Apply for Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid Eligibility Criteria

  • Have a U.S. high school diploma or GED.
  • Be accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program.
  • Have a valid Social Security Number unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau. In addition you must:
    • Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National OR
    • Have a Green Card OR
    • Have an Arrival-Departure record OR
    • Have Battered Immigrant Status OR
    • Have a T-Visa
  • Sign a certifying statements on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form stating that
    • You’re not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant and
    • You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Students with criminal convictions have limited eligibility for federal student aid.
  • Demonstrate Federal financial need (except for the Federal TEACH grant, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans)
  • Students must not have exceeded federal aggregate limits for direct loans.
  • Be creditworthy, if applying for the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan or the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan

Applying for Aid

Visit our Funding Opportunities page to understand the different types of aid that are available and your repayment responsibilities.

  • To apply for state/federal financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and federal work-study funds, all eligible students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually by Miami’s priority deadline using Miami’s Federal School Code, 003077. Please visit FAFSA Tips for helpful information on filing the FAFSA.
  • Visit our Outside Scholarships page for information on using free online scholarship searches and researching scholarships available in your local area. Some outside scholarships are awarded by high schools, clubs, or community groups.
  • Winter and Summer Term financial aid is based on any remaining financial aid eligibility from the current academic year. To receive financial aid for study abroad, students must be enrolled full-time for a fall or spring semester study abroad program. 
  • Parents of dependent students can apply for Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans at StudentAid.gov. After completing the application, a Master Promissory Note will also need to be completed at StudentAid.gov.

Graduate Students

Full-time teachers may be eligible for the Ohio Teacher Education Access at Miami (TEAM) Scholarship or the TEACH Grant. Please visit our Scholarships and Grants for Graduate Students page for more information.

Graduate students can apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at StudentAid.gov. After completing the application, a Master Promissory Note will also need to be completed at StudentAid.gov.

Miami’s Graduate School provides numerous assistantships, associateships, scholarships, and grants-in-aid. Because these awards vary with each area of study, check with your program for specific information regarding deadlines and requirements.

International Students

Most foreign citizens are not eligible for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education.There are, however, some instances in which non-citizens may be eligible for financial aid from the U.S. federal government. Visit StudentAid.gov for additional eligibility information. If you are an eligible noncitizen, you must enter your eight or nine digit Alien Registration Number (ARN) when completing the FAFSA.

To qualify for federal student aid, certain eligible non-citizens must be able to provide evidence from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that they are in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Documents that establish aid eligibility for non-citizens must be properly endorsed and unexpired. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will notify you how to submit the required documentation.

Prospective and current international students may obtain helpful, detailed information by contacting the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

Private Loans

Some private loans are available to international students. If you do not meet credit, income, or employment guidelines, you will need an eligible creditworthy cosigner (typically a U.S. citizen or permanent resident).

The yearly amount borrowed cannot exceed your annual cost of attendance minus other financial aid resources. The loan amount is for the entire year and will be disbursed in two equal amounts—one-half for fall semester and one-half for spring semester—unless otherwise designated. Miami will accept private loans from any private lender.

Visit the Financial Offer page for more information about when and how you can view your offer.