UW-River Falls

Advanced Opportunity Grant

Program Procedure

• Minority and disadvantaged graduate students may apply for the AOP grant.

• All students are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the Financial Assistance Office.

• Students must self-identify by completing the AOP Application. This form must be certified by the Multicultural Services Office. To be certified the student must:

• Be admitted to the Graduate School.

• Be a member of one of the following racial/ethnic minorities: Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, S. E. Asian or be disadvantaged (socially, economically, or educationally). This is determined by information submitted on the financial aid form and in personal file located in the Multicultural Services Office (Federal Guidelines).

• Be making satisfactory progress as determined by the Graduate School .

• Meet with Director of the Multicultural Services Office once a term.

• To renew a grant, students must follow the procedures as indicated above each year for a maximum of 2 years (full-time attendance).

• Priority will be given to continuing students, first year Wisconsin residents (minority and non-minority), prior to offering awards to first year non-residents.

• Although awards are not based on need, participants will be expected to pursue other available sources of funding, in addition to AOP funding. Any AOP balance, refund, or cancellations will be re-awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis after the priority deadline. All applications will be date stamped as they are submitted.

• Students must be registered for at least 2 credits. The awards are based on per credit charges plus cost of books and supplies up to 9 credits per term.

• After recipients have been selected, award notices via the regular financial aid award process will be sent to the student also indicating other aid the student is eligible to receive. AOP will not replace any grants, scholarships, waivers, or fellowships the student would have been eligible to receive initially.

• The grant will be awarded for the value of tuition based on Wisconsin Resident rates. The maximum grant eligibility is equal to two years of full time attendance. Years of eligibility will be prorated if less than full-time attendance.

• Funds will be credited directly to the student's account for institutional charges. This system will provide a quicker turn- around time from when the funds are ordered to the time students are able to receive the balance funds for book expenses.

Apply for Advanced Opportunity Grant

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