Financial Aid

• Dependent Verification Form
• Dependent Status Override Application
• Independent Verification Form
• Statement of Educational Purpose
• Housing Status Form
• SNAP Verification Form
• Student Non Tax Filer Form
• Spouse Non Tax Filer Form
• Parent Non Tax Filer Form
• Child Support Received Form
• Marital Status Attestation Form
• Parental Non-Support Form
• Appealing for Federal Financial Aid
• Extenuating Circumstances Worksheet
• Extenuating Circumstances Form
• Untaxed Income Attestation Form

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to be eligible for financial aid.  Complete the application  at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The ASUMH school code is 042544.

FEDERAL PELL GRANT
A Federal Pell Grant is awarded to help undergraduate students pay for their education after high school. For the Federal Pell Grant Program, an undergraduate is one who has not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid except in certain circumstances where a student withdraws or has all failing grades.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG)
This grant is intended to supplement other aid received. These grants are federally funded with each school receiving a small allocation of funds each year. Therefore, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year as funds are awarded to a limited number of undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. SEOG grant award amounts depend on the amount of funds available to the institution. Typically, the amount varies between $300 and $1000 per academic year. 

FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS
How to apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using the ASUMH school code 042544.
2. Complete Loan Entrance Counseling at https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/.
3. Complete the Master Promissory Note at https://studentaid.gov/mpn/
4. Provide any additional documents requested by the ASUMH Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

Note: Students must complete the FAFSA every year to continue to apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan.

When do I begin to repay my Federal Direct Loans?

Each student is given a period of time before loan repayment begins; this is called a “grace period." The Federal Direct Loan grace period is six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half time status. Once a student exceeds their grace period, they must begin loan repayment. Federal Direct Loans are repaid to the federal government through a loan servicer, with 10-25 years to repay, depending on the repayment plan and total amount the student has borrowed.

Go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans for additional information about loan repayment.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM
This program provides on-campus jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for college expenses.  Students must complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible as funds for this program are limited. Students typically work up to 20 hours per week.  Students are paid every two weeks.   

 REHABILITATION SERVICES
Students with possible disabilities may contact Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (1-800-330-0632) or visit https://dws.arkansas.gov/ar-rehabilitation-services/ to learn more. 

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA)
The WIOA program is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.  Students should contact either their local Employment Security Division Office or the Arkansas Workforce Center for application and eligibility information.  Visit https://dws.arkansas.gov/workforce-services/workforce-innovation-wioa/ page for more information. 

CAREER PATHWAYS
Career Pathways is a financial assistance program to help students with college related expenses including paying for tuition, fees, books, transportation, child care, and other expenses. For further information regarding eligibility and the application process, contact the Career Pathways Office at (870) 508-6201 or visit the page on our website.

VETERAN BENEFITS
Arkansas State University - Mountain Home assists eligible veterans and dependents of veterans apply for educational benefits offered by the Veterans Administration.  Active duty military may also receive educational benefits to attend Arkansas State University - Mountain Home.  

STATE SCHOLARSHIPS
The State of Arkansas provides several types of grants and scholarships for residents of Arkansas. These include the Arkansas Academic Challenge / Lottery Scholarship, Arkansas Academic Challenge Plus (Need Based), Governors Scholarships, Arkansas Futures Grant and many additional opportunities for Arkansas residents. Information about assistance available from the state of Arkansas is available online at https://sams.adhe.edu/Scholarship.

1. Apply for admission to ASUMH

2. Apply for a Federal Student Aid ID username and password for the student and parent, if dependent, at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.

3. Complete the FAFSA on-line at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa using the FSA ID username and password for the student and parent.

• • • Use the Federal School Code 042544 when filing the FAFSA to have the results sent to ASUMH.
    • File the appropriate FAFSA.
    • 2025-2026 FAFSA is for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026
    • 2024-2025 FAFSA is for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025

4. After filing the FAFSA, there can be additional paperwork to complete for the ASUMH Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

• • • Watch your school email address only for additional information requests.

    • Additional documents may be required if you were chosen for verification. Many students who apply for Federal Financial Aid through the FAFSA are selected by the Central Processor to be verified. If you are selected, you will be required to provide additional verification documentation which will be requested on an as needed basis.  

    • If a student who is selected for verification does not complete the verification process, then any federal and / or need-based aid (Pell grant, SEOG, Work-Study, Federal Direct loans, certain Scholarships, and institutional aid) will NOT be awarded or disbursed.

5. Freshman Arkansas residents attending college for the first time can qualify for the ASUMH Academic Distinction Scholarship simply by applying for admission to ASUMH.

Notifications of aid offered for attending ASUMH are made via email to your ASUMH school email account.  Initial awards assume the student will be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester) for the entire school year. Students that are determined to be ineligible for aid because they are not maintaining the ASUMH Satisfactory Academic Progress policy must appeal to receive future aid, even if the aid was offered prior to the determination of ineligibility.

TYPES OF AWARDS

GRANTS
Federal Grants are awarded based upon need as determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity (SEOG) Grants do not have to be repaid as long as you complete the hours you are enrolled in to receive these funds.

DIRECT SUBSIDIZED AND/OR UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS
(Note: Loan offers require additional actions to be taken by the student.)

• Loan Offers must be Accepted, Declined, or Modified (a.k.a. reduced and accepted) online through the Banner Student Self-service portal
• A Master Promissory Note (https://studentaid.gov/mpn/) and Entrance Counseling (https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/) must be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/  under the Loans and Grants tab before receiving a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan.

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are considered a debt which must be repaid and are not excused in bankruptcy.

WORK STUDY
Work Study is only awarded if a student qualifies for work study and has been offered a job. Prior to each semester the ASUMH student body is emailed asking for students interested in doing work study to complete an application process. The list of student applicants is provided to the campus departments that have positions available. The departments conduct interviews, make their selection and instruct the student to visit the Human Resources Office to complete paperwork followed by a final visit to the ASUMH Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. 

VETERANS BENEFITS and PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Veterans Education Benefits can be impacted by assistance from other sources that is specifically designated to pay for the same tuition and/or fees.

STATE AID
Go to https://sams.adhe.edu/Scholarship for enrollment requirements on programs offered by the state of Arkansas, such as the Arkansas Academic Challenge. These scholarships are awarded later in the semester as all require census date information to ensure students are meeting requirements.

OTHER AWARD INFORMATION

Enrollment Requirements - Initial Federal Financial Aid awards are based on the assumption you will be enrolled full-time which is 12 credit hours or more per semester. Less than full-time enrollment reduces your eligibility for the aid awarded.

• The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you are eligible to receive is based upon your actual hours that are part of your selected Major.
• Federal Stafford Loans require at least half-time enrollment which is at least 6 credit hours that are part of your selected Major.
• Federal Work Study requires at least three-quarter time enrollment which is at least 9 credit hours.

Any time your plans for enrollment change, for any reason, you are responsible for informing the Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in writing.

Attendance and Withdrawing (Officially or Unofficially*) - Withdrawing, officially or unofficially, from courses at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home can result in a requirement for the student to repay all or a portion of Federal financial aid received for attending that semester.

Summer - The amount of aid available for enrollment in summer courses can be limited based upon the amount of aid received during the immediately preceding award year so you may want to consider borrowing less during the fall and spring semesters so you will have money available to attend summer courses.

To remain eligible for Federal Title IV financial aid and applicable Arkansas Department of Higher Education assistance, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) based on completion rate, cumulative GPA, and maximum timeframe.

SAP REQUIREMENTS

Completion Rate (Pace): Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted hours. Attempted hours include all coursework taken at Arkansas State University–Mountain Home, coursework taken while in high school, and accepted transfer hours, regardless of whether financial aid was received. Successful completion means a grade of A, B, C, D, or P. Withdrawals, incompletes, F grades, and other unsuccessful outcomes count as attempted but not completed hours.

Cumulative GPA: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Transfer grades are not included in the SAP GPA.

Maximum Timeframe: Students must be able to complete their program of study within 150% of the published credit hours required for the program. Attempted hours that apply toward the student's current program are included. The 150% timeframe may be reset when a student enters a new program of study; the completion rate and GPA are not reset.

SPECIAL SAP PROVISIONS

Transfer Hours: Accepted transfer hours are included in SAP calculations. Transfer hours applicable to the student's current program are included in the maximum timeframe. Transfer grades are excluded from GPA calculations.

Repeats: All attempts of repeated coursework count as attempted hours. Federal financial aid may generally be received for a previously passed course only once as a repeat; courses not previously passed may be repeated while the student remains otherwise eligible.

Remedial/CPT Coursework: Eligible remedial coursework may receive Federal Title IV aid when the student is admitted to a Title IV-eligible program. Remedial hours count toward SAP calculations except GPA.

Summer: All summer coursework is combined into one term for SAP evaluation, which occurs after the summer term ends.

Academic Clemency: Academic clemency does not apply to financial aid; hours remain subject to SAP calculations.

Additional Credentials: Students who have completed a Technical Certificate or Associate degree under one emphasis are not eligible for Federal Title IV aid to complete the same credential under another emphasis.

Grade Changes: Students are responsible for notifying the Financial Aid Office of grade changes or late-posted grades that may affect SAP.

WARNING, APPEALS, & PROBATION

Students who fail to meet SAP after a term in which they were meeting SAP may receive Financial Aid Warning for one subsequent term without an appeal. Students must regain SAP eligibility by the end of the warning term.

Students who are not eligible for Warning must submit a written appeal explaining the circumstances that prevented satisfactory progress, the impact of those circumstances, supporting documentation when available, and why the circumstances are not expected to continue. Academic dismissal also requires an appeal before financial aid can be restored.

An approved appeal may result in Financial Aid Probation or an Academic Plan. Students on Financial Aid Probation are expected to regain SAP by the end of the next term. An Academic Plan establishes specific requirements the student must meet to continue receiving aid and is based on the student's ability to complete the program within the 150% maximum timeframe. Failure to meet an Academic Plan results in loss of financial aid eligibility and is not appealable.

KEY DEFINITIONS

Attempted Hours: All hours taken at Arkansas State University–Mountain Home, regardless of outcome, plus accepted transfer hours and applicable coursework taken while in high school.

Program of Study: Coursework leading to a degree or certificate at Arkansas State University–Mountain Home. Not all programs are eligible for Federal Title IV aid.

Term of Enrollment: A period of attendance resulting in a grade being recorded on the student's academic transcript.

What are the office's hours?

The office is open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am to 5 pm and 7:30 to 2:00 on Friday from August - April.

The office is open Monday-Thursday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm (closed Friday-Sunday) from May - July.

Tuition and Availability of Refunds 

• The earliest availability of refunds of any federal financial aid, over and above all costs charged by the Office of the Cashier and agreed to by the student, is approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the first day of classes. 
• All students are strongly encouraged to complete Direct Deposit.
• The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home is not responsible for meeting student deadlines for payment that are imposed by the Cashier or any other entity.

Am I eligible for financial aid?

You must complete the FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/ to start the process of applying for aid. Once we have received that information from the Department of Ed, we can determine if you are eligible for aid and if so, how much and what kind you are eligible for.

Students who never attended ASUMH are considered eligible for aid.  All others are subject to the ASUMH Satisfactory Academic Progress policy

Are awarded amounts guaranteed funds?

No, the amounts are not guaranteed. Amounts are available if all eligibility criteria is met. Changes to FAFSA, grade level, enrollment level, Satisfactory Academic Progress status, loan default, etc. can affect eligibility.

Can I receive Federal Direct student loans if I am suspended?

No. All Federal Student Aid eligibility, including loans, is suspended when a student is placed on financial aid suspension due to not meeting the SAP requirements.

Can I view my current award information online?

Yes, all awards are available in the portal at Student Self Service - click here under the Award Offer tab in the Financial Aid section.

Do I need an appointment to meet with a counselor?

No. Financial aid counselors are available on a first-come, first-serve basis during normal business hours.

Do I need to complete a FAFSA each year?

Yes. Students must complete a FAFSA for each academic year in order to receive Federal Student Aid for that year.

How do I pay for my books?

Students should be prepared to purchase their books at the beginning of the semester. If a student has more financial aid expected than their bill, a book voucher is typically emailed from the Financial Aid Office the week before or the first week of classes.

I never received my refund. What should I do?

Contact the Financial Aid Office at 870-508-6100.

I previously declined an award. Can I still receive the award?

Your eligibility can be re-evaluated to be re-offered assuming all eligibility requirements are still being met. It may not be possible for a scholarship to be re-offered if the deadline has expired. Contact Financial Aid for further assistance.

Is a “financial aid disbursement” and a “refund” the same thing?

No. A financial aid disbursement is when the Financial Aid & Scholarships office credits aid to a student’s account. A refund is when the Business Office issues a refund of excess funds to a student either through direct deposit or a paper check.

What do I do if I have accepted all of my financial aid, but it does not cover my costs?

If a student does not have enough financial aid to cover their costs, it is recommended for them to speak with a financial aid counselor about their options.

What happens if I fail to meet the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

Students who do not maintain SAP for the first time are placed on WARNING and notified by letter and are eligible for aid for one additional semester. Federal Financial Aid is suspended, with the right to appeal, if a student is not maintaining SAP after a WARNING semester.

What is a course drop?

A drop is when a student ceases attendance from a course while continuing attendance in other courses during a semester.

What is a withdrawal?

A withdrawal is when a student ceases attendance from all enrolled courses during a semester after beginning attendance.

What is SAI?    

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated from the income and asset information the student provides on the FAFSA.

When will I receive my money?

Refunds usually begin being issued by the 6th week of classes if you have signed up for Direct Deposit with the Cashier’s Office.

Why did I not receive the refund amount I expected?

Refunds may be different than expected due to charges for a late added course or book voucher charges. Direct Stafford loans have origination fees that reduce the amount offered. Later starting courses can cause a delay in delivery of funds.

Will a course drop affect my eligibility?

Dropping a course may prevent a student from having the required number of hours for scholarship renewal. For Federal Student Aid, dropping a course adversely affects Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy which could result in loss of eligibility.

Will a withdrawal affect my eligibility?

It can, depending on your overall Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status and the assistance you receive.

Will I owe money if I withdraw?

It is possible that a student would be required to return all or a portion of their Federal Student Aid if they withdraw.

ASUMH has many scholarship opportunities. Take advantage of the options and get started today!