Common Questions About Financial Aid

Eligibility Requirements

Learn who qualifies for federal financial aid and what factors such as enrollment status, credits, and military benefits determine your eligibility.

Degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for financial aid.
Non-degree students must pay in full before their term starts and are not eligible for aid.
Aid eligibility depends on your FAFSA results, enrollment status, and other factors like residency

Graduate students can receive federal unsubsidized loans, scholarships, and external support like employer tuition assistance.

Pell Grants are not available at the graduate level.

Yes! Many part-time students are eligible for financial aid. However, the amount you receive may be reduced based on your credit load.

For example, Pell Grant amounts and federal loan eligibility are prorated for part-time enrollment. As long as you meet the minimum credit requirements and complete the FAFSA, you may still qualify for federal and institutional aid.

Undergraduates: Full-time aid begins at 3 credits per 5-week term. Some Pell Grant recipients may qualify with 1 credit.

Graduates: Must be enrolled in at least 3 credits per 8-week term.

Failing to earn credits may affect academic standing and loan eligibility.

Yes, military and veteran students may be eligible for benefits like the GI Bill®, Yellow Ribbon, and MyCAA, in addition to traditional financial aid.

Yes. Even if you’re receiving VA education benefits such as the GI Bill®, you can and should still complete the FAFSA to be considered for additional aid like federal grants, student loans, and Unity scholarships. These can help cover expenses that military benefits may not, such as course materials or living costs.

Yes! Unity allows students to take a term off—whether for personal needs or career-building opportunities like internships—without losing future eligibility, as long as they remain in good standing.

Applying for Financial Aid

Understand when and how to submit your FAFSA and why reapplying each year is an important step in paying for college.

Submit your FAFSA at least one week before your intended start date so we can process your aid.

If no extra info is needed, you’ll receive your award letter by email within 3–5 business days.

Unity’s School Code is 006858.

Yes. To remain eligible for financial aid, all students must complete a new FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) every academic year. Your financial situation, enrollment status, and program may change, so reapplying ensures you receive the correct aid package.

Contact our Distance Education concierge team to guide you through the process and make your path to a green career more affordable. Reach out anytime: email unityonline@unity.edu or call (207) 376-9794.

Types of
Financial Aid

Explore the grants, loans, scholarships, and state-based programs available to students, plus additional support like tax credits.

Unity students may qualify for:

Federal grants like Pell and FSEOG (for undergraduates)
Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
Merit- and need-based scholarships
Employer tuition reimbursement (check your benefits!)
State-specific aid, like the Maine State Grant
Tax credits like Opportunity Maine for eligible in-state graduates

Maine residents with student loans may qualify for the Educational Opportunity Tax Credit (EOTC) if they:

Earned a degree from a Maine college
Live and work in Maine
Took out student loans after Jan 1, 2008

Submit the EOTC worksheet with your state tax return to claim the benefit.

Unity does not currently offer a federal work‑study program for Distance Education students. However, Unity students consistently intern with mission-aligned organizations, including conservation agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, environmental non-profits, and policy organizations.

FAFSA Help

Find answers to common FAFSA issues, from pending aid and missing documents to refunds and required forms, so you can stay on track with paying for college.

If your aid shows as pending or hasn’t been disbursed, it usually means we’re missing documentation or are still verifying your FAFSA® information.

Make sure you’ve submitted any requested forms or ID verification.

You must also be actively enrolled to trigger disbursement.

Once everything is complete, your aid will move from “pending” to “disbursed” and be applied to your account.

The redesigned FAFSA® has introduced known system issues where required questions are skipped or hidden. This isn’t your fault, but we may need to follow up for details to finalize your financial aid package.

Read more about commonly known issues with the FAFSA®.

Your initial award letter is an estimate based on the FAFSA®. During the verification process, we confirm all submitted data. This may lead to requests for additional documents or changes to your aid package. Check your email regularly to avoid delays.

If there are no FAFSA® errors, refunds are issued by the end of week 3 of the term.

If corrections are needed, refunds are processed within 3-5 days of aid disbursement.

Once you become a student, you can sign up for direct deposit in your student portal to receive funds faster.

Any required documents will be sent to your Unity email. Common forms include: