Financial Aid » The Process » Applying

Applying for Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application that collects household and financial information for the student and the students parents/family.  The FAFSA is the foundation we use to determine your eligibility for the Federal programs and also some state and Grand Valley programs. 

How do I apply?

You should file your FAFSA on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov anytime after January 1 each year.  Filing on line improves the accuracy of your application since FAFSA has put "smart edits" in their application.  If you are unable to file on line you can contact FAFSA at (800) 433-3243.  You can request up to 3 paper applications a year.

When do I apply?

The priority deadline is March 1 each year.  FAFSAs filed after March 1 may not receive the maximum in financial aid eligibility due to limited monies.  Your FAFSA does require tax information.  If you do not have your taxes filed it is okay to estimate your information.  Be sure to correct your FAFSA information once your taxes are finalized. 

Am I Eligible for Financial Aid?

In general to receive aid from FAFSA, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen or eligible non citizen of the U.S.
• Have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass an approved "ability to benefit" test, or have completed a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as a home school or private school under state law.
• Enroll in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate.
• Be registered with the Selective Service if required (in general, if you are a male over the age of 18).

How do I sign the FAFSA?

Students and their parents can sign the FAFSA electronically using a federal PIN.  You can either request a PIN before you file or while you file on line.  Signing your FAFSA electronically is the fastest way for your information to be processed and send on to Grand Valley.