FAFSA® Application

FAFSA^® Application Information

• The FAFSA^® is now open for the 2025-2026 academic year!

  This is a crucial step in securing financial assistance for your education, and we encourage you to complete the application as soon as possible.

  By submitting a FAFSA, you will be considered for Federal Aid, which includes the Federal Pell Grant, Work Study and Direct Loans. You will also be considered for state and institutional grant funding. U.S. Citizens and permanent residents are eligible to submit a FAFSA.

  The Priority Deadline for continuing students to complete the application for the 2025-2026 academic year is March 15, 2025. It’s essential to submit your application before the deadline to ensure your eligibility for aid. Some financial aid programs are on a first-come, first-served basis.

  Use school code 003623.

  submit your fafsa^®

Documents Needed

Before you start the application, gather all necessary documents. This will streamline the application process and help ensure accuracy. Documents needed may include:

Your FSA ID*
Parents’ (and/or spouse’s) FSA ID*
2023 Tax Returns:
Parents’ 2023 1040 Tax Return Form with schedules 1 and 3 (if applicable)
Your (student’s) 2023 Tax Return with Schedules 1 and 3 (if applicable)
W2 forms for parent(s) and yourself, if you worked in 2023
Financial assets information, such as current statements for checking, savings and investment accounts
Child support payments received in 2024

*FSA IDs must be created at least three days before you submit. All contributors will need an FSA ID. Contributors are individuals, such as a parent or spouse, who may be required to provide information on an applicant’s FAFSA^®, depending on the applicant’s dependency or marital status.

New Terminology

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is no longer used. The Student Aid Index (SAI) will take the place of the EFC. The new formula removes the number of family members in college from the calculation, allows a minimum SAI of -$1,500, and implements a separate eligibility determination criterion for the Federal Pell Grant. 

The new FAFSA^® introduces the term contributor. Contributors are individuals, such as a parent or spouse, who may be required to provide information on an applicant’s FAFSA^® depending on the applicant’s dependency or marital status. Applicants and other contributors must consent to the use of their Federal Tax Information (FTI) of their FAFSA^® or will risk not being awarded aid.  

FSA ID Information

An FSA ID is an account and password that gives you access to the Federal Student Aid’s online system and serves as your electronic signature.

Each contributor must have an FSA ID.

To set up an FSA ID, each contributor will need the items below:
Social Security Number (SSN)
Email address for each person
Each individual must have their own, individual email

If you already have an FSA ID, there’s no need to sign up again.

After You’ve Completed Your 2025-2026 FAFSA^®

Once you’ve completed your FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary via email. It’s important to review this to see if any documentation or requirements are needed. You can also review your Gateway Portal using the steps below:

Log into Gateway
Scroll down and select Students
Select View Financial Aid (Offers and Requirements)
Select Award
Select View Award Offer
Select 2025-2026 and Submit

From here, you will be able to view your financial aid award offer and view any requirements necessary to complete if you have not already received one.