How To Apply For Financial Aid

1. Plan a Budget

Plan a realistic expense budget.

The DMU cost of attendance budget is an average of what expenses may be and is also the maximum you can receive. You can request any amount of financial aid up to the DMU student budget for your class. Federal regulations do not allow the financial aid office to certify a student for more than the student budget (this includes all financial aid resources including but not limited to loans, scholarships, NHSC, HPSP (military) any other form of financial aid a student may be receiving).
Determine what the best available sources are to meet individual expenses.

First time borrowers need to complete Entrance Interview it available as part of the financial aid packet on the portal or http://www.dmu.edu/FA/entranceinterview/index.htm.
Next, go online at www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the FAFSA. This must be done every academic year to determine eligibility. Please have a copy of the prior years tax form.
To apply for a Stafford Loan first time borrowers or students that wish to change lenders are required to complete a Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). You can apply for a DMU no fee Stafford loan electronically on the DMU student portal. If you are using a lender other than DMU please submit an MPN to the Financial Aid Office. All Stafford borrowers are required to complete a Stafford Loan Request Form available on the DMU student portal. If you are applying for a GradPlus or an alternative loan please refer to the financial aid packet on the portal for information and instructions.
Once financial aid has been processed an award letter is sent. This is notification that the school has approved the amounts listed. If a Grad Plus or an alternative loan was certified, the lender approves or denies the loan based on credit.