File the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application is required for all federal, state (Illinois residents), and Loyola University Chicago need-based funding. Loyola's federal school code is 001710. The FAFSA is required to be considered for Loyola need-based grant assistance. The priority filing date for undergraduate students is March 1. Graduate students do not have a priority filing date, but they should submit the FAFSA as early as possible.
Filing the FAFSA
The FAFSA may be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Filing online is faster than using the paper version of the FAFSA. The online version also reveals and highlights errors for correction before your application is submitted, resulting in easier processing and a reduced need to submit additional documentation. Remember to complete the online signature requirements, which are done using a PIN. You can request a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov.
(Note: The FAFSA is also available in Spanish.)
When to File the FAFSA
File your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, 2009. Because many need-based funds are limited, they are often awarded by date of application. Filing early can be key to locking in the funding for which you are eligible, making your college decision easier.
If you want to know the amount of your award package by May 1, 2009, the following example may be helpful:
- Mail your FAFSA to the federal processor no later than February 15, 2009, to ensure that the federal processor receives the application by Loyola's March 1, 2009, priority deadline.
- Make sure you are formally admitted to Loyola by February 1 for scholarship consideration.
- The federal processor usually takes between 4–6 weeks to process the FAFSA and send your results to the colleges/universities you indicated on your application. You will receive an electronic Student Aid Report Acknowledgement (SAR) when the processing is completed.
- Review the SAR immediately and correct any missing or incorrect items.
- After you have been admitted, you will receive your Estimate of Eligibility within 2–3 weeks after Loyola has received the FAFSA information.
- If the freshman class closes, you will receive an estimate only after you are removed from the waiting list.
- You will receive your Award Letter after all requested documents, including tax returns, have been received and the FAFSA information is verified by Loyola's Office of Student Financial Assistance.
- If you need to submit a Special Circumstance Appeal, do so by April 1 so that you may have a decision by May 1. Forms are available here.
Where to get a FAFSA
Note: Since the majority of our students choose to file the FAFSA online, the Department of Education does not make paper applications available to schools. If you would like a paper application, you must call 800.4FEDAID and request that one be mailed to you. Or, follow the links below to complete the online form and then print out the FAFSA .
We recommend you file the FAFSA online. Not only is filing online is not only 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.
FAFSA on the Web Worksheet (Print this worksheet to help you file your FAFSA online.)
FAFSA on the Web Worksheet in Spanish (Print this worksheet to help you file your FAFSA online.)