Completing the process for Scholarships
After you apply for UT Austin scholarships using the ApplyTexas Application for Freshman Scholarships, the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) reviews your application to determine your eligibility for scholarships. Representatives from scholarship committees that administer other scholarships may also review your scholarship information.
If you applied for UT Austin scholarships using the ApplyTexas Application and you are admitted to the university, the following steps will occur.
Steps in the Scholarship Process
1. We’ll notify you that we’ve received your scholarship application.
If we have an e-mail address for you, we’ll let you know when we receive your scholarship application. Make sure that the university has a valid e-mail address for you to ensure that you receive official notifications from the university.
2. We’ll notify you about scholarship awards.
You will hear from the Office of Student Financial Services about scholarship offers no earlier than March 1. Academic units making scholarship offers to entering freshmen may begin their notification process earlier.
If you completed the FAFSA for need-based aid, scholarships offered by the Office of Student Financial Services will be a part of the financial aid package included as part of your Electronic Financial Aid Notification (EFAN).
3. You complete the steps needed to accept your scholarships.
Some scholarship recipients may receive a separate acceptance letter for specific scholarship offers. Such letters may tell you of specific requirements to receive your scholarship or explain conditions to maintain eligibility. Carefully follow the directions and adhere to any deadlines noted in your acceptance letters or EFAN to ensure that you do not jeopardize your scholarship award(s).
4. You receive your scholarship funds.
In most cases, scholarship and financial aid awards are distributed a few days before classes begin. Before your funds are released, you must submit your acceptance and any other required documents, register for full-time hours or approved part-time hours, and choose a tuition/fee bill payment option.
When your funds are disbursed, they will be applied directly to any outstanding debt that you currently owe to the university, your tuition and housing expenses, for example. After your university debts are paid, remaining funds are released to you through direct deposit into your bank account or by a mailed check.
Receiving Outside Scholarships
If you applied for department scholarships separately or scholarships from a foundation, private company or community group, you will hear about those awards separately. You are required to notify the Office of Student Financial Services of any scholarships or waivers that you will receive from sources other than the Financial Aid office. Students are not permitted to receive more financial aid, scholarships, or waivers than the amount needed to cover the cost of education.
If you receive a scholarship check or if the donor wishes to send your funds directly to UT Austin, visit TexasScholarships.org for instructions about where to send these funds so they are processed appropriately.
Checking Your Financial Aid Status
To determine the status of your financial aid award, find out if your bills have been paid, or check if your money has been sent to you, use one of the following resources:
- Be a Longhorn (Select "Finances")
- CA$H (Check Aid Status Here), the personalized OSFS information web site
- Student Accounts Receivable web site
Updating Your Contact Information
If any changes to your mailing or e-mail addresses occur, please notify us immediately. If your local, permanent, and e-mail addresses are not current, information sent to you by the university (including financial aid checks) may be lost, delayed, or returned to the university. E-mail is a university-approved form of official communication to students, so you should check your e-mail frequently.
You can update your profile information online with your UT EID and password or in person with a photo ID at the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS).
Questions?
Access the Office of Student Financial Services’ Ask Don! for immediate answers to common financial aid questions, or call OSFS at 512-475-6282, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.