Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Campus will close on December 18 for the holidays and will reopen on January 2.

Applying for Aid and FAFSA

Let's get the financial aid process started.

Applying for financial aid doesn't have to be rocket science.

Many students are unable to meet the cost of a University of the Cumberlands education with their current financial resources alone, so they need some financial aid to help make ends meet. If that situation sounds like yours, now is a good time to apply for that aid. Financial aid is awarded to students based on their demonstrated financial need. The higher the need, the more aid you're likely to qualify for.

The first step in this process is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete this form as soon as possible when FAFSA fully opens in December, and make sure you use Cumberlands' FAFSA School Code: 001962. This application is for the upcoming academic year, which starts the following fall.

Some types of financial aid are on a first-come, first-served basis and may run out before all eligible students are funded. While no date guarantees the availability of funds, the sooner you file the FAFSA, the better your chances of receiving all the aid for which you qualify!

How to Apply for the FAFSA

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FAFSA - This Code Will Get You Places

Complete the FAFSA

The FAFSA opens fully in December this year and will be used to determine financial aid for the 2025 academic year. Use our school code 001962 when applying. For students enrolling in fall 2025, you will use information for the 2023 tax year. 
While no date guarantees the availability of funds, the sooner you file the FAFSA, the better your chances are of receiving all the aid you may qualify for.

Call the admissions office at 606.539.4240 if you have questions or need assistance. 

FAFSA Guide 

  1. Get an FSA ID: You will need to get an Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID before you can even start the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure to check your ID well in advance of completing your FAFSA application. The student and a parent should create an FSA ID and password.
  2. Apply ASAP: As soon as the application process opens, you need to apply. A lot of financial aid is first come, first served. So apply early and get as much money as you're eligible for. You will be asked to enter personal, family information that is needed to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and in some cases, institutional financial aid. If there are circumstances preventing you from getting parental information, please reach out to your Enrollment Counselor for guidance. If your financial situation has changed drastically from one year to the next, make sure to reach out to the financialaid [at] ucumberlands.edu (financial aid office) and ask about completing a special circumstances application. 
  3. Apply even if you don't think you'll get aid: The FAFSA is free so it doesn't hurt to apply. The eligibility requirements are different now, so you don't know what kind of aid you may be eligible for. 
  4. Complete the FAFSA every year: As long as you plan to stay enrolled in college, you need to complete the FAFSA. Make sure to complete and submit the application every year. 
  5. Be on the Lookout: After you submit your FAFSA, you should receive an email confirmation in about 2-3 days. If you do not receive this confirmation, please log back in and ensure that your FAFSA was submitted. Cumberlands will also arrange to send your financial aid offer package. If we need any additional information, we will let you know. 

Any university or college you add to the list will receive your information and will use this information to create a financial aid award offer for you. Make sure to include our school code 001962 so University of the Cumberlands is on your list! 

The Cumberlands Commitment Fund

While we cannot control the information the federal government provides to us in a timely manner, we can control how affordable college will be for you here at Cumberlands. As part of the Cumberlands Commitment, on-campus undergraduate students, in good academic standing, will pay no more than $2,000 per semester, on average, out of pocket.  

We expect many of our students to pay even less than $2,000 per semester given their eligibility to receive greater amounts of grant and scholarship support. Students looking to reduce the cost of college even further have options as well. Eligible students can find work through our student employment office, secure a position as a resident assistant or use federal loan programs to fully cover costs.  

If you haven’t already done so, please finalize your 2025-2026 FAFSA as soon as possible. Your FAFSA application must be complete before any part of this new initiative can be granted to you.  

FAFSA FAQ

This new program will offer on-campus undergraduate students a combination of scholarship funds and forgivable, zero-interest loans. Our goal with the program is to decrease total out-of-pocket costs with students paying, on average, no more than $2,000 per semester to attend Cumberlands. 

  • Students must complete the FAFSA as soon as the filing window opens in December 
  • Cumberlands will issue financial aid packages to students based on FAFSA information 
  • Students will continue to contribute state and federal financial aid to the cost of their education 
  • Students that have more than $2,000 per semester ($4,000 per year) out-of-pocket will automatically be offered the Cumberlands Commitment program as part of their financial aid package 
  • Enrolled students that maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will remain in the program and have applicable institutional loans forgiven each semester 
  • Students must complete the FAFSA each year to maintain eligibility 

All students, incoming and current, should complete the FAFSA as soon as the application cycle opens. The application period is scheduled to fully open in December 2024 for this cycle. For students enrolling in Fall 2025, you will use taxes from the 2023 tax year. 

Yes. A completed FAFSA and the associated release of information from the Department of Education to our university directly impacts your scholarship and financial aid availability. Some federal and state issued financial aid and grants can run out of funding, so students who complete the FAFSA earlier in the process are offered financial aid first. Submitting the FAFSA is the only way to get federal financial aid, including Pell grants, work-study programs and federal student loans.

The FAFSA process and backend systems are undergoing major updates to better support students and families. These changes implement provisions of the amended FUTURE Act and the FAFSA Simplification Act. 
Benefits of the FAFSA changes include: 

  • a more streamlined application process,
  • expanded eligibility for federal student aid, and
  • a new user experience for the FAFSA form.

You can find more information about the FAFSA at: www.studentaid.gov

How to Apply

No matter what degree you're seeking, we have options to help meet your financial needs.

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Undergraduate Students
Graduates are ready for commencement to begin.

Graduate Students
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Military Students
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Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about the financial aid process, our financial aid experts would be happy to help.

Take the Next Step