YOUR FINANCIAL AID OFFER IS READY
Log in now to see your offer. If you haven't activated your Global ID, you'll need to do that first (see below for instructions).
Your financial aid offer explained
We get it. There’s a lot of numbers and financial lingo. What’s a subsidized versus unsubsidized loan? Who does a FAFSA verification? Is work-study a job? Find the information you need here.
Activate your Global ID
First things first: if you haven’t set up your Global ID, you’ll need to do that. Find your admission letter and find the PIN at the bottom right corner. Then click the button below to go to the site to activate your account.
Can't find your PIN?
Contact the Help Desk at 989-774-3662 or by emailing helpdesk@cmich.edu.
Next steps
- Check your financial aid portal. For up-to-date information, check your financial aid portal. This is where you can complete missing information, review any official notifications and take action on the aid you are offered. You use your cmich account’s Global ID and password to access your financial aid portal.
- Understand your offered loans. Due to filing your FAFSA you may have been offered federal loans. It is your responsibility to understand the terms and conditions of these loans. You must either accept/decline/reduce your offered student loans as well as complete entrance counseling and/or master promissory note. More information can be found at this link or by contacting us directly.
- FERPA release. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, our office must receive permission from you to speak with an individual regarding your financial aid via the FERPA release form. Fill out your FERPA release form that is found within your financial aid portal under the drop-down selection in the documents area. You can contact our office any time to change your release.
- Consumer Information. You are responsible for reviewing your financial aid rights and responsibilities as outlined on the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website. Our website also provides information about federal, state and CMU resources.
Financial aid terms and their meanings
FAQs
Will my CMU scholarship be renewed each year?
It’s important to understand the criteria behind your scholarship and if it is renewable. To review the renewal procedures for specific competitive and merit-based scholarships, check out this page: Scholarships for Continuing Students | Scholarships and Financial Aid | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu)
Selected for verification. What does that mean?
Some students will be notified by the Federal Processing Service (FPS) that their FAFSA applications have been selected for a review process called verification. Check your financial aid portal for further information on requested materials. To find out more about the verification process, click here Verification | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu)
Do I have to file the FAFSA every year?
Yes! The FAFSA opens each year on October 1, and you will need to file the FAFSA each year to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid. Applying for Financial Aid | Scholarships and Financial Aid | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu)
What if I add or drop credits?
Your estimated offered aid package is based on full-time enrollment. Any enrollment below full-time may reduce your aid eligibility. In your estimated offered aid package, we base the CMU grant on 15 credits in the fall and 15 credits in the spring. If you take anything different, your aid eligibility may change for this aid program.*
Where can I get help?
We can help! Reach out to our office by phone (989-774-3674), email (financialaid@cmich.edu), or by appointment (links can be found here: Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu))
Additional financial resources
Work-Study and campus jobs
Work-Study is an on-campus job awarded to you. You must apply for one through your FAFSA and be granted a Federal Work-Study award on your financial aid offer letter. Other on-campus jobs are available to all students enrolled at least 1/2 time and all international students enrolled full-time.
We hire more than 3,000 students each year on campus and offer flexible schedules to fit around your classes.
Payment plans
We offer an interest-free payment plan with options that work with your schedule. The sooner you enroll in the plan, the more options you have on repayment. You’ll choose from 2 to 5 payments per semester than can be automatically paid by your preferred payment method. There is a $50 enrollment fee. Check out the plans and find one that fits your needs.
Scholarship Universe
There are a wide variety of donor-funded CMU scholarships and even more scholarships available from sources outside CMU. Scholarship Universe is a scholarship matching tool. You answer a few questions about yourself and what you want to study. Then Scholarship Universe matches you to any scholarships that you have the qualifications to apply for. It’s well worth your time to check this out.
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
The PLUS loan program is federal non-need based loans for parents with good credit histories who want to borrow money for their dependent students’ education. You have repayment options, and the interest rate is often lower than a private loan.
Private loans
Most financial aid packages will include student loans offered by the federal government, but that may not cover your total cost. Private student loans are an option to help you bridge that gap.
Disclaimers:
Your award offer is ESTIMATED based on the information provided on your FAFSA, as well as scholarships and resources that have been reported to us. As rates are set, you report any additional scholarships and/or other aid, or if you are selected for FAFSA verification, we'll send update notifications to your cmich.edu email account.
*Grants (Pell and CMU) are based on financial need and full-time enrollment status (at least 12 credits per semester). Your grant amount may be reduced if you are enrolled less than full-time. State aid is subject to change. Eligibility for state aid programs is estimated until verified and certified with the state, which will not happen until after enrollment is confirmed (post census date).
Early active participation in your course(s) is important for academic success as well as for financial aid eligibility purposes. Participation is defined as active engagement in the instructional activity related to the course of study. Click here for examples of participation. If you do not begin participation in your course(s) by the 2nd Friday of the term/module that your course falls into (this date will differ depending on your course start date), you will be administratively dropped from that course and your financial aid will be re-evaluated which may have an impact on your eligibility.