Use this checklist to help you navigate the financial aid process.

Complete the FAFSA Application

To apply for federal student aid, you must:

• Register for an FSA ID and
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); the form opens October 1 each year.
• Be sure to submit by the FAFSA priority deadline each year.

Check Your To Do List

Some students may need to submit additional documents or complete additional tasks. You can find this information on your to-do list in myZou. Mizzou cannot offer and/or pay out financial aid until you’ve completed the to do list tasks.

1. Log in to myZou: Use your credentials to log in to the myZou portal.
2. Navigate to the Notification Tile: Look for the Notification tile on your dashboard.
3. Check Your To Do List: Click on the Notification tile to view any tasks or documentation requests.

Review Your Offer Letter

We will begin sending out financial aid offers for first-time freshmen in the spring, and returning students will be notified of their financial aid offer in June.

• Once you’ve received your offer letter, take some time to read through it.
• Visit Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer for help.

Accept or Decline Each Type of Aid Offered

You’ll view, accept and/or decline each item in your financial aid offer in myZou. Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted.

• Go to myZou (this link takes you directly to the Accept/Decline Awards page).
• Select the upcoming year, then select what aid you want to accept, and follow the submission prompts to complete this task.

Borrowing Loans?

If you have accepted federal student loans, and you are a first-time borrower at Mizzou:

• Complete your Entrance Counseling: This is an online session that helps you understand your responsibilities and rights as a borrower.          
• e-sign your Master Promissory Note: This is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loans and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education.    

Even if you’ve already accepted your loans in myZou, these steps must be completed for your federal student loans to be disbursed. These tasks will be located on your to do list in myZou.

Other loan options that can be used to cover the cost of your education.

• Federal Parent PLUS Loan:
  • Purpose: This loan is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
  • Eligibility: Parents must have a good credit history and the student must be enrolled at least half-time.
  • Repayment: Repayment typically begins after the loan is fully disbursed, but deferment options are available.
• Private Loans:
  • Purpose: These loans are offered by private lenders and can be used to cover education costs not met by federal aid.
  • Eligibility: Terms and eligibility criteria vary by lender, and a credit check is usually required.
  • Repayment: Repayment terms vary, and interest rates can be fixed or variable.