Information for Incoming Freshmen
Congratulations on your decision to achieve great things at Detroit Mercy!
Here are step-by-step instructions to receive your customized financial aid package. And of course if you have questions at any time, feel free to contact the Scholarship and Financial Aid Office at 313-993-3350. It’s our job to make this process work for you.
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1. Fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
First things first! Freshmen and their parents should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This can be done online, and the sooner you do this after October 1, the better. We’re happy to walk you and your parents through it.
Federal Student Aid Identification Number (FSAid)
Before beginning the FAFSA, you should apply for a U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid personal identification number (FSAid). The FSAid will allow you to sign your FAFSA electronically and to correct your processed FAFSA information online. Because you are providing parent information on the FAFSA, one of your parents must also sign your application. To sign electronically, your parent must also apply for his or her own FSAid. Each FSAid applicant will need to provide personal information such as social security number and date of birth.
When applying for your FSAid, we recommend that you make it something easy to remember. Please don't share your FSAid with anyone.
If a student completes the FAFSA online without the appropriate FSAid(s), the application will not be processed unless the student submits the signature page with the appropriate signature(s) via mail.
FAFSA
The United States Department of Education manages the FAFSA process. It is their request that the FAFSA be completed on the web at studentaid.gov, which only takes five (5) days to process. If you prefer to complete a paper application, you can call 1-800-433-3243. However, please keep in mind that the paper application takes six (6) weeks to be processed and may cause the student to be ineligible for some time-sensitive state aid.
First School Choice: 002323 (Detroit Mercy School Code)
After you have completed the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) via email from the United States Department of Education with instructions on how to view it. If you did not provide an email address, you will receive a SAR in the mail.
We strongly recommend that all students complete the FAFSA. Although they may not qualify for federal grants, they may qualify for state grants.
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2. Net Price Calculator
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3. Learn about Michigan resident-exclusive grants and scholarships
Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG)/Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS)
University of Detroit Mercy is an independent university and therefore Michigan residents who attend Detroit Mercy may be eligible to receive a grant from the State of Michigan called Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) or Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS). Students are only eligible for one of these, not both. To apply for one of these grants, the student and parent(s) must be Michigan residents, the student must complete the FAFSA by March 1st each year and the student must list Detroit Mercy school code 002323 as the first school choice on the FAFSA. Students demonstrating financial need may be awarded grants up to $2,800 for the 2021-2022 academic year during undergraduate study.
The FAFSA must be received by the federal processor by May 1 preceding the academic year. This was a one time extension granted by the Federal Government. The traditional deadline most years is March 1 preceding the academic year.
The Michigan Tuition Grant is available annually to students who meet these requirements: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status, Michigan residency, continuous residence in the State of Michigan for at least one full calendar year (beginning July 1 of the year prior to the year of application), demonstrated financial need, and satisfactory academic progress. Students may receive funds from only one of these programs each year.
The Financial Aid office will determine if the student appears to qualify for MTG/MCS. If MTG/MCS appears on your award letter, please keep in mind that this award is an estimate based on the current year projected State of Michigan award funding levels. This award level is contingent on the Legislature continuing the funding for these programs in the State's Budget.
Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG)/Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS) applies to undergraduate students only.
MTG and MCS Requirements Program Name Location Basis Requirements Notification MTG/MCS On Detroit Mercy award
(eligibility is estimated)Need based Michigan resident & FAFSA driven Estimated Award from Detroit Mercy; Official notice from State of Michigan -
4. Grants, Scholarships and Sources of Financial Aid
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5. Access your Financial Aid and understand the terminology
Overview
The Financial Aid My Portal award contains a list of the financial aid sources that you qualify for based on the information submitted on the FAFSA. This aid is outlined to demonstrate how students may qualify to cover the cost of a Detroit Mercy education. Access your Financial Aid Award in My Portal.
Scholarships & Grants - these funds are free and do not have to be paid back.
Loans - these funds must be paid back.
Federal Work-study - these funds are linked to a work program. Students who qualify, may work on campus, or at select off campus locations in between classes and earn work-study funds. The earnings are not automatically applied toward the student's outstanding charges. However, students can work to earn these funds and apply them toward their bill and may elect to have a payroll deduction directly to their account.
Definitions
Cost of Attendance - not necessarily the amount you will have to pay to attend Detroit Mercy, but an estimate of possible expenses. Actual costs will vary by student.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)- calculated from the information reported on the FAFSA. This does not reflect the amount you will have to pay out of pocket. The EFC will be used along with the cost of attendance to determine how much "need based" aid you will qualify for.
Initial Need - Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution equal the Initial Need.
Outside Resources - funds received from outside sources to help pay educational expenses. These are funds not processed by financial aid, but payments negotiated through the Student Accounting Office. Typically, these represent payments from employers, tuition payment plans, etc.
Need - Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution, minus Outside Resources equal Need.
Status - the student classification that this aid level applies to
Fall - September through December aid to help pay Fall costs
Winter - January through April aid to help pay Winter costs
Summer - May through August aid to help pay Summer costs
Total - total amount of aid to help pay Fall, Winter and/or Summer costs
First Five (5) Steps
Our transfer award packages are very generous and they are customized to fit each student's financial situation. Below you will find the first five (5) steps to paying for your Detroit Mercy education.
- Review the Cost of Attendance and determine your cost for the year. Please plan ahead for books and supplies. Detroit Mercy does not issue book vouchers.
- Review your My Portal financial aid award which is accessible from your My Portal account. It outlines the financial aid funds that you qualify for, based on the FAFSA. These funds are to help you pay your cost.
- Review the Detroit Mercy Financing Options which summarizes the different loan programs found on the My Portal financial aid award. It also summarizes our 10 month interest-free payment plan option.
- Determine if you have any out of pocket cost.
- Now that you have determined the financial aid sources that you would like to use, please select "accept" or "decline" button for each source listed on your My Portal Award Screen. You also have the opportunity to select an amount less than the total offered.
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6. What Happens Next
Now that you have received your award, further steps may be required. These steps may or may not apply to you and your family. These steps are only required if the student is planning to borrow their Direct Stafford loan(s) and/or the parent is planning to borrow the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) for the academic year.
Federal Direct Student Loans
Once you have accepted a Direct student loan, you must complete the following two (2) loan requirements before the loan funds will post to your account. Please note that loans do not disburse towards your balance until ten das before the start of a semester.
- After July 1, the student should complete online Entrance Counseling.
- After July 1, we will process your loan request. You will be required to complete an online Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Parent Loans Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loans)
If a parent chooses to accept the Parent PLUS loan, one parent must complete the following two (2) loan requirements before the loan funds will post to your account.
- After July 1, the parent should complete online Request A Direct Plus Loan.
- After July 1, we will process your parent PLUS loan request. You will be required to complete an on line Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Related Links
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7. Freshmen Orientation
The Financial Aid Office is available to meet with parents of freshmen students individually at freshmen orientation to personally answer financial aid questions and to review cost with families.
Please be sure to sign up to attend Freshmen orientation if you have not already done so. To schedule your reservation, please contact the Admissions Office today at 800-635-5020 or 313-993-1245.