FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can access the FAFSA online at fafsa.gov. You fill out the FAFSA each year you plan to enroll in school. You can begin filling out your FAFSA on October 1.
Students applying for Federal Student Aid must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
- Be registered with the Selective Service if you are a male and 18 to 25 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or General Education Development Certificate (GED) or passed an exam approved by the US Department of Education.
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a school that participated in the Federal Student Aid Program.
- Not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid such as grants, loans or work-study.
- Must not owe a refund on a Federal Grant or be in default on a Federal Student Loan.
To apply for federal student aid you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA asks for financial information about you and your family, like income and asset information, as well as your academic background. You will need the following information to complete the FAFSA:
- Your Federal Tax Return for the prior tax year and corresponding W-2 forms
- Your spouse's Federal Tax Return for the prior tax year and corresponding W-2 forms (if applicable)
- Your parents' Federal Tax Return and corresponding W-2 forms (if you are dependent)
Each student and parent must have a unique FSA ID and password in order to apply for Financial Aid. Visit fsaid.ed.gov to obtain your FSA ID and set your password.
Chowan University’s school code 002916. Please be sure that you review your FAFSA for accuracy before it is submitted.