Wondering how to start applying for financial aid? The FAFSA is your first step!
Here’s what you need to know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
SEU’s code for FAFSA purposes is 001521.
Submitting the FAFSA earlier
Students can file a FAFSA as early as October 1 rather than beginning on January 1. This earlier submission date is a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year. With this change, each year’s FAFSA will be based on earlier income information. Students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their income information based on the chart below.
The FAFSA had historically been available on January 1, allowing students to apply for financial aid for the upcoming school year, beginning in the Fall. In 2015, significant changes were made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. You can submit the FAFSA as early as October 1 each year, and you’ll use earlier income information.
Go Mobile
The U.S. Department of Education Website is a great resource for additional information. They’ve even released a FAFSA mobile app on the App Store and on Google Play.
Video Resources
Check out the Federal Student Aid You Tube channel for how-to videos, tips, and more! In particular, these videos about the FAFSA and on Creating an FSA Account are very useful.
Prepare to Submit Your FAFSA
- Know which tax year to use. See the chart below.
- Gather your information before you start. Before you begin the FAFSA form at studentaid.gov you’ll first need to set up your own personal FSA ID and will need other personal and financial information, such as your social security number (SSN) and tax information (if you have any).
- Get your parent’s information, too. You’ll need to have your parent(s) create their own FSA ID, and have their personal information (SSN, etc.) and their tax information. (If they want, some parents can even retrieve their tax data while completing the FAFSA directly from the IRS website!)
- Know SEU’s school code. Southeastern’s School Code is 001521, which you’ll need to use on the FAFSA so you can make sure your information gets to the Student Financial Services office at SEU.
Details
| When a Student is Attending College (School Year) | Earliest Student Can Submit a FAFSA | Which Year’s Income Information is Required |
| July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 | Beginning October 1, 2021 | 2020 |
| July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 | Beginning October 1, 2022 | 2021 |
| July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 | Beginning October 1, 2023 | 2022 |
| July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | Beginning October 1, 2024 | 2023 |
| July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 | Beginning October 1, 2025 | 2024 |
Note: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to applying for financial aid, including Federal Student Aid programs (such as Federal Pell Grants, Student Loans and Work Study), and SEU grants and scholarships.
