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:
- Providing information services to prospective students and the community;
- Assisting students in the financial assistance application process;
- Determining eligibility for assistance and making financial assistance awards;
- Facilitating the timely delivery of financial assistance proceeds.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FORMS
Only complete these forms if the Financial Assistance Office requests them.
2022-23 Anticipated Income Form
2022-23 Parental Income Worksheet
2022-23 Dependent Student Income Worksheet
2022-23 Independent Student Income Worksheet
2022-23 Parent Non-Filing Statement
2022-23 Student or Spouse Non-Filing Statement
2022-23 Head of Household Form
2022-23 Dependent Separation Certification form
2023-2024 Dependent Verification Form
2023-2024 Independent Verification Form
2023-24 V4 & V5 Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose
2023-24 X-6 Checklist
2023-24 Anticipated Income Form
2023-24 Student or Spouse Non-Filing Statement
2023-24 Parent Non-Filing Statement
2023-24 Student Income Worksheet
2023-24 Parental Income Worksheet
2023-24 Dependent Student Income Worksheet
2023-24 Independent Student Income Worksheet
2023-24 Dependent Separation Certification form
2023-24 Independent Separation Certification form
2023-24 Head of Household Form
2023-24 Petition -To be completed if student does not meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standard. For more info concerning SAP, refer to the link under “Current Students” above.
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.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY
Work study is need-based and allows students to work on-campus and receive federally subsidized pay.
GRANTS
Federal and state grants are available to students. Grants include the Pell Grant and SC Need-Based Grant.
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.
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 2023-2024 FAFSA is for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms at Francis Marion University. The 24-25 FAFSA opens up in the month of December at FAFSA.gov and will be for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms. For additional information, Click here. 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.
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.
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:
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 2023-24 Anticipated Income Form
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.
FMU'S NET PRICE CALCULATOR
Francis 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.
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
