FAFSA Process

Step 1. Complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA.

• This year's FAFSA asks for 2023 income values. If your parent's current income is significantly less than 2023, have them contact our office. It may be beneficial to complete the Income Change Form.
• The FAFSA is not required if you are applying  only for scholarships

• Here are some "helps" and videos to complete the application...and a page for parents.

• Your contributor doesn't have a social security number  (guidance as of April 4, 2024)

Step 2.  Complete optional " Special Circumstance Forms" if applicable

First-Year fall semester applicants are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by February 15, if possible. Those admitted under Early Action I or Early Decision I will receive an award letter earlier, if the FAFSA is completed by an earlier date.

Transfer applicants for the fall should complete the FAFSA by June 1, if possible. However, Illinois residents should do so by May 1, to help ensure consideration for limited IL MAP Grant funds. 

Applications are accepted after these dates, but available funding may be less.

Step 1. Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA ("Free Application for Federal Student Aid")

• The FAFSA is not required if you are applying  only for scholarships

• Here are some "helps" and videos to complete the application...and a page for parents.

• Your contributor doesn't have a social security number  (guidance as of April 4, 2024)
• FAFSA Notes:
  • The web address is  www.fafsa.gov.
  • Our Federal School Code is  001706.

Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA and any other forms by December 1 if possible.

Late applications will be accepted.

Students entering in January should also plan to submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA by April 1.

• The federal student aid processing center will send an email confirming that your FAFSA was received, and then, a few days later, an email will tell you that your FAFSA has been processed. The second email will provide a link to a Student Aid Report or “SAR” which summarizes your application. Review this for accuracy and make any necessary corrections. 
• Did you (or your parent) not sign the FAFSA? Click here
• Create a file folder to keep all financial aid documents (ID #s, FSA IDs, confirmation pages, SAR, etc.).
• Our office will receive your FAFSA results within seven days of being processed.
• If the initial FAFSA you submitted included estimated values, correct those values after your / your parents’ tax return is completed (see “Data Retrieval Tool” under Helpful Tools in the right column).
• If you have been admitted to the College, we will prepare an Award Letter showing all financial aid you qualify to receive. This is sent by email to you and your parent, and -at a later time- by regular mail. Be sure to review important details on the page “How to Read Your Award Letter.“
• Provide any documentation we require, listed in Part 4 (pg 2) of the award letter. Many are found here. Most can be scanned/emailed, faxed or mailed. See “Contact” in the column on the right.
• Watch a video summary of “what happens next.”