Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance Mission

Providing students with opportunities

It is recognized that the costs of higher education are a significant addition to a family’s budget. The mission of the Financial Assistance Office is to provide opportunities for students choosing to pursue a course of study at Francis Marion University.

This is accomplished through:

  1. Providing information services to prospective students and the community;
  2. Assisting students in the financial assistance application process;
  3. Determining eligibility for assistance and making financial assistance awards;
  4. Facilitating the timely delivery of financial assistance proceeds.

Current Students

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FORMS

Only complete these forms if the Financial Assistance Office requests them.

Types of Aid

LOANS

There are a number of different types of loans available to students. Two terms to be aware of are subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized loans are need-based while unsubsidized loans are not.

In addition, the subsidized loan does not begin accruing interest until six months after students stop attending college, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest as soon as the loan begins.

LEARN MORE

FEDERAL WORK STUDY

Work study is need-based and allows students to work on-campus and receive federally subsidized pay.

LEARN MORE

GRANTS

Federal and state grants are available to students. Grants include the Pell Grant and SC Need-Based Grant.

LEARN MORE

SUMMER AID

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR SUMMER CLASSES AT FMU BEFORE COMPLETING A SUMMER AID APPLICATION.

Please contact the Office of Financial Assistance if you need aid to attend summer school.

DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY OUR OFFICE TO DO SO.

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FAFSA

The first step in the financial assistance application process is completion of the FAFSA. Click here to access FAFSA. The FAFSA collects information that will be analyzed for use by Francis Marion University’s Office of Financial Assistance to determine the types of assistance for which you qualify. It is highly recommended that you and your parent(s) apply for a FSA ID before completing your FAFSA. FMU’s Title IV School Code is 009226.

The FAFSA must be completed for every academic year that you want assistance. Each academic year begins in the fall and ends in the summer. For example, the 2022-2023 FAFSA is for the Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023 terms at Francis Marion University. The 23-24 FAFSA opens up on October 1st at FAFSA.gov and will be for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 terms. The FMU priority processing deadline for financial assistance is March 1st of each year.

FAFSA

FAFSA allows you to enter the FAFSA information into the program and transmit the information directly to the U.S. Department of Education. You and your parents will sign the FAFSA with the FSA ID. If you or your parent do not have a FSA ID, save your FAFSA and complete the FSA ID application. Once you and your parents receive your FSA ID, go back into your saved FAFSA and sign with the FSA IDs. Signing with FSA IDs saves 2 – 3 weeks processing time.

Complete your FAFSA

FSA ID

An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) at fafsa.gov.
If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID to sign your child’s FAFSA electronically.

Apply for your FSA ID

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

We are committed to offering a high-quality education and will do everything possible to ensure that you and your family can afford Francis Marion University. As a result, if your family’s financial situation has changed since you filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or your family has circumstances affecting your ability to pay which are not captured on the FAFSA, you may qualify to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated under the following circumstances:

Change in Income

If income reported on the FAFSA is higher than what will be received during the academic year due to a loss or change in employment, divorce or separation, or a death in the family — you may qualify to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated. Please complete and return the 2022-23 Anticipated Income Form.

Change in Marital Status

In the event a parent or student’s marital status changes after completing the FAFSA application-please complete and return the appropriate required documentation:

Student is now:

Married

  • A copy of your marriage certificate
  • A copy of both your and your spouse’s tax return transcript

Divorced

  • A copy of your divorce decree
  • A copy of your tax return transcript
  • All W2 forms

Separated

  • Separation Certification Form (click here to download form)
  • All W2 forms

Widowed

  • A copy of death certificate
  • Tax return transcripts
  • W2 forms

Parent is now:

Married/Remarried

  • A copy of your marriage certificate
  • A copy of both your and your spouse’s tax return transcript

Divorced

  • A copy of your divorce decree
  • A copy of your tax return transcript
  • All W2 forms

Separated

  • Separation Certification Form (click here to download form)
  • All W2 forms

Widowed

  • A copy of death certificate
  • Tax return transcript
  • W2 forms

Scholarships

DONOR SCHOLARSHIPS

IMPORTANT: Students must turn in a scholarship application by March 1, in order to be considered for non-renewable scholarships.

These awards may be from the University or outside sources. Generally, full-time enrollment is required to receive a scholarship. Unless otherwise stated in your initial award letter, scholarships are non-renewable.

Apply here: 2023-24 Scholarship Application

SC SCHOLARSHIPS

Francis Marion takes pride in enrolling more than 1,200 students annually who benefit from South Carolina’s Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and HOPE scholarships. Individual students can work with guidance counselors at their schools to apply for the state grants, but FMU counselors can assist if needed.

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

The minimum criteria for all University Scholarships at FMU includes admittance to the University for upcoming fall semester, a score of 1100 or better on the SAT (CR and Math only) or 24 ACT Composite, and a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students meeting those requirements could qualify for any of the University awards.

Find scholarships

FMU'S NET PRICE CALCULATOR

Net Price Calculator PictureFrancis Marion University’s Net Price Calculator uses the latest available data to provide an estimated cost of attendance to current and prospective students based on what similar students paid in a previous year.

The calculator includes tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and board (meals) and other related expenses, minus estimated grant and scholarship aid. Visit the Net Price Calculator to begin.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Pay your fees and apply your financial assistance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Continuing Financial Assistance

VIEW SAP POLICY

CONTACT US

Communication Flow of Financial Assistance
The work of reviewing applications and counseling students is divided by having certain Financial Assistance Officers responsible for students based on the first letter of the student’s last name. Usually, your questions can be answered by the front counter counselors when you call or visit us. If they cannot answer your question, you can be referred to the Financial Assistance Counselor reviewing your application.

Title IV School Code: 009226
Location: 117 Stokes Administration Building (SAB)
Telephone: 843-661-1190
Fax: 843-661-1195
Email: finasst@fmarion.edu

Mailing Address:
Francis Marion University
Office of Financial Assistance
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502-0547