Frequently Asked Questions about Student Financial Aid

A: Your first point of contact is Marquette Central in person, by phone or email. You can always contact Marquette Central through this Contact Form.

Marquette Central
1250 W Wisconsin Ave
PO Box 1881, Zilber Hall, Suite 121
Milwaukee WI 53201
Phone:  (414) 288-4000
Fax:  (414) 288-1718
Email:  marquettecentral@marquette.edu

A: FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Visit the U.S. Department of Education FERPA webpage for more information about FERPA, or visit Marquette University’s FERPA webpage.

To meet FERPA requirements and protect your privacy, the following is required to communicate with us about your information:

• Student Marquette Central visits: require your Marquette I.D. card.
• Email: We must email your Marquette email account when student-specific information is being provided.  If you email a question from another email account, our response will be sent to your Marquette email account unless we are only providing general (not student-specific) information.
• Phone calls: require your Marquette I.D. number and your MCAN.

A: To comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students and their families must be able to verify their identity when contacting Marquette Central for assistance.

The Marquette Central Access Number (MCAN) is a four-digit number used in conjunction with the nine-digit Marquette ID number to help Marquette staff identify people authorized to receive information regarding a student’s account. (The MCAN is NOT associated with the online Guest Access process.)

• Students can find the MCAN from the Profile tile on the CheckMarq Student Home.
• A student may grant authorization for others to receive financial aid, student account, or student record information (excluding grades and schedules) by providing the MCAN and the MUID.
• The MCAN can be changed by the student in CheckMarq at any time.
• Students should be careful when disclosing their MCAN and/or MUID numbers to help protect personal information about their finances and academic records.

A: The FSA ID is comprised of a username and password and is the way you log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites, including the FAFSA.

• Each FSA ID requires a unique email address. You may not use the same email address for multiple FSA ID accounts.
• The security of your FSA ID is important. The FSA ID can be used to electronically sign FSA documents, access personal records, and make binding legal obligations.
• If you are a parent and need to electronically sign your child's FAFSA, you need your own FSA ID. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign their applications.

A: Your StudentAid.gov account password does not expire. You will only be prompted to change your password if your account is locked or because of a security event.
Student Aid Help Center

A: Federal Student Aid login pages give the option to retrieve your username or password through your verified email address or by successfully answering your challenge questions.

A: If your account is locked, you’ll need to use your verified mobile phone or email, authenticator app, or challenge questions to unlock it. Your account is locked after three unsuccessful log-in attempts.

1. Select the link in the error message to unlock your account (attempting to log in to your account will trigger this). You’ll be redirected to a screen that says “Unlock Your FSA ID."
2. Select a method to get a secure code sent to your verified mobile phone or email. If you didn’t verify your email or mobile phone number or you haven’t set up an authenticator app, you can answer your challenge questions.
3. Provide the month and day of your birth and select “Continue.”
4. After entering the secure code or answering some of your challenge questions, you’ll be prompted to create a new password.

Student Aid Help Center

A: If your FSA ID is lost or stolen, you must contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID, (800) 433-3243 and then update your username and password by selecting “Edit My FSA ID."

A: It is important to keep your information up to date. To notify Federal Student Aid of a change to your personal information, go to the FSA ID home page and log in, from the drop-down menu next to your name select Settings. After you make changes to your name or date of birth, Federal Student Aid will verify your information with the Social Security Administration. After this information is verified (1-3 days), you will be able to use your FSA ID to access your personal information on FSA websites.

A: The Net Price Calculator (NPC) is an early estimation tool for determining a prospective student’s possible financial aid eligibility from a particular school. It is not a guaranteed offer. All schools are required by the federal government to have an online NPC.

A: File the appropriate Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to each academic year by applying online at studentaid.gov/fafsa.

• Create a username and password if you have never filed the FAFSA or don't have an FSA ID using the Federal Student Aid ID website.
• If parent information is required on the FAFSA, both student and parent must obtain an FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA. The parent must use a separate email address than the student.   
• Once you have your FSA ID(s), retain them in a secure place.

A: For the 2024-25 FAFSA, report income information from your 2022 Federal Income Taxes.

For the 2025-26 FAFSA, report income information from your 2023 Federal Income Taxes.

A: No. Some schools require the CSS Profile or an institutional application, but Marquette University only requires the processed FAFSA to determine eligibility for financial aid. 

• If there are questions about the information reported on the processed FAFSA, there may be a request for additional information. This request will be emailed to the student's Marquette Email account and posted on their CheckMarq "To-Do List." This information must be supplied before a financial aid offer can be made.

A: The priority deadline for filing a FAFSA is February 1^st. We would recommend having the FAFSA submitted by January 15^th to ensure it is received and processed by this date.

A: It is possible to apply for aid anytime during the academic year. However, it is best to apply as early as possible.  

• For the summer session, continuing students must file the FAFSA by June 30.
• It is a federal regulation that we cannot offer financial aid after a term has ended so even if you have all your forms in before the end of the term, we may not have enough time to process your information and provide an aid offer before the last day of classes. The same is true for summer. We cannot offer you financial aid after the end of the semester or session.

A: Yes. Students applying for financial aid must complete the FAFSA prior to each new academic year.

• The 2024-25 FAFSA has been available as of December 31st, 2023. 
• The 2025-2026 will be available on December 1^st, 2024.

A: For the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form, an independent student is one of the following:

• born before Jan. 1, 2002
• married (and not separated)
• a graduate or professional student
• a veteran
• a member of the U.S. armed forces
• an orphan
• a ward of the court
• a current or former foster youth
• in a legal guardianship (now or in the past)
• someone with legal dependents other than a spouse
• an emancipated minor
• unaccompanied and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Your dependency status determines whose information you must report when you fill out the FAFSA form:

• If you’re a dependent student, you’ll report your and your parents’ information.
• If you’re an independent student, you’ll report your own information (and, if you’re married, your spouse’s).

Find out who needs to provide parent information on the FAFSA form, and learn what to do if you aren’t in contact with your parents.

Student Aid Help Center

A: Make sure you have provided the necessary FSA ID(s) for you and a parent and submit the FAFSA to the processor. Once you submit the FAFSA:

• You will immediately receive an email confirmation from the Federal Processor. This means the FAFSA has been received by the processor. This does not mean that your FAFSA has been received and processed by Marquette University.
• You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) at the email address supplied on your FAFSA in approximately 7-10 days. Read through the entire SAR, paying close attention to any rejects and/or issues listed in the “What You Must Do Now” section.
• If there are no rejects or issues with your FAFSA, Marquette will receive the results automatically, usually within 3 to 5 business days.
• If there are issues with your FAFSA, you will need to correct them before it can be processed and received by Marquette. The Federal Processor’s phone number is: (800) 4-FEDAID, (800) 433-3243 if you have any questions.

A: You will only be able to make corrections to your FAFSA once it has been initially processed. Once your FAFSA has been processed you can review the steps for making corrections online here.

A: Students are notified through their Marquette Email account of any required documentation and deadlines. Students can also view their "To Do list" on CheckMarq. From the CheckMarq Student Home, access the Tasks tile for any documents that are required.

• Continuing students must submit requested documents within 30 days of the initial document request to be considered for all available financial aid.
• Aid may be reduced or eliminated if requested documents are received beyond the 30 days. 

A: The fastest and most secure way to submit documents is through Document Upload in CheckMarq, found under the Financial Aid tile.  Documents can also be dropped off in Marquette Central, Zilber Hall suite 121, or mailed to:

Marquette University
Office of Student Financial Aid
PO Box 1881
Milwaukee WI 53201

• Make sure to include student's name and MUID on all documents.
• Documents that require a notary or original email must be mailed or dropped off at Marquette Central.

Important: E-mail is an inherently insecure communication medium. It is very important that sensitive information not be sent in e-mails, either in the e-mail subject/body or as an unsecured attachment. If email is the only way you can send us documents, please do so securely, using these instructions.

A: Special and unusual circumstance appeals may include, but are not limited to, parent job loss; high out of pocket medical expenses; private elementary or secondary tuition for sibling; marital separation after the FAFSA was filed; or death of a parent.

Purchase of a second home and medical expenses covered by insurance are not considered special and unusual circumstances.

Contact Marquette Central to discuss your special and unusual circumstance after you receive your initial Financial Aid Notification (FAN) via Marquette Email.

All special and unusual circumstance requests are required to go through verification prior to the special and unusual circumstance review.

A: As a part of the name change process, you will need to apply for a new Social Security card and driver's license with your new name. Once you have received your new documentation, do the following:

1. File a Legal Name Change form with the Office of the Registrar.
2. Update your FSA ID.
3. If you have not filed your FAFSA or signed your federal loan electronic Master Promissory Note(s) (MPNs) for the current aid year, or are filing the FAFSA for the upcoming financial aid year, you will need to file under the new name after you have edited your FSA ID.

A: Verification is the federal process of verifying or confirming the information provided on the FAFSA is accurate. The Student Aid Report (SAR) you receive after your FAFSA is processed will indicate if your FAFSA has been selected for verification. Roughly 30% of all FAFSAs filed are selected for verification. Marquette University is required to collect documentation to verify what has been reported on the FAFSA. The Office of Student Financial Aid will notify you of what documentation to submit to us.

A: Verification is a process by which schools are required by federal law to collect documentation to verify the information reported on the FAFSA. Schools complete this process by requesting a variety of documents such as Federal IRS Tax Return Transcripts, verification worksheet, birth certificate, social security card, U.S. passport, etc.

Students are notified through their Marquette Email account of any documents they are required to submit. You can also view your CheckMarq “To Do list" for any required verification documents.

Be sure to comply with all requests for documentation by the deadlines provided. Financial aid is offered on a first-come first-served basis. To be considered for all available financial aid, continuing students must submit requested documents within 30 day of the initial document request. Aid may be reduced and/or eliminated for applicants whose documents are received beyond the 30 days.

A: It typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete verification, after all completed documentation is received.

A: The tax return information that is being transferred into the FAFSA form when you use the Direct Data Exchange is coming directly from the tax return you filed with the IRS. Marquette University will have access to the transferred information, we will follow up with you directly if we notice any issues or need additional information. The tax year transferred is based on the FAFSA filed, the 2024-25 FAFSA uses the 2022 tax information and the 2025-26 FAFSA will use 2023 tax information.

A: No. Information you transfer via the IRS Data Retrieval Tool cannot be changed. Remember, the information transferred is coming from the federal tax return and should not need to be changed. Amended tax information will transfer from the IRS if you filed a 1040X and it was processed prior to filing the FAFSA. If your financial situation has changed contact Marquette Central to discuss a possible Special and Unusual Circumstance appeal.

A: All FAFSA contributors, even those who do not file taxes, should give consent to use the Direct Data Exchange (DDX). In situations where the DDX cannot retrieve tax information: submit a Tax Return Transcript ordered from the IRS, or submit a signed copy of their IRS form 1040 with applicable schedules. 

• A tax return transcript can be ordered, free of charge, from the IRS online, by phone, or a paper request form. For instructions see tab #9 on the Guidelines for the Verification Process 
• If you are unable to use the other methods submit a signed copy of your IRS form 1040 with applicable schedules. Applicable schedules include 1, 2, and 3 if filed. The 1040 must be signed, even if it was filed electronically. 

For additional information on submitting tax information see Guidelines for the Verification Process.

A: You or your parents will want to submit the following to Marquette Central:

• A copy of IRS Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) filed with the IRS.
• A copy of the unexpired IRS approval of an additional extension beyond the automatic six-month extension deadline, of filing time.
• Signed statement certifying that the individual—
  • Attempted to obtain Verification of Non-Filing letter from the IRS or other tax authorities and was unable to obtain the required documentation; and
  • Has not filed a Federal IRS Income Tax Return

• A copy of IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income and/or a signed statement of from self-employed individual certifying the amount of the AGI and the U.S. Income Tax Paid for tax year.

Our office will need tax data after final 2022 Federal Taxes have been filed.  For more details visit: Filed a 2022 Federal IRS Tax Extension for the 2024-25 FAFSA.

A: If you filed a 1040X and it was processed before you submit the 2024-25 FAFSA your amended information will be included on the 2024-25 FAFSA.  

If your 1040X is submitted or processed after you filed the 2024-25 FAFSA, submit the following: 

• Signed copy of the original Federal IRS Tax Return with all applicable schedules; *and*
• Signed copy of IRS Form 1040X, "Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return."

Or if you did not amend your IRS tax returns but are being asked to submit an amended return to our office:

• Signed copy of Federal IRS Tax Return with all applicable schedules; *and*
• Signed copy of Federal IRS Tax Account Transcript; *and*
• Signed statement that you did not amend your Federal IRS Income Tax Return

See tab #8 on the Guidelines for the Verification Process page for more details.

Keep in mind that an amended return will delay access to tax information. It takes an additional 12 weeks for the tax information to be available.

A: Tax filers who believe they are victims of identity theft may call Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU)’s toll-free number, (800) 908-4490, or go to the ID theft website on irs.gov.  After the IPSU authenticates the tax filer’s identity, the tax filer can request that the IRS mail to the tax filer an alternate paper tax transcript, known as the TRDBV (Transcript Data Base View). After receiving the TRDBV the following needs to be submitted to our office:

• A signed copy of the IRS alternate paper tax transcript (TRDBV)
• A signed and dated statement regarding the identity theft and attesting the filer notified the IRS about the theft.

Keep in mind that identity theft will delay access to tax information. Access to this information generally occurs 8-11 weeks after the IRS has received the tax return information; however, resolution of IRS-related identity theft can take up to 180 days.

A: If you provided consent for the Direct Data Exchange (DDX) on the 2025-26 FAFSA, and would not have filed taxes in Puerto Rico any other country, you are no longer required to submit an IRS letter of non-filing. For the Verification process: on the verification worksheet check the appropriate box that you did not file taxes and submit all 2023 W-2s and/or wage statements. 

 If you are a non-Tax filer who would file taxes in Puerto Rico or a foreign country: submit appropriate non-filing documentation from a relevant tax authority with all 2023 wage and/or income statements. 

A: Sometimes, when reviewing documents submitted, the Office of Student Financial Aid needs clarification of the information submitted, additional information, there is conflicting information between the FAFSA information and the verification documents, or there is conflicting information between FAFSAs filed. If one or more of these occurs the Office of Student Financial Aid asks for additional information through a Supplemental Information Request Form.

Most Supplemental Information Request Forms are sent though DocuSign and will be completed and signed digitally. Depending on the information needed, the document will be sent to the student’s Marquette Email account and/or the parent email from the FAFSA to be completed and signed. You may receive more than one email, depending on how much information we need, you must review and complete all requests. If a DocuSign email was lost contact Marquette Central to have it resent.

In some situations, we will mail a paper copy of the Supplemental Information Request Form to you. You will know the paper form was sent when you see the Supplemental Information Request Form on your To Do List. If you did not receive the original Supplemental Information Request, or need a duplicate, contact Marquette Central and the PDF will be sent to your Marquette Email account.

A:  If a student is a recipient of the Evans, Urban, or Burke Scholarships and their FAFSA was selected for verification, the process must be completed prior to determine the student’s financial need before we can accurately offer the scholarship.

A: Follow these important steps:

• File the FAFSA as soon as you can.
• New/Prospective students must complete the admissions process and receive notice of admission.
• Submit any requested documentation per the instructions provided.
• Receive an email notice of your financial aid offer at your Marquette Email account.
• Accept and/or decline aid offered to you. Grants and scholarships have been accepted for you. Optional parent/student loans will require a separate application or form.
• Use your Marquette Email account and CheckMarq “To Do List" to monitor what needs to be done.
• Complete any outstanding Loan Entrance Counseling and/or electronic Master Promissory Notes (MPN) upon notification.
• Make sure you are fully enrolled.   
• Semester disbursement of financial aid will apply to your account no earlier than 10 days prior to the first day of classes for the term/session.
• If financial aid exceeds student account charges, a refund will be issued to you. Set up Direct Deposit to have your refund sent directly to your bank account.

A: Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for federal loans. This means Undergraduate, Law, Dental and PA/PT students must enroll for a minimum of six credits, while all other Graduate students must enroll for a minimum of four. However, enrollment requirements may vary depending on the financial aid type you receive. To review the requirements, visit:

• Undergraduate Loans and Graduate/Professional Loans
• Undergraduate Grants
• Undergraduate Scholarships

A: Following are approximate timelines:

• Prospective Undergraduates: offers will start being available mid-March and will continue on a rolling basis contingent on the FAFSA receipt date. Prospective students must be admitted before a financial aid offer will be created.
• Continuing Undergraduate, Law and Graduate Students: mid-April and offer  are created on a rolling basis contingent on the FAFSA receipt date.
  • If documentation is required, documents must be submitted to our office within 30 days of the initial request. Documents must be submitted and processed before you will receive a financial aid offer.
  • When we begin processing the information you have provided, we may have additional questions and will contact you through your Marquette Email account, or postal mail.

• Dental, Graduate Dental: late-April and continues on a rolling basis contingent on the FAFSA receipt date.
  • If documentation is required, documents must be submitted to our office within 30 days of the initial request.  Documents must be received before you will receive a financial aid offer.
  • When we begin processing the information you have provided, we may have additional questions and will contact you through your Marquette Email account, or postal mail.

A: All students who complete the FAFSA will be considered for the following assistance. More information can be found in the Financial Aid Guide:

• Gift Assistance, is financial aid that does not have to be repaid:
  • Marquette Scholarships - are determined by your MU Admissions Application, are based upon merit and are offered by Marquette’s Office of Admissions.
  • Federal and State Grants - are offered based upon the FAFSA by Marquette’s Student Financial Aid Office and are offered according to need.

• Self-Help, is financial aid that is earned or must be repaid:
  • Employment- must be earned. Includes need-based (Federal Work Study) and non-need-based employment (Marquette Student Employment).
  • Loan assistance- must be repaid. Includes need-based and non-need-based loans.

A: Aid from your other school will not transfer to Marquette University. 

• You must apply for financial aid through Marquette University.  Go to studentaid.gov, click or tap "Login" and follow the prompts. Add Marquette University using school code 003863. 
• Once you are admitted and we have received your processed FAFSA, you will either receive an email notice that your financial aid offer is available or a request for additional information via your Marquette Email account.

A: Contact Marquette Central to discuss reinstatement of aid. Reinstatement depends on enrollment and funding availability at the time of the request. Not all aid can be reinstated.

• Summer is considered part of the current academic year for financial aid purposes. We must have your current academic year processed FAFSA to consider you for summer aid. Eligibility will depend on what aid you have received in the current year and the number of credits you are enrolled in for summer.
• The Office of Student Financial Aid will offer Title IV aid to all eligible students enrolled in summer courses.
• Once you are registered and your FAFSA for summer has been reviewed, you will receive an email notification at your Marquette Email account of the results of our review.
• The Summer Marquette Scholarship Request Form is available to download as of March 1 every year.

A: No. If you are enrolled at more than one college or university at the same time, you may only receive financial aid from one of the institutions, not both. If you have questions about your situation, contact Marquette Central for guidance.

A: It is best to begin looking into your Study Abroad options at least a year prior to studying abroad. 

• Start by going to Marquette's Study Abroad webpage to research the programs offered.
• It can be helpful to attend one of the various study abroad Info Sessions and/or the autumn Study Abroad Fair offered by the Office of International Education.
• Contact the Office of International Education (OIE) and speak with a coordinator about your options:

Holthusen Hall, Fourth Floor
P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881
studyabroad@marquette.edu
For appointments, please call: (414) 288-7289

• In some cases, your aid may not apply to the program you have chosen. Once you have narrowed down your choices, contact Marquette Central to speak with an Adviser. The Adviser will be able to inform you whether your financial aid will apply to the program(s) you are considering.
• Financial aid adjustments for study abroad are made once the Office of Student Financial Aid is notified of students attending programs prior to each semester.  You will receive a revised financial aid offer if your aid is affected by the program you are attending.

A: Most freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus unless living with parents, a guardian, or other family member.

• If you are transitioning from campus housing to an apartment, student account charges will reflect tuition and fees only. 
• Semester aid exceeding these charges will be refunded to you in the form of a check or deposited into your bank account if you have direct deposit. This refund can be used for living expenses such as housing and food, and personal expenses.

A: There are a few things to keep in mind regarding financial aid disbursal:

• Aid disburses no earlier than 10 days before the start of each term.
• Most financial aid will be divided in half and disbursed directly to your student account at the start of the fall and spring terms.
• All required documents must be received and processed before aid disburses to your account.  These may include, but are not limited to, Federal IRS Tax Return Transcripts, verification worksheets, entrance counseling and signed electronic Master Promissory Notes.

Please review the "Top 12 Reasons Why Your Financial Aid Is Not Appearing on Your Bill" to be sure that there are not any outstanding reasons that would prevent your aid from disbursing.

A: To determine why financial aid may not be on your student account bill or is not disbursing to your Student account, please review the "Top 12 Reasons Why Your Financial Aid Is Not Appearing on Your Bill." 

A: Notify Marquette Central that you plan to transfer from Marquette and request to have your financial aid cancelled for the upcoming semester.  You will be sent information on Exit Counseling for all Federal Loans you borrowed either while attending Marquette or any prior colleges or universities.  For more information, see "Leaving Marquette?".

Your financial aid does not automatically transfer to your new school.  Make sure the school you are transferring to is included on your FAFSA.  Contact the new school’s Financial Aid Office to find out if they require any additional information. 

More information can be found on the Withdrawal from Marquette webpage.  

A: We would recommend working with the Office of International Education to learn more about possible financial aid as an International Student. You can find their contact information here: Contact Us // Office of International Education // Marquette University.

A: Students can search for jobs online via JobX which lists on and off-campus jobs for Marquette students. Visit Key steps for finding a job for more information.

A: Federal Work Study (FWS) is a Title IV federal financial aid employment program. It is offered to students based on their demonstrated financial need using information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Marquette Student Employment (MSE) is employment that is not federally funded.

Both programs, FWS & MSE, allow employment opportunities on campus.

A: Work Study is earned by working for eligible employers and earning biweekly wages based on rate of pay and hours worked up to the amount of the offer. These monies do not go directly toward paying a student account balance.

A: Request to have your Federal Work Study accepted for spring only in one of the following ways no later than the second week of fall semester classes:

• Go to your CheckMarq Self-Service Account: select “Request Counselor Action”, include your work study request, and submit.
• Email request from your Marquette email address, including MUID, to Marquette Central at: marquettecentral@marquette.edu   
• Fax a written request, including your MUID, to: (414) 288-1718
• Call Marquette Central at: (414) 288-4000 (be prepared to provide your MUID and MCAN)

A: Due to limited federal funding, we are unable to reinstate Federal Work Study once it has been cancelled.

A: Students are paid every two weeks. Pay dates are listed on the Student Payroll Calendar.

If you expected a paycheck but it was not available, talk to your supervisor immediately. Your paycheck may be delayed until the following pay day if the salary paperwork was submitted late. Students will be paid for all hours worked.

A: Yes. In fact, Marquette University strongly recommends all students sign up for Direct Deposit. To ensure payroll is not delayed, set up Direct Deposit by August 1. You can sign up for Direct Deposit in CheckMarq.

Students signed up for Direct Deposit can view their paychecks online at MyJob (restricted to campus or Marquette VPN (Virtual Private Network)).

Note: Student employees who have not set up Direct Deposit will be required to pick up their biweekly paychecks at the Office of the Bursar, which is part of Marquette Central and is located in Zilber Hall, 1250 W Wisconsin Ave, Suite 121.

DACA/undocumented students are able to work on campus if they are able to complete the Form I-9, verifying their identity and authorization of employment. Student employees can search for part-time/seasonal jobs via JobX.  Our Student Employment website, however, also has important information.

Marquette also offers a Dreamer Resource Page and fellowships like the Inclusive Excellence Grad Fellowship available to undocumented graduate students. Jacki Black (jacqueline.black@marquette.edu) is Director for Hispanic Initiatives and Diversity and Inclusion Educational Programming and is the contact person.

A: It is Marquette’s position that student employees work no more than 20 hours per week during the academic year. During the winter and summer breaks, student employees may work up to 37.5 hours (full-time). Student Employees are not allowed to work overtime.

A: The Optional Loan is there to inform you of the maximum loan amount that either a parent and/or student can request in either a PLUS or Alternative loan. You cannot accept the Optional Loan on CheckMarq because a separate loan application is required for the parent and student loan.

• The optional parent loan is the Federal Parent PLUS Loan, a federal loan borrowed by the parent for their dependent student’s education.  To apply for the Parent PLUS Loan, the parent will apply online at studentaid.gov/plusapp and select “I am a Parent of a Student”.  Visit the Federal Parent PLUS Loan webpage for more details about this loan.
• The optional graduate/professional PLUS loan is a Federal Grad/Professional PLUS Loan, a federal loan available to graduate/professional students. To apply for the Grad PLUS loan, the student will apply online at studentaid.gov/plusapp and select “I am a Graduate or Professional Student”. Visit the Grad/Professional PLUS Loan webpage for more details about this loan.
• The optional student loan is a private alternative loan, a non-federal loan borrowed by the student through a private lending institution.  In most cases the student is required to have a credit-worthy co-signer. Visit the Alternative loan options webpage to review various alternative loan options and apply for a private loan online directly through the lender of your choice.

A: Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling helps students understand their rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower. Federal regulations require students to complete an entrance counseling session prior to obtaining a Federal Direct Student Loan. 

A: You will need to sign separate electronic Master Promissory Notes (MPNs) for Federal Direct Loans and PLUS loan. For undergraduate and graduate Federal Direct Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and Graduate PLUS Loans, visit studentaid.gov/mpn and select your student type or that you are a parent to complete the correct MPN. 

A: A student loan can be decreased or cancelled in one of the following ways:

• Go to your CheckMarq Self-Service Account: select “Request Counselor Action”, provide your loan decrease or cancellation request, and submit.
• Email request from your Marquette email address, including MUID, to Marquette Central at: marquettecentral@marquette.edu   
• Fax a written request, including student’s name and MUID, to: (414) 288-1718
• Call Marquette Central at: (414) 288-4000 (be prepared to provide student’s MUID and MCAN)
• Mail a written request, including student’s name and MUID, to:
  Marquette Central
  PO Box 1881, Zilber Hall, Suite 121
  Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881

A: The request to decrease or cancel a Parent PLUS Loan must be received from the parent borrower in one of the following ways:

• Email your request, including student’s name and MUID, to Marquette Central at: marquettecentral@marquette.edu   
• Fax a written request, including student’s name and MUID, to: (414) 288-1718
• Call Marquette Central at: (414) 288-4000 (be prepared to provide student’s MUID and MCAN)
• Mail a written request, including student’s name and MUID, to:
  Marquette Central
  PO Box 1881, Zilber Hall, Suite 121
  Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881

A: Every student's situation is different. Contact Marquette Central for guidance.

A: The Department of Education sets origination fees (i.e., processing fees) for each loan every year. If the fees for your loan are scheduled to change and you have not completed all the steps to receive your loan, Marquette is required to cancel any loan that has not paid. Loans can be reinstated but will be subject to the new origination fees. Therefore, it is important to complete all the loan steps as quickly as possible. To review the terms of a particular loan, visit the Loans webpage.

A: Begin by searching for scholarships through organizations in your local area (e.g., religious groups, Elks, Rotary Club, Jaycees), high school guidance counselor, public library, and internet scholarship search engines.  Check into whether your parent’s or guardian’s employer provides scholarships to their employees' children for college.

• Visit the Scholarships website to learn about various scholarship opportunities.
• Please include your name and MUID when sending private scholarship checks to:  
  Marquette University
  Marquette Central
  Attn:  Scholarship Assistant
  PO Box 1881
  Milwaukee WI 53201-1881

A: You are required to notify us of additional financial assistance that is not listed on your offer notification. Do not assume that your scholarship/fellowship/assistantship/VA benefit sponsor automatically informs our office of your outside aid.

• If you have remaining need, the scholarship will go towards your unmet need first.
• We may be required to modify your financial aid offer if you are receiving outside aid. If a financial aid adjustment occurs, an email will be sent to your Marquette Email account.

A: Whether you need to sign the private scholarship check depends on the following:

• If the check is made payable to You and Marquette University, then you must endorse the private scholarship check.
• When the check is made payable to Marquette University, your endorsement on the check is not required.

If your signature is required on a scholarship check Marquette Central will send an email to your Marquette Email account asking you to stop by the office to endorse the check.

A: Marquette must honor the donor’s specifications when indicated.

• If the scholarship donor has specified how the scholarship is to be applied, Marquette must apply it accordingly.
• If the donor has not specified how the scholarship is to be applied, it is automatically split evenly between the fall and spring semesters.

A: Private scholarship checks are processed daily. During the very busy months of January and August, please allow more time for processing due to of the volume of checks received.  You can view updates to your financial aid offer and your student account through CheckMarq.

A: It depends. Students who apply for financial aid may receive additional financial assistance. A Financial Aid Notification (FAN) will be sent electronically to all students via their Marquette Email account and will detail the financial assistance available.

A: This scholarship is renewable for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study provided the recipient remains in good academic standing with his/her respective college and is enrolled as a full-time student.

A: No. Marquette scholarships are offered on a per-semester basis. You are not able to receive two semesters of scholarship eligibility at one time.

A: You are not able to use a Marquette undergraduate scholarship when you are enrolled as a graduate or professional student. You may be eligible for new scholarships as a graduate/professional student. Please contact your college for these opportunities.

A: Yes, students may utilize their Père Marquette Scholarship during the summer term. However, we caution students to think carefully before making this choice as the scholarship will be prorated and this will count as one of their 8 semesters of eligibility. Students will not be allowed to have their prorated scholarship reversed nor will they be eligible to use the unused portion of their scholarship later. Additional information is available on the Summer Financial Aid page.

A: If you are withdrawing after the close of the add/drop period, you will continue to receive your full scholarship and financial aid for the current semester. If you are enrolled full-time the following semester, you will continue to receive your scholarship(s) and financial aid.

However, a component of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requires undergraduate students to complete 67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted to remain in good standing and remain eligible for financial aid. This applies to all students who receive institutional, state and Federal Title IV and Title VII funds administered by the university.

A: In summer, students are charged a lesser tuition rate and may receive a prorated Père Marquette, All-In Marquette College Completion Scholarship, College Competition or Dean’s Scholarship. This means, the scholarship is adjusted to a lower amount based on the lower tuition rate and number of credits enrolled in. Students should not expect to receive the same amount as they normally receive as a full-time student during the regular academic year. Likewise, if a senior is taking less than 12 credits in their final semester at Marquette, they also may receive a prorated scholarship based on the lower tuition rate. Adjusted scholarships are based on the percentage of their scholarship to tuition in that academic year.

A: If you have questions about how to complete your taxes, you should consult your tax professional or refer to the IRS. Marquette University cannot provide tax advice. The IRS can be contacted below:

• IRS Website
• IRS Telephone Assistance Hotline: (800) 829-1040

A: Yes. Any money received as the result of work (i.e., Work Study, temporary employment on or off campus, some fellowships, etc.) is considered taxable income. You will be asked to file an Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (W-4 Form) and you will receive a Wage and Tax Statement (W-2 Form) each calendar year. Your taxable earnings from Federal Work Study and work under a Cooperative Education Program (Co-Op) must be reported on your FAFSA.

A: Visit the IRS website to see Who Must File or use their interactive Do I Need to File a Tax Return? Interactive tool.