Applying for Financial Aid

  • How do I apply for financial aid?

    To determine what you might be eligible to receive, you must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Once you complete the FAFSA, the federal processor will review your application, and you will then be notified if you qualify for financial aid.
  • Does it cost to apply for financial aid?

    It does not cost anything to apply for financial aid. To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – known as the FAFSA – at www.fafsa.gov If you do not have internet access at home, you may be able to access the Internet on a campus computer or at a local library. Finally, if you have any questions about the FAFSA or the financial aid process, representatives from the Financial Aid Office are available to help you, free of charge. Beware of scams that charge for financial aid!
  • When should I apply for financial aid?

    The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available every year on January 1st. You should apply early even if you are not planning to start school until the summer or fall. This way you can figure out how you are going to pay for school before it begins. The latest date a student can apply for financial aid is June 30th of the following year. For example, June 30, 2012 for academic year 2011-2012. Or, for example June 30, 2013 for academic year 2012-2013. However, a student must have valid ISIR data/paper SAR at the institution prior to the last day of enrollment at that campus to be considered for payment. The FAFSA can be found online at: www.fafsa.gov
  • When should I fill out a FAFSA?

    The new FAFSA becomes available on January 1st of each year. It is generally advised that you complete the FAFSA as early as possible. But be sure to take your time to avoid making any errors. If you or your parents have not yet filed taxes for the year, you can estimate your earnings based on your previous year's earnings. By completing the FAFSA early, you will have the greatest access to financial aid funds. There is an additional federal resource - called the FAFSA4caster – that you can use prior to January 1st to estimate your financial aid eligibility. It can be found on the FAFSA website. This is a great tool for seniors in high school who are looking at different colleges.
  • Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?

    Yes. You must apply for financial aid each year. You can apply online at www.fafsa.gov. The online FAFSA application is easy to complete. The computer program will walk you through all the questions you need to answer. Best of all it won’t cost you anything to apply. To complete your application, you will need a pin number to electronically sign your FAFSA. This is to ensure your privacy and security. You can obtain your pin at www.pin.ed.gov. Finally you should know that the FAFSA is available every year beginning January 1st. You are encouraged to apply early.
  • Do I have to wait for admission before applying for financial aid?

    No, you do not have to be admitted in order to apply for financial aid. However, you do have to be admitted and registered to receive financial aid.