The first step is yours. Applying early for financial assistance is the key to unlocking the resources you may need, because the more time we have to work together, the greater our chances of finding the perfect combination of financial resources for you.

File Online: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

We recommend you file the FAFSA online. Not only is filing online faster, but many errors are revealed and highlighted for correction before your FAFSA is even submitted  -  which leads to easier processing and reduced need to submit additional documentation. 

Schools no longer receive copies of the paper FAFSA.  If you would prefer to complete and mail a paper FAFSA, call 1-800-4FED-AID to have one mailed to you.

IMPORTANT INFORMaTION FOR COMPLETING THE 2012-2013 fafsa

The FAFSA application process has changed for 2012-2013. Even if you have applied for financial aid previously, it is very different this year.

The changes may influence when and how you file the 2011 Federal Tax Return, and how the 2012-2013 FAFSA is completed.

Don't Wait, Estimate

We always suggest that you not wait to file the FAFSA until your tax returns have been submitted with the IRS. The FAFSA allows you to estimate your information and submit the application early. Loyola's priority application date is March 1, 2012, so we suggest you submit the FAFSA online by February 27, 2012 to be comfortably ahead of the March 1 date. Doing so ensures that you have the financial aid award in advance of May 1st.

Your Tax Return and the FAFSA - A Perfect Match

In 2012-2013, many families will be eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval process to complete the FAFSA. Doing so improves the accuracy of the FAFSA. Using the IRS Data Retrieval also eliminates much of the need to submit copies of tax returns to Loyola, which makes the process faster and simpler. The parent's and student's 2011 federal income tax information may be retrieved directly from the IRS website to the 2012-2013 FAFSA by choosing the 'LINK to IRS' feature on the FAFSA. (Note: this will only be possible if you submit your IRS tax forms online).

The IRS Data Retrieval is available beginning February 1, 2012. Your 2011 Fedearal Tax Returns must be filed and available on the IRS website before you can use this feature. There will be a delay between the time your tax return is filed and the time it is available on the IRS website to allow transfer of your data to the FAFSA. Families will be able to plan the FAFSA submission approximately 10 business days after submitted to the IRS online.

If you submit the FAFSA before you (or tax professional) file the tax forms, you can still use the IRS Data Retrieval to make corrections once it is available (see below).

For more information, review steps in the financial aid process:

• Undergraduate Student Steps

• Graduate Student Steps