Resources

• UNH financial aid deadline is March 1. That means your application has to be received by the federal processor.
• You must re-apply for financial aid every year.
• Apply for federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply beginning Oct. 1 at fafsa.gov.
• Students and parents both need an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA application electronically.
• Applications must be complete and accurate to evaluate your financial information. Incomplete applications will delay the aid process.
• If you are planning to visit the campus, make an appointment to speak with a financial aid counselor and an admissions officer.
• Keep records of all materials submitted to the college or the federal processor.
• The FAFSA will require income data from the prior year (ex. 2023-2024 FAFSA will look at 2021 income); use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import your tax information.
• Respond to all inquiries and requests for documentation as quickly as possible. Failure to do so may result in a delay in receiving your financial aid package.
• Never assume: Read all information sent to you thoroughly. If you have questions, call the appropriate college office.
• Understand the terms and conditions of all assistance offered. Make sure the offer is a solid commitment and not just an estimate or preliminary assessment of eligibility.
• If you have been dealing with an intermediary, such as a coach, department head, or other college officials offering financial assistance, check with the financial aid office to ensure the individual has the authority to make the offer.
• Call before you visit to ensure the person you are interested in speaking to is available that day.
• Inform the Financial Aid or Student Accounts offices of any outside scholarships, grants or other assistance you will be receiving.
• When in doubt, ask.

Overview

Federal: Federal student loans are real loans and must be repaid. Know what you owe by logging into StudentAid.gov with your FSA ID.

The longer you take to repay your student loans, the more you will pay over the life of the loan. Once your loans are paid off, more of your earnings can go to discretionary expenses such as a car, vacation, home ownership, investments etc.

Get all the information you need to manage repayment of your federal student loans at Federal Student Aid: Understanding Student Loan Repayment.

Private: If you took out private student loans, you will need to contact your lender directly to determine what you owe and your repayment options.

Calculating Your Loan Payment

Go to one of these loan calculators to find out what your monthly payment will be and discover how much interest you will pay over the life of the loan. Try lowering your repayment period and see that your monthly payment will go up but the amount of interest will go down.

• Mapping Your Future: Loan Repayment Calculator
• Federal Student Aid Loan Simulator

Consolidation

If you have taken out several loans, you may be able to consolidate them into one loan and make only one monthly payment. However, depending on which repayment plan you choose, this may increase your total amount paid to the loan. Please note that you may lose borrower benefits by consolidating your loans. You should contact the servicer of your loans to weigh the pros and cons of consolidation. You cannot consolidate your Federal and Private loans together.

Federal: Consolidation for eligible Federal loans is available only through the Federal Government.

Private: Consolidation for eligible private loans is available through

• Wells-Fargo
• Citizens Bank
• EDvestinU

Don't Jeopardize Your Financial Future

Remember that making your student loan payment on time each month will help you build your credit and not being responsible for your repayment will hurt your credit and thus your future opportunities. If you are having trouble making your monthly loan payments you will need to contact your lender for assistance.

Deduct Student Loan Interest from Your Taxes

You may be able to take a tax deduction for the interest paid on student loans that you took out for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. This benefit applies to all loans (not just federal student loans) used to pay for higher education expenses and is available even if you do not itemize deductions. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year.

There are income limits on the deduction along with other restrictions. Please consult the IRS or a qualified tax advisor for complete information.

Free Credit Report

The federal government mandates consumers be eligible for one free credit report a year from each of these credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax (EFX). Free reports are only at AnnualCreditReport.com . Other sites that offer free reports charge for other services.

The Point Foundation empowers promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society.

Fastweb's Financial Aid for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Students

The UNH Alumni Association accepts applications for merit-based scholarships from students whose parent, grandparent or great-grandparent attended UNH. Scholarships recognize leadership skills, outstanding academic records and broad extracurricular interests. Scholarships open in February.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation provides grants, interest-free and low-interest loans for New Hampshire residents pursuing undergraduate or graduate study at approved institutions of post-secondary education. Contact them for information and applications at: 37 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301 ~ (603) 225-6641 or (800) 464-6641 E-mail: info@nhcf.org

Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities: scholarships and fellowships for students with disabilities.

The Lord Scholarship is a need-based scholarship fund for residents of Carroll County. Lord Scholarship Applications must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office by March 1.

AmeriCorps Program - AmeriCorps members who complete their service are eligible for an education award of $4,725 (based on full-time service)

The Army and Air Force offer scholarships to qualified students enrolled in a baccalaureate program. Visit Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC for more information.

The NH Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) provides individual guidance throughout the financial aid process, outreach to New Hampshire high schools, businesses and community organizations, career exploration information, and access to more than 2,500 national public and private scholarship sources.

The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid offers free comprehensive student financial aid information on the web.