Once you have submitted your FAFSA, have turned in any additional verification documents requested, have accepted awards on your FAN, are enrolled for the requisite number of hours, and have finished any award-specific requirements (see the next paragraph), you’re ready to actually receive your financial aid funds.

Here are some of the award-specific requirements that you will need to complete at least once during your time at UT Austin (some of these may need to be done each semester):

• You will need to submit an FAN at least once per academic year to receive your awards
• For Federal Direct Loans and Perkins Loans, you will need to complete loan entrance counseling (only once)
• For Federal Direct Loans, you will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) available on the CASH "What do I need to Complete?" page.
• For Perkins Loans, you will be mailed a Master Promissory Note (MPN) that you will need to complete and submit to our office.
• For Work-Study, you will need to complete a counseling session on the CASH "What do I need to Complete?" page.
• For certain UT scholarships, you will have to complete a thank-you letter or submit other sorts of documentation before funds can be released to you

In addition to the above requirements, you will also need to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive your financial aid funds each semester.

Once you have been awarded by our office, our CASH (Check Aid Status Here) system will tell you of any current UT requirements that you need to complete before your funds can be disbursed.

Most financial aid awards are released as follows: Provided that all requirements have been met, we can begin disbursing funds to you a few days before classes start. At that time, we will use your financial aid funds to pay off anything you currently owe to the University such as tuition and fees or housing. If any funds remain after your university debts are paid, we release the funds to you. If you are set up to receive the funds by direct deposit into your bank account, we will initiate an ACH transaction to send the funds there. Otherwise, we will mail a check to you.

If your ACH transaction is sent to an account that has been closed, or is no longer valid, you should contact the Student Accounting Office at 471-3723 for assistance. This is also the number to contact if you believe your financial aid check has been lost in the mail.

In rare cases, financial aid funds are handled differently than above. If you choose an alternative loan lender who does not participate in UT Austin’s electronic processes, a paper check will be mailed to the University. These checks will be made available for you to pick up at the cashier’s office - we will notify you when they are ready.