How to Apply for Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA (ASU school code 001081) | FAFSA4caster

The FAFSA can be filed beginning January 1 of each year. Submit your FAFSA before ASU's priority filing date of March 1 each year to maximize the amount of aid you receive. Eligible students who apply by this date have a greater chance of receiving need-based aid. The priority filing date is not a deadline, so still submit your FAFSA even if the priority filing date has passed. The FAFSA is a free application, so if an agency is requesting payment to complete it, you might be involved in a scam.

After filing your FAFSA, you will receive a report called a SAR, listing the information from your FAFSA. Your SAR also lists your EFC, which, along with your estimated COA, is used to determine your eligibility for need based aid. Please review your SAR for accuracy and make any necessary corrections online. Contact the U.S. Department of Education if you do not receive your SAR or have questions regarding your SAR.

If your family's financial situation changes after you submit your FAFSA, you may request a review of your eligibility by submitting the appropriate Parent Review form and/or Student Review form.

Scholarship Search | List All Scholarships | New Scholarships

Need-based scholarships require completion of the FAFSA. Note deadlines (most occur between December and March) and requirements.

My ASU

If we select you for financial aid verification, you will be sent a letter from ASU requesting different types of documentation. Your To Do list on My ASU will also show any items that ASU is requesting. Financial aid processing can only continue once you have submitted all requested financial aid items, so please complete your To Do list promptly. Be aware that during peak-processing times (February - September) it can take up to four weeks to process submitted items. New requests for items may arise throughout the year so it's a good idea to check your To Do list frequently.

Not all students are selected for verification so please do not submit additional information unless requested by ASU. Because ASU participates in the Federal Quality Assurance Program, ASU selects students for verification based on its own criteria and not that of the U.S. Department of Education. If you have questions related to the completion of any requested item please contact Student Financial Assistance.

Accept/Reduce/Decline Your Financial Aid | Enroll In Classes | Census Policy

The awarding process for new freshmen usually begins late-March, and mid-May for all other students. After all requested items needed for verification are processed by Student Financial Assistance, you will be sent an aid offer called a FAN. Your FAN lists your offered financial aid for the entire academic year (i.e., fall through spring). Offered awards are contingent upon full-time enrollment (i.e., 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates) and are based on your academic level, estimated cost of attendance, need, and application completion date. If your enrollment changes, we will prorate your awards through the 21st class day of the semester. Please see our Census Policy for complete details on how your enrollment affects your awards.

2009-10 FAN Guide (undergrad) | 2009-10 FAN Guide (grad)

Our primary method of communication after you receive your FAN will be via your ASU email address. If you are a new student, we will send you a paper FAN and a hard-copy of the FAN Guide as well as email notification once your financial aid offer is determined. If you are a continuing student, you will receive an email notification directing you to sign in to My ASU to view your FAN online.

Think carefully before accepting private student loan offers. Please be careful when considering private student loan offers you receive as unsolicited direct mail or email offers from banks and other private lenders. Also carefully consider how much you need to borrow and avoid borrowing more than you really need. When borrowing be sure to check terms and conditions before accepting any loan and be sure you understand how much you will need to repay. Private student loans can be very expensive and could adversely affect your eligibility for other financial assistance.

View Your Financial Aid | Cancel your Undergraduate Admission

In order to secure your financial aid, you must use My ASU to accept any grants (except the Federal Pell Grant), ASU scholarships and loans (except the Parent PLUS Loan). Decline any loans you do not plan on borrowing. You may also reduce your offered loan amounts if the loan has not been disbursed. Once any amount of the loan has disbursed, this option will not be available online and you must request a change in person.

Incoming freshman not planning to attend ASU must use the link above for further instructions regarding how to notify us of your decision. All other students not planning to attend ASU should notify Student Financial Assistance at the Tempe campus in writing and also initiate a complete university withdrawal.

Direct Deposit Enrollment | Financial Aid Calendar | Direct Deposit Enrollment FAQs

We recommend enrolling in direct deposit through My ASU so funds post directly to your bank account, otherwise, any financial aid refund will be mailed to your local address no sooner than a few days before the start of each semester. See the Financial Aid Calendar for disbursement dates. Allow up to two weeks for your direct deposit enrollment to activate. Check with your bank to ensure your funds are been credited to your bank account before drawing on your refund. Questions regarding your direct deposit enrollment should be directed to the Student Accounts Office.

Parent PLUS Loan Instructions

Parents offered a Parent PLUS Loan must complete additional steps in order to finish the application process for this type of loan.

Complete Your MPN | Complete Your Loan Entrance Counseling

If you have accepted loans, you will need to complete an MPN and Loan Entrance Counseling for each type of loan you have accepted before your funds can be disbursed. If you have already completed an MPN and/or Loan Entrance Counseling at another school, you must still complete them at ASU.

Student Employment | Graduate Assistantships | Internships | Full-Time Degree-Related Jobs

Some students need to work in order to meet educational and living expenses while others wish to work because they feel the experience can be a valuable part of their education. The skills you obtain from working complement your academic performance and communicate to future employers your ability to succeed in a professional setting.

View Your Student Account | Direct Deposit Enrollment | View Your Address | Financial Aid Calendar

Paying Tuition with Financial Aid: Available financial aid will begin paying your ASU charges no sooner than a few days before the start of each semester. If financial aid is canceled or does not pay all tuition and fees, you will be responsible for these charges. Tuition and billing correspondence will be sent to your official ASU email account. ASU expects students to check their ASU email frequently to stay current with University-related communications, including e-billing notifications. You may view your account on My ASU by selecting "Make a Payment/QuickPAY" in the Quick Links box under Finances. Classes will be held even if aid becomes unavailable or is inadequate to pay all tuition and fees. If your financial aid is canceled or does not pay all tuition and fees, you are responsible for these charges. Students are required to pay all tuition and fees for any registered course unless enrollment is officially canceled during the 100% refund period. Registration will not be canceled during the tuition refund period for non-payment. If you decide not to attend classes, you must officially withdraw from the University.

Paying Student Housing & Meal Plan with Financial Aid: All meal plans and most residence halls will be charged to you through the ASU billing system and these charges will be paid with any available financial aid. Residence hall charges that are billed through a 3rd-party (e.g., Vista del Sol) are not automatically paid with your financial aid; consult with your residence hall office on how to pay these charges with your financial aid refund. For additional information please see Residential Life FAQs.

Receiving Any Remaining Aid: If your credited aid is in excess of your university charges, a financial aid refund will be generated for the difference either by direct deposit to your bank account or by check. If you did not enroll in direct deposit, any refund owed to you will be mailed to your address on file with the university no sooner than a few days before the start of the semester. Sign in to My ASU to check and/or update your contact information. If you need your check to be reissued, please see Reissuing Checks for further information. Note: to receive your financial aid refund beginning the week before classes, you must register for classes, complete your financial aid file and accept your awards at least two weeks before the semester begins.