U Central, everything you need from A-Z

_{Enrollment Generalist Esmeralda Martinez hands a form to physician assistant graduate student Sandy Garcia at U Central last Wednesday on the Brownsville campus. AURA VELASQUEZ/THE RIDER}

UTRGV Survival Guide: Third in a Series

U Central is a one-stop shop for most issues or questions students may have regarding registration, FAFSA, tuition and other topics pertaining to their school account.

Students may use U Central’s call center or live online chat in addition to visiting the department’s offices on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.

“The idea behind the structure of our department is that you come to us,” said Vanessa Maldonado, director of Student Services.

“You can ask all of those questions versus needing to speak to one person,” Maldonado said. “ … Our staff is cross-trained to know pretty much a little bit of every area just to make it [a] more efficient and easier process for students.”

Maldonado said that if a student has a complex issue that requires more detailed information, U Central will contact the appropriate department, but the staff is trained to handle and answer all questions.

The Free Application for Student Aid opened at the beginning of this month, with the priority deadline being Jan. 15.

U Central has staff that can help students with the FAFSA and Texas Application for State Financial Aid process.

*_{Students can get help regarding financial aid, registration, admissions and paying tuition and fees at U Central. The department is located in the Student Services Building on the Edinburg campus.}* _{AURORA ACEVEDO/THE RIDER PHOTOS}

Ruth Torres, assistant director of Financial Aid, stressed the importance of completing the FAFSA early and getting assistance in completing the application if needed.

“They can call [882-4026] or they can come into U Central and make the appointment with the adviser or even send an email,” Torres said.

The email for U Central is ucentral@utrgv.edu. The live chat can be accessed through its website.

She also said the link for public loan forgiveness is available on the U Central website and encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity.

“[The link] will take you directly to the application where you just fill in [the information] and it’s super easy,” Torres said. “… It’s just, like, five questions and then you submit.”

U Central hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, asper its website.

In Brownsville, U Central is located at The Tower (Main Building Room 1.100) and on the first floor of the Student Services Building on the Edinburg campus.

“There is pretty much no wait at any one of our offices, so this is really the time to go ahead and fill out the FAFSA,” Maldonado said. “Registration is right around the corner so take care of all that stuff as quickly as possible. We’re happy to help.”

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