Up & Down Financial Aid: Start Planning Now for the Spring 2026 Semester

As the fall semester winds down, now is the perfect time to get all your financial aid plans in order for spring. Whether you’re a first-year student or heading into your final semester, reviewing your financial aid and out-of-pocket expenses early can help you avoid last-minute stress, delayed refunds, or student account holds. Follow these steps to make sure you’re set up for a smooth start to the spring 2026 semester.

Step 1: Check Your FAFSA Status

If you haven’t already completed your 2025–2026 FAFSA, do that as soon as possible—you may be eligible for federal financial aid for both the fall 2025 semester and the upcoming spring 2026 semester.

• Verify that you completed the 2025-2026 FAFSA, not the 2026-2027 FAFSA (though you’ll need that one for the following academic year!)
  • FAFSA® Application
• Verify that your FAFSA was processed and not rejected
  • You should have received a confirmation email. If you didn’t receive one, login again to make sure it was submitted successfully.
• Make sure GBC’s school code (001429) was listed so we receive your FAFSA.
• If you were selected for verification, please submit all requested documents through the Financial Aid Portal to avoid delays.

Step 2: Review Your Fall 2025 Account Balance

Login to Campus Web and navigate to the Finances Tab to check your current balance.

• Make sure all fall charges (including tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan) are paid in full or will be paid by the final fall payment due date (November 15^th)—unpaid balances will prevent your access to spring registration or the droppage of previously registered spring courses
• If you see unexpected charges or would like an explanation for your account balance, contact the Business Office ([email protected]) to clear things up.

Step 3: Confirm Your Spring Enrollment

Your tuition charges and financial aid eligibility are both based on your enrollment status.

• If you plan to take fewer or more credits than you did in the fall semester, your tuition charges and financial aid will likely be different – check with the Financial Aid Office to see how this affects you.
• Full-time status (12+ credits) is required for most financial aid awards – if you registered for less than 12 credits, contact the Financial Aid Office to see how this impacts your award eligibility.

Tip: Finalize your spring schedule before the late registration deadline (December 12^th) to ensure it aligns with your financial aid requirements and degree progress.

Step 4: Review and Accept Your Financial Aid Awards

Log into the financial aid portal and confirm:

• Your loan(s) (if desired) and athletic scholarship(s) are accepted for spring.
• You’ve completed all loan requirements (Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note).
• If any of your awards are missing or incorrect, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Step 5: Set Up or Adjust Your Payment Plan

If you owe a remaining balance after all financial aid is applied, you can pay your balance in full (due January 15^th) or set up a 4-month payment plan.

• Enroll early in a payment plan so you have ample time to budget accordingly.
• Avoid late payment fees by setting reminders or reading emails you receive from the Business Office.

Tip: If enrolled in an annual plan, check to see if your monthly payments have adjusted – annual plans were set up based on your anticipated spring enrollment, which may differ from your actual spring enrollment.

Step 6: Check Your Refund or Credit Balance

If your financial aid exceeds your charges, you may be eligible to receive a refund.

• Monitor your email to see when your refund check is ready for pickup – spring refund checks are typically available in mid to late February.
• Remember: refunds can only be used for education-related expenses (books, transportation, supplies—not shopping sprees!).
• If you would rather keep your credit balance on your account for future charges, please complete the Federal Aid Authorization Form.
  • If you opt to complete the form, please know that you can request any amount of these funds to be refunded to you at any time.

Step 7: Apply for External Scholarships

Spring is a great time to look for mid-year external scholarships.

• Browse the “Additional Scholarships” section of our scholarship website to search for and apply for external scholarships.
• Scholarships and grants do not require repayment, so the more the merrier!

Step 8: Plan Ahead for Summer and Next Year

Once your spring aid is squared away, think ahead.

• If you’re planning to take summer courses, confirm your summer financial aid eligibility with the Financial Aid Office.
• Keep your GPA and completion rate on track—academic progress affects future aid.
• Complete your 2026-2027 FAFSA to determine your federal financial aid eligibility for next year
  • You may want to adjust your spring 2026 and summer 2026 schedules depending on your financial aid awards for next year.