Based on inquiries by phone and email, below are the top five topics of the week. 

• I see a charge in MyBill; is it because I failed to use the academic participation tool for winter quarter? 
• Beginning on the first day of instruction my.ucdavis.edu will notify students online and through email to participate in keeping UC Davis a fair and honest community. Failure to participate in your classes through the online portal by February 10, 2025, will result in an adjustment to your financial aid that may result in a bill, as it is based on the number of confirmed participating units.
  
  Students who miss the academic participation deadline may appeal by completing a Supplemental Evidence of Academic Activity Appeal (SEVACT) with supporting documentation as to why the deadline was missed.  
• My parent applied for the Parent PLUS Loan and it has been more than 5-7 business days; why are the requirements not displayed as satisfied and the loan funds not yet issued to MyBill?

• Please allow 3-5 business days for your MyAwards account to reflect recently submitted requirements as satisfied. If it has been more than five business days, please follow these steps before reaching out:

  Step 1: Check for confirmation emails
  Ensure you have received both of the following confirmations:
  - Approval of the Parent PLUS Loan application
  - Completion of the Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN)

  Step 2: Verify the Parent PLUS Loan application process
  To ensure your Parent PLUS Loan application is processed, confirm the following steps were completed:
  - Parent applied for the PLUS Loan through studentaid.gov.
  - Parent received a credit decision at the end of the application; if approved, a confirmation email was received.
  - After approval, please review if there are any discrepancies on the completed Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN):
            - Selected MPN for Parent of a Dependent Student
            - The borrower used their information instead of the student's to submit the MPN
            - Social security and date of birth match

  Step 3: Submit Supporting Documents (if needed)
  If your parent was approved and the PLUS MPN was completed without any discrepancies, but the requirement is still unsatisfied after five business days, submit the following via Contact An Expert:
  - A copy of the Parent PLUS Loan approval confirmation email from studentaid.gov.
  - A copy of the completed Parent PLUS MPN (PDF file)

  If additional information is needed, we will contact you via email. 

• When will your office receive FAFSA files for the 2025-26 school year?
• Our office will begin receiving FAFSA applications in early February. Follow these steps to ensure we have your application:
  
  1. Double-check your answers on the application, particularly in the financial and family sections. Look for possible mistakes, such as entering incorrect numbers or issues with your tax documents. If you find any errors, update your application, and a new SAI will be sent to UC Davis.
  
  2. Ensure you received a confirmation email after completing the FAFSA application with the valid UC Davis school code: 001313.
  
  3. Once we receive FAFSA transactions, we will review eligibility for financial aid before creating financial aid packages. Prospective students will be notified if admitted to the university while continuing students will receive their financial offers throughout the summer.

• How will disbursement work if I take out a federal loan this quarter?

• Once you complete all loan requirements successfully, it typically takes 7-10 business days and your fall quarter disbursement will be combined with your winter disbursement. If the loan brings your account balance below zero, or if it is currently zero, you will receive a refund. Refunds are issued either as a check or via direct deposit if you have set it up in advance.
• I’m considering different types of housing for next year. What can I expect to receive for financial aid?
• Financial aid packages for continuing students will be available starting in the summer, so we are unable to provide an exact amount of your aid for the next academic year at this time. 
  
  If you choose to live off-campus, please note that housing is less expensive than on-campus housing, so your budget (and consequently, your financial aid) would be adjusted to reflect the lower housing cost. 
  
  For example, switching from an on-campus apartment (approx. $46,872) to an off-campus apartment (approx. $40,394) results in a $6,478 reduction in your overall budget, leading to a corresponding decrease in your grants and loans.
  
  For a breakdown of the differences between on-campus and off-campus housing for the current academic year, please visit the Cost of Attendance for your cohort. 

For answers to common questions, Ask Gunrock! Our virtual assistant is available 24/7 to answer your general financial aid and scholarship questions. You'll find Gunrock on select web pages, including this one, in the lower right corner.

Here's a quick guide on the types of questions that can be answered 24/7 here online, or when an email, phone call, or visit is recommended.