Financing Your Student’s Education
If your family needs financial aid to support your student at University of Detroit Mercy, know that you are not alone. Detroit Mercy believes in the affordability of higher education, so your student is positioned for success long before graduation. That is why 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some financial aid. Our students access assistance through
- institutional scholarships,
- state grants,
- federal grants,
- low-interest educational loans,
- and federal work-study.
For more information regarding federal aid, please review the information on studentaid.gov.
For information about the State of Michigan aid, please see the MI Student Aid Student website.
Financial Services in Two Offices
The Scholarship & Financial Aid Office manages all student aid. The Student Accounting Office maintains all student charges and payments not made by financial aid. Both offices are located in our Student Union and are open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
How do I see my financial aid award offer?
This question is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive. And we are happy that students ask because that shows that they are interested and are engaged. Students can see their financial aid package by logging in to My Portal. The Financial Aid Award Offer shows the University’s Cost of Attendance (both billable and non-billable items) and all of the aid offered.
If there are any missing documents or additional requirements needed, those are listed on the Financial Aid Home page in My Portal. Students should complete those requirements prior to the start of the school year. You can find the document(s) on our Financial Aid Forms page if we need a student to complete required forms. Students may need your assistance in completing them.
Titan Up Financial Aid Tips
Tip 1: File that FAFSA.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an essential tool for students in college. The FAFSA opens the possibility for federal and state grants, work-study, loans, and some scholarships. The FAFSA is free and can also empower students by increasing their financial literacy.
Regardless of your family’s financial situation, you should always fill out the FAFSA as you may qualify for more aid than you think. Additionally, there are scholarships and grants (external and maintained by Detroit Mercy) that require a FAFSA to be submitted every year for renewal. But just because they do it once doesn’t mean that is enough. The FAFSA must be resubmitted every year for federal and state financial aid.
If you or your student need assistance completing the FAFSA, please get in touch the Scholarship & Financial Aid Office. One of our team members will be able to offer service.
Tip 2: Be Familiar with Student Loans
There is a lot of negative talk about student loans. But the truth is, loans are a tool and a resource to make college affordable for many students and their families. Responsible and reasonable student loan borrowing can help students establish credit. The funds from student loans can also be utilized to pay for non-billed expenses such as books and supplies. Subsidized Loans do not accrue interest while students are studying at least half-time. Unsubsidized Loans accrue interest but only require repayment once a student graduates or ceases to enroll in school.
Tip 3: Work On-Campus
Working on campus is an excellent way for a Titan to build a resume, make professional connections, and earn some money. Students working on-campus are paid bi-weekly with a paycheck, helping students practice budgeting habits. All students can participate in on-campus employment; some may also be eligible for Federal Work-Study. Students can find on-campus positions by logging in to Handshake, an employment page managed by our Center for Career & Professional Development.
Tip 4: Payment Options
It can feel daunting to have the tuition paid by the tuition payment deadline, but making monthly payments may be more manageable for a family. If your family is in this situation, know that you can sign up for an interest-free monthly payment plan through our third-party processes, Transact Campus Smartpay. The deadline to sign up for the Fall term or for the academic year is August 1. Students can sign up for this via the Student Account page in My Portal.
