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FAFSA

How to Submit the FAFSA

To be considered for any financial aid from the federal government (including federal grants or loans, work study and some scholarships) the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)must be submitted each year.

  • FIU School Code: 009635
  • FIU Priority Deadline: March 1
  • New students: Apply by Dec. 1 for faster award offers

Apply for FAFSA aid

How to fill out the FAFSA form

Who can apply?

You must enroll in a FIU degree program, or an eligible certificate program*. For all basic requirements see Federal Student Aid Eligibility .Additional requirements may apply depending on Types of Aid you are offered.

Need-based federal and state financial aid is not available to international students or individuals who do not meet federal eligibility requirements. However, you may still be eligible for alternative funding sources. We encourage you to explore university-sponsored and private Scholarships opportunities for additional financial assistance.

*Eligible certificate programs include Museum Studies. Students participating in the FIU Embrace program are eligible for Federal Pell Grants but are not eligible for other federal or state financial aid.

When to apply?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed annually and covers the upcoming fall, spring, and summer semesters. The application becomes available each year on October 1.

Students are strongly encouraged to submit their FAFSA as early as possible to help ensure timely processing and the availability of financial aid funds at the start of the academic year.

Students admitted to FIU for the summer term are required to complete two FAFSA applications. One application must be submitted for the current academic year, which includes the summer semester, and a second application must be submitted for the upcoming academic year beginning in the fall.

Be sure to regularly monitor your FIU email account. The Financial Aid Office will send important notifications, including reminders when the FAFSA application becomes available and as priority deadlines approach.

What do I need?

FSA ID

The Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID allows contributors to electronically sign the application and provides access to Federal Student Aid websites. Both the student and any required contributor(s), such as a parent or spouse, must create and use their own FSA ID.

Create/Manage FSA ID

Tax information

To complete the application, all contributors, including the student and, if applicable, a parent or spouse, must provide their consent and signature. This consent authorizes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to share federal tax information (FTI) directly with the U.S. Department of Education through the Direct Data Exchange (DDX).

This secure process enhances accuracy and streamlines the application by automatically transferring relevant tax data. Please note that without consent from all required contributors, the application cannot be processed.

Next Steps

  • Determining Financial Need

    Financial need is calculated by subtracting the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).

    The SAI is determined using information such as income, certain assets (excluding the primary residence), family size, and other relevant tax data. Much of this financial information is securely transferred directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through the Direct Data Exchange (DDX), which streamlines the application process and helps reduce errors.

    After the application is completed and processed, students receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), which includes the calculated SAI. Financial aid eligibility is then determined by subtracting the SAI from the institution’s Cost of Attendance (COA).

    FIU cost of attendance - SAI = Financial Need

    Scholarships and other monetary awards from private sources must be considered in determining eligibility when awarding federal financial aid. The amount of financial aid that is met will depend on the timing of the completed application; on the availability of funds and the types of assistance the student is willing to accept.

    For an early estimate of your cost, the Net Price Calculator may be of assistance for students who have never attended college and plan to enroll full time.

  • Changes or Special Circumstances

    After submitting the FAFSA, you may update your information to reflect any changes in your circumstances or to correct errors. While some updates can be made independently, changes occurring after the issuance of your award notification or those that significantly affect your eligibility must be processed in coordination with OneStop.

    Report Changes or Special Circumstances

  • Financial Aid Notification

    After you receive your financial aid notification through MyFIU or your FIU email, you can learn about the Types of Aid you received.  You can also learn about accepting your financial aid, getting your financial aid refund and how to keep your aid in Receiving Aid.