Financial Aid Options
College is a significant investment in your future. You have a number of options for financing your education, and we’re here to help you make sense of them. From grants to student loans to scholarships to Federal work-study, we offer more than $36 million in financial assistance to students annually.
FAFSA, officially known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the form that prospective college students fill out to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study funds. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, which provides more than $150 billion in student aid each year.
Your financial aid eligibility cannot be processed until after you’ve been accepted as a student to AUM, but we’re more than happy to help answer any questions you might have before then. If our financial aid FAQ doesn’t provide the answer, our staff will be happy to assist you if you have additional questions.
Financial Aid Application Process
Fill Out the
Online Application
AUM has a priority deadline of March 1 each year. This means the Federal Processor must receive the FAFSA on or before March 1st. Please note that an electronic submission may take 2-5 business days to reach the Federal Processor. For priority consideration, you’ll want to file at least a week prior to March 1.
Apply for an
FSA ID
Create an FSA ID here. If you are a dependent student, your parents should also create an FSA ID as they will need to sign your FAFSA as well.
Gather Financial
Information
Collect income and asset information, federal tax returns, etc. for the year prior to the FAFSA award year. For example, if you are filling out the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year, you will need information from your 2023 federal income tax return(s), W-2(s), etc.
You will also need to list AUM’s Title IV school code (008310) on the FAFSA to have your information released to this institution.
Submit Your
FAFSA
Complete your FAFSA online here. Make sure that you electronically sign your application with your FSA ID. If you are a dependent student, make sure that one of your parents signs with his or her FSA ID as well.
Check Your AUM
Email Account Often
Your AUM email account is the official mode of communication for the university. Be sure to check your email account on a regular basis. If additional information or documentation is needed once you have submitted your FAFSA, an email request will be sent to you.
An Aid Package
Will Be Awarded
The AUM Office of Financial Aid will create an award package and you will be notified of your eligibility. Your aid package will be based on the information provided on the FAFSA, as well as institutional information. An award information email will be sent once you have been awarded. Also, you may check your Warhawk Self Service account for your award information. Learn more about the awards process.
Questions? We can help.
The Office of Financial Aid is here to help answer your questions about the financial commitment of college, how to create a solid plan for paying your student loans, what to expect when applying for scholarships and grants, and more. Visit our office, give us a call, or submit a question using our contact form, so you start feeling comfortable and confident about your financial plan for college.
Explore the forms you’ll need for these financial aid options.
Explore the forms you’ll need for these financial aid options.
From planning financial aid for summer months to reviewing our formal financial aid policies, browse our additional financial aid resources.
Entrance and Exit Loan Counseling
First time Federal Direct Loan borrowers at AUM must complete loan entrance counseling. This important information explains the mandatory process borrowers must undergo along with their responsibilities prior to accepting a federal loan. The primary reason for these efforts is to ensure that students have lower rates of delinquency in repaying their loans along with lower rates of defaulting on the loans.
The entire process is virtual and completed in 20-30 mins. Exit counseling provides important information to prepare you to repay your federal student loan(s).
If you have received a subsidized, unsubsidized or PLUS loan under the Direct Loan Program or the FFEL Program, you must complete exit counseling each time you:
First time Federal Direct Loan borrowers at Auburn University at Montgomery must complete a loan entrance counseling before funds can be disbursed.
Federal Direct Loan entrance counseling may be completed here.
Note: First time first year borrowers must wait 30 days after the first day of class before the 1st loan payment can be disbursed to the student’s AUM student account.
Students that borrow from the Federal Direct Loan or Perkins Loan Program are required to complete exit counseling when any of the conditions below are met. Exit counseling helps students understand their rights and responsibilities as student loan borrowers. The exit counseling session(s) will provide useful tips and information to help manage student loans, including repayment plans and estimated monthly payments.
Students that borrowed Federal Direct Stafford or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans under the Federal Direct Loan Program or Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) are required to complete exit counseling when departing from Auburn University at Montgomery. Exit counseling is required before students withdraw, graduate, or drop below half-time attendance (even if transferring to another school).
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study Program is a federally funded program that provides part-time employment opportunities in various offices on campus and in the community to students who demonstrate financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are paid at an hourly rate (typically minimum wage), and receive their pay through the university payroll system on a bi-weekly basis for hours worked. Federal Work-Study funds will not be credited directly to a student’s AUM student account.
Work-Study eligibility is determined each year as a result of early submission of the FAFSA and a student’s financial need.
Funding levels and the number of positions are limited, therefore, positions are not guaranteed to all eligible applicants or from one year to the next. Recipients must agree to work the hours required by these positions. The award amounts are typically made to allow you to work a maximum of 20 hours a week. Work schedules and positions are determined each semester, and are planned around the student’s class schedule. Priority consideration during the initial awarding period is given to students that complete the FAFSA by the March 1st priority date, and indicate you are interested in Work-study on the FAFSA.
Financial Aid Options for College
It’s important to think about your financial future when you’re applying for colleges or continuing your education career for another year. AUM offers a wide variety of scholarships, grants, student loan options, and federal work-study programs to help you manage the financial demands that college can pose.
Financial aid - Commonly Asked Questions
Once you are accepted to AUM and your FAFSA has been processed, the AUM Office of Financial Aid creates an award package based on your FAFSA results and institutional information. You will receive an award notification email, and you can also view your complete award details by logging into your Warhawk Self Service account.
Your award letter will show the “mix” of aid offered, which may include gift aid (grants and scholarships that do not require repayment) and self-help aid (work-study and loans that require action or repayment). Review it carefully to understand exactly what you are receiving; not all aid is free money. If you have questions, contact the AUM Office of Financial Aid directly at (334) 244-3571 or visit https://www.aum.edu/scholarships-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/.
Yes. The FAFSA captures a snapshot of your household finances, but it may not reflect special or recent circumstances such as job loss, divorce, death of a parent, or unusual medical expenses. AUM’s Office of Financial Aid can review requests for aid adjustments based on Federal Guidelines.
To initiate a review, contact the Financial Aid Office directly at (334) 244-3571 or visit the office to discuss your situation and learn what documentation is required. Because aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, it is best to act quickly. More details are available at https://www.aum.edu/scholarships-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/faq/.
Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program that provides part-time employment for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need, allowing them to earn money to help cover education expenses. At AUM, students who meet the March 1 FAFSA priority date are given first consideration for limited FWS funds.
To qualify, you must complete the FAFSA, demonstrate financial need, and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. If Federal Work-Study is part of your award package, you are eligible to earn a paycheck; funds are not automatically applied to your tuition balance. Visit https://www.aum.edu/scholarships-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/ for more details.
Absolutely. Federal Work-Study is just one path to on-campus employment. AUM offers other part-time, on-campus positions for students regardless of whether they receive Federal Work-Study in their award package. These jobs can help cover everyday education expenses and provide valuable professional experience alongside your studies.
To explore available positions, check with AUM’s Career Development Center or individual university departments, as many offices hire student workers directly. The Financial Aid Office can also point you toward employment resources; contact them at (334) 244-3571.
AUM administers several grant programs that do not require repayment:
Yes. In addition to AUM’s general merit and need-based scholarships, each of AUM’s colleges offers scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or with specific backgrounds. This includes opportunities for women, underrepresented minorities, and students pursuing fields such as education, business, nursing, and the liberal arts.
To maximize your chances, complete the FAFSA annually and contact the AUM Scholarship Office to discuss which scholarships match your individual profile. Note that academic scholarships apply to face-to-face programs only and do not apply to fully online programs. Browse all options at https://www.aum.edu/scholarships-and-financial-aid/scholarships/.
Yes, AUM accepts and coordinates the disbursement of external scholarship funds, including awards like the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund Scholarship Program, which offers up to $20,000 for high school seniors with financial need pursuing post-secondary education.
However, outside scholarships are considered an “outside resource” and must be reported to the AUM Office of Financial Aid via the Outside Resource tab in Warhawk Self Service. Additional outside funding can affect the mix of other aid you receive, so reporting it promptly is required. External scholarship checks should be made payable to Auburn University at Montgomery and sent to the Office of Financial Aid, including your full name and student ID number. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (334) 244-3571 or visit https://www.aum.edu/scholarships-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/faq/ for reporting guidance.
