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2024-2025 FAFSA® FAQs

Affordability
Admissions, Costs & Aid
Filling out the FAFSA®

A Message from President Khoury

Dear Students,

At Unity Environmental University, we understand that the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) can be daunting, especially in light of the nationwide challenges many students are facing. We want to assure you that we are here to support you every step of the way.

Our dedicated team is proactively working to ensure that you receive the federal financial aid you deserve. We are committed to providing you with the resources and guidance needed to navigate this process as smoothly as possible.

Please take a moment to review our list of frequently asked questions below. If you have any further questions or need personalized assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to your Concierge or Advisor. We are here to help you achieve your educational goals and secure the funding necessary for your success.

With hope and determination,
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury
President, Unity Environmental University

FAQs

  • When I completed my FAFSA® it said I was all set. Why am I learning now that I still need to do something?

    The FAFSA® was recently redesigned by the U.S. Department of Education to be simpler and ask you only 30-60 questions rather than 80-90. However, this means some required questions might have been missed. This isn’t your fault! But, it does mean that we will be reaching out to get the required information from you to get you awarded as quickly as possible.

    To read more about commonly known issues with the 24/25 FAFSA®, click here

  • Why aren’t my funds released?

    Sometimes we need extra information before we can legally release your financial aid, and we’re working hard to get your funds to you as quickly as possible. As soon as we have the missing information we need, we can apply the funds to your statement.

  • I got my award letter, but now I am learning that there are missing docs or missing information. Why?

    Your initial award letter is always an estimation of your aid eligibility based on the information you provided in your FAFSA®. However, during the packaging process, we are required to verify absolutely everything. During that verification process, we may reach out to you about missing documents or other missing information. If there are any changes or updates to the data provided in the FAFSA®, the finalized award letter may differ from the initial estimated award letter. We provide these initial estimates to let you make an informed decision about the cost of attendance at Unity as early as possible.

  • Why is my aid only showing as pending on my statement?

    “Pending” means your aid is estimated but hasn’t been fully processed yet. Once verification is complete and you’re enrolled for the term, your aid status will change and the “Pending” status will be removed.

  • Why did it take so long to find out that I had to do something else?

    Changes in the 24/25 FAFSA® are causing significant delays in communication from the Department of Education. As soon as we discover there is additional information needed from you, we contact you by email. You should regularly check for emails about outstanding documents from the Financial Aid Office. If you are missing documents but do not see an email, or have questions about what you need to submit, please contact your advisor or concierge.

  • Why must a copy of my ID be mailed with the notarized Statement of ID?

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education suspended some requirements around notarization. However, these requirements have been reinstated, so a copy of your ID along with the notarized Statement of ID, must be mailed to the address below.

    Financial Aid Office,
    70 Farm View Drive, Suite 200,
    New Gloucester, ME, 04260

  • How do I send in copies of my Social Security card or Birth Certificate?

    We recommend that you send a copy via the U.S. Postal Service (see the address above) or fax it to 207-512-1168. If you don’t have a fax machine (we get it), there are many websites and apps that will allow you to fax a photo without a machine.

  • Why am I being asked a question that I never saw on the FAFSA®?

    The FAFSA® was recently redesigned by the U.S. Department of Education to be simpler and ask you only 30-60 questions rather than 80-90. However, this means some required questions might have been missed. This isn’t your fault! However, it does mean that we will be reaching out to get the required information from you to get you awarded as quickly as possible.

    For example: there may have been an error that prevented you from seeing a question about your household size. If that happens, our Financial Aid Office will be following up with you to correct this error and get your aid awarded as quickly as possible.

  • When will I get my refund?

    If you are eligible for a refund and don’t have any FAFSA® corrections or errors, your refund will be issued by the end of the second week of the term. To get the money in your bank account as quickly as possible, click here to fill out the Direct Deposit form in your student portal.

    If you are flagged for any FAFSA® corrections or errors, your refund will be issued within 3-5 days of your aid being disbursed. We will work with you to ensure we get your aid awarded as quickly as possible.

  • Why isn’t my aid disbursed? What else can I do?

    Please check your email for notification from the Financial Aid Office. There may be outstanding documentation that we need from you.

  • Where do I find and complete missing information or forms?

    Please check your email for a message from Financial Aid about any missing documents. Those emails will always have the documents that you need to fill out attached. Fill out those forms, and then send them back to us according to the instructions. If you don’t see the forms, view the links below or contact us.

If you have any other questions about your financial aid that are not answered here, please reach out to your Advisor or Concierge.

Dependent Verification Form 24-25
Independent Verification Form 24-25
Statement of ID Purpose
Special Circumstance-Dependent
Special Circumstance-Independent
How To Add a Signature to Your FAFSA® Form

We understand that the current national financial aid issues are creating significant challenges. At Unity, we are doing our best to accommodate these changes, but it is crucial for students to recognize that this is not an issue unique to our institution. Your cooperation and understanding are vital as we work through this together.

Our Advisors and Concierges are fully dedicated to assisting you in every way possible. We are expediting processes as fast as we can, but please be aware that our timeline is heavily influenced by the U.S. Department of Education. We are committed to taking a proactive role in addressing your concerns, and we understand how frustrating this situation can be.

To ensure your financial aid processes go smoothly, it is essential for you to be diligent in entering your data accurately, submitting all required documentation on time, and regularly checking your email for updates. By working together, we can manage these issues more effectively.

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