
Once received, UEI’s student finance team will start working with you. Keep an eye on deadlines and submit any additional documents requested by the financial aid office.
Key Considerations
When applying for financial aid, keep these points in mind:
- Need-based aid considers your financial situation and may include grants, work-study, and subsidized loans.
- Merit-based aid includes scholarships and programs awarded based on academic achievements or special talents.
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After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repayment on your Federal Student Loans.
By completing your FAFSA accurately and on time, your financial aid advisor will use the information to determine how much student aid you are eligible to receive.
UEI College Financial Advisors Are Here to Help
Sifting through the different financial aid options can be difficult and time consuming. The UEI College financial aid team is here to assist you and explore your options with you. There are many ways to ensure you can afford your college experience.
To schedule an appointment with one of our financial aid advisors, do not hesitate to reach out to us! Once you have an appointment, bring the following documents with you:
- Transcripts from other schools
- Your high school diploma or GED
- Your U.S. passport or permanent resident card
- Your social security card
- Your tax returns or tax return transcripts (your parent’s tax transcripts if you are classified as dependent)
Get started by finding out which program at UEI College is right for you
Make the most of your available options. UEI’s team is here to guide you through the process and help make career training more affordable.
