Catalyst is the University of Cincinnati student information system. This online resource and student portal is the entry point to your academic record, university billing, financial aid, and more.
As a first-time student, the following directions will allow you to view and act on your financial aid offer.
Accessing Catalyst
Access Catalyst at https://catalyst.uc.edu and logon using your user name and password.
- If you have not signed on previously, search your email account using "Catalyst" to find the introductory email sent to you when you applied for admission.
- You can also find your UC username by visiting https://www.uc.edu/PSS/public/forgottenusername.
- Once you have obtained your username, new students will need to set up your profile using the initial password Uc!MMDDYYYY (where MMDDYYYY is your full date of birth).
- If you have difficulty with your login, there is self-service information on recovering your username and password.
Viewing Aid Offer and Accepting/Declining Aid
Scholarships and grants are automatically accepted when they are awarded.
For any Federal Work-Study or loan awards, you will need to take action to accept them.
- Logon to https://catalyst.uc.edu.
- Click on the "My Finances" tile.
- Use the "Manage Financial Aid" to choose the appropriate aid year and accept or decline as you wish.
- Actions are not final until you click "submit."
Also, please alert us if you anticipate aid that is not showing as part of your award offer.
Your award is generally made based on full-time attendance. Enrolling in co-op or as a part-time student for any given term this academic year can change your aid distribution.
When accepting loans, please review detailed information on loan next steps.
Tasks Checklist
You may have additional steps now or as you move through the financial aid process. These requirements and other important matters will be detailed via your "Tasks" tile in Catalyst. These tasks are often referred to as "To Do" items.
Leaving "To Do" items incomplete can result in delays or loss of aid. Additionally, any awards made prior to completing these items are estimations of eligibility. Full determination of your award will be made once all "To Do" requirements are met.
Take action to complete items as they post to your record. Review the status of your "Tasks" each time you login to Catalyst.
