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Applying for Aid

 

BEGIN WITH THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

 

IMPORTANT TIPS

 

  • We recommend that EVERY student submits a FAFSA as it's the best way to ensure consideration for all financial aid. Educate yourself on the myths of financial aid.

  • You can complete the FAFSA electronically or by submitting the paper application (please note that submitting a paper FAFSA will cause significant delays in receiving your financial aid package).

  • It is recommended you complete the FAFSA, as soon as possible, after October 1 the year before you plan to enroll in college. Create your FSA ID to get ready anytime. (Learn more about the new FSA ID process.)

  • You will use your Prior-Year taxes to complete the FAFSA. For example, if you are filing the FAFSA for 24-25 school year, you will use your 2022 tax returns. You can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) on the FAFSA to enter your tax information or you can manually enter your taxes onto your FAFSA. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) will take your tax information from the IRS and place it on your FAFSA for you. Learn more about the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).

  • After you have completed the FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary and each college you listed on the FAFSA will receive your information. The student aid index (SAI) generated from the FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for aid.

  • We strongly recommend creating a folder for all of your financial aid documents. We also emphasize keeping a copy of every document you submit to either McKendree or other organizations.

 

 


YOU'VE FILED YOUR FAFSA, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?