Darla Martinez
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is here to help you create a smart financial aid strategy from day one. Whether you’re exploring how to pay for your education, applying for scholarships, or navigating student loans, this is the place to begin.
Start early, ask questions, and take full advantage of everything available to you as a future technologist.
Understanding what kinds of aid are available is the first step to building your funding plan. UAT students have access to a wide variety of options to help cover tuition and related expenses.
Options that might be available to you:
Financial aid can feel complex, but getting answers to key questions early in the process can give you clarity and confidence. Below are some of the most common questions from students and families.
As early as possible. Many schools and states award aid on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. Aid isn’t based on income alone. You may still qualify for federal loans and other types of aid.
Yes. Federal aid eligibility does not carry over. File a new form annually.
Your submission will be processed by the Office of FAFSA and then UAT will be notified of your eligibility within 72 hours. Once notified, UAT will create a customized aid package and reach out to you with next steps.
Mistakes on your FAFSA can delay processing or reduce aid eligibility. These are some of the most common and avoidable errors students and families make.
A contributor is any parent or spouse who must provide financial information. This depends on your dependency status and household structure.
Yes. Contributors without an SSN can create an FSA ID using a secure verification system.
Common reasons include:
Generally, yes. If taxes are required and not filed, it may delay or disqualify aid. Seek guidance from a tax professional if needed.
Use available resources and contact services to choose a repayment plan that fits your income. A six-month grace period typically applies after graduation or leaving school. Stay in communication with your loan servicer and review repayment options regularly.
Denial may allow your student to receive additional unsubsidized loans.
Yes. These loans are non-transferable, difficult to discharge in hardship cases, and can impact the parent’s credit with risk of over-borrowing.
You can only remove your name through refinancing by the student with a private lender, which removes federal protections.
The financial aid process includes a few important milestones. We’ve simplified the process into four steps to help you stay on track and receive all the aid you qualify for.
UAT’s Federal School Code: 017188
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to apply for federal loans, grants, work-study opportunities, and some scholarships.
Once your FAFSA is complete, meet with your Financial Aid Advisor to:
Scholarships are ideal because they do not require repayment.
Scholarships are one of the most valuable ways to fund your education—free money that doesn’t need to be repaid. They may be awarded based on:
To find scholarship opportunities and review tips for a successful scholarship search, check out UAT scholarships and our scholarship resources page.
You don’t have to navigate this process alone. UAT’s Financial Aid Advisors are here to guide you through understanding your options, submitting applications, and creating a funding plan that helps you work toward your goals.
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Eliminate misconceptions that may delay your application or cause you to miss out on aid opportunities. Here are some common myths—debunked:
Filling out the FAFSA is hard and time-consuming.
If you gather the necessary information ahead of time, it can take as little as 30 minutes to complete.
If I’m under 24 or married, the parent or spouse I list becomes liable for my loans.
No one listed becomes financially responsible—FAFSA helps determine aid eligibility only.
I won’t qualify if I or my parents make too much, so it’s not worth applying.
Many aid types aren’t based solely on income. Submit the FAFSA to find out what you’re eligible for.
I have to file my current taxes before I submit the FAFSA.
FAFSA uses tax info from two years ago, so you can complete it even if your current return isn’t filed yet.
If I get selected for verification, something is wrong with my FAFSA.
Verifications are often random. It’s not a penalty or a sign of an error.
I only need to submit the FAFSA once.
You must submit the FAFSA every year you're in school to remain eligible for financial aid—aid amounts can change annually based on updated information.
These resources go beyond the basics to give you an edge. From building credit and understanding financial aid policies to tapping into employer tuition benefits, use these insights to make informed, strategic decisions about your education and your future.
Working while studying? Your employer might help cover your tuition. Tuition reimbursement is a benefit companies may offer, and it can dramatically lower the cost of your education.
Credit might seem intimidating, but it’s one of the most important tools in your financial toolbox. By building credit early and using it wisely, you’ll have greater flexibility and opportunity throughout college and beyond.
Not sure what a term means? Here's a helpful glossary to refer to as you move through the aid process.