Financial Aid FAQs

Our How Financial Aid Works page provides you with valuable information about financial aid and student employment. Some of the highlights include:

• Financial planning
• Information on maintaining your financial aid eligibility
• What happens when your circumstances change
• A glossary of financial aid acronyms and terms

You can also visit our Financial Aid TV for more information about financial aid, including short videos.

To be considered for need-based financial aid, prospective students must file both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The CSS Profile is only required for new, undergraduate students. Continuing student need not resubmit.

Visit our Applying for Aid page for more information.

• CSS Profile is the College Scholarship Service, which is administered by the College Board to help universities determine eligibility for institutional need-based financial aid.
• FAFSA is used to apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. 

There is no separate application required; applicants are automatically considered for an academic scholarship when they apply for admission. UM awards merit scholarships to incoming undergraduate students based on their academic achievements. Visit our Scholarship FAQ page for more information.

For an early estimate of your financial aid award, we encourage you to use UM's Net Price Calculator.

Since UM is a private institution, tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. You can visit our Tuition and Fees page for more information.

There are both non‒need-based and need-based financial aid programs available to Florida residents, including Florida Bright Futures Scholarships and the Florida Student Access Grant (FSAG). Visit our Florida Aid Programs page for more information.

The University of Miami accepts the Florida Prepaid College Program. For more information, visit the Florida Prepaid College Program page. For any inquiries, please submit a case to canescentral.miami.edu.

Yes, if you wish to be considered for need-based assistance or federal loans, you need to need to complete the CSS Profile and the FAFSA. Employee dependents should be sure to complete the Certification of Florida Residency so we can determine your eligibility to receive Florida-based aid. Visit our Florida Aid Programs page for more information.

Yes, the University of Miami offers international student both merit and need-based aid. If you are applying for financial aid, you must submit the CSS Profile by the stated deadlines. For more information, please review the checklist on our Applying for Aid page.

The University of Miami is need-aware. This means that, for a portion of applicants, the Admission Committee will consider that student’s ability to pay tuition without the need for financial aid. UM is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted international students. 

All prospective first-year international students who apply for admission to UM must submit an International Financial Certification Form, which can be accessed via the applicant portal after you have submitted your application.

DACA high school seniors and transfer students in the state of Florida are eligible to receive need-based aid through the U Dreamers Program. Visit our U Dreamers Program page for more information.

UM's financial aid policy begins with the premise that parents, even if they are divorced or separated, have the primary responsibility to contribute to their children’s college education costs to the extent that they are able before institutional need-based funds will be provided. In order to calculate an expected family contribution and determine a student’s financial aid eligibility, we require financial information from both natural parents and their current spouses. 

Yes, to be reconsidered for need-based financial assistance, you must submit the FAFSA application each year no later than February 1.

We reevaluate your financial need each year by carefully reviewing the updated application and recalculating the family contribution. Any changes in your family’s financial situation may alter your financial aid award. 

Your financial aid package may be affected if:

• The addition of your outside scholarship causes your award to exceed your demonstrated financial need
• The addition of your outside scholarship causes your total award to exceed the standard cost of attendance

*Please note: Always check with the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment when adding any awards from outside agencies to find out the full impact of such awards on your UM financial aid award. Never assume that your original financial aid award will remain the same if new awards are added. We reserve the right to modify any financial aid award at any time due to changes in eligibility based on federal regulations and University policy. Visit our Terms and Conditions page for more information.

If you are a recipient of an outside scholarship, you are required by the U. S. Department of Education to notify the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment (OSFAE). Please submit all information from the scholarship agency to the OSFAE as soon as the student is made aware of the award. Please use the Outside Scholarship Documentation Submission Form to report this information. 

Visit our Additional Scholarship Resources page for more information. 

To update your financial aid interest, be sure to complete the Financial Aid Status Update Form located in your Applicant Portal.

Even if you missed the deadline, you can still apply; however, you must be aware that you will be at a distinct disadvantage. Be sure to complete both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA as soon as possible.

If you are unable to find the answer to your financial aid question above, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment directly at 305-284-6000. Visit our Student Financial Assistance and Employment page for more information to financial aid application requirements, deadlines, or expected costs.

Students enrolling in certificate courses through the Division of Continuing and International Education program may apply for private education loans through the lender of their choice. The loans are subject to approved credit. Approved loans may be certified by the institution to cover the billed cost of the certificate program only.