The Financial Aid section provides advisors with an accessible overview of core financial aid processes and tools. It includes guidance on navigating the FAFSA Application Portal, understanding aid types like scholarships, grants, and loans, and verifying whether students have completed requirements such as Entrance Counseling (LEC) and the Master Promissory Note (MPN). Advisors can also review Parent PLUS loan procedures and gain quick-reference knowledge of key federal portals—including COD, NSLDS, and the FAFSA portal—so they can address common issues, interpret aid data, and support students before escalating to the Financial Aid office. 

Note: Use the Frequently Asked Questions page on the UMB website to find quick answers to common student questions. 

The FSA COD Portal is one of the primary tools the One Stop Office uses to assist students with financial aid inquiries. Service Advisors use this system to verify loan origination, disbursement status, Master Promissory Notes (MPNs), and the completion of Entrance Counseling. This portal is essential for identifying common issues, confirming student records, and resolving discrepancies before escalating cases to the Financial Aid Office.

You can use the accompanying video in this section to review how to navigate the FSA Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Portal, locate key student information, and practice the steps needed to help students with financial aid questions. Make sure to watch and review the FAFSA Portals video, accessible on the Additional Resources page.