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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 intend to 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 type of aid you are offered.

Need-based federal and state aid is not available to international or ineligible non-citizens. If you aren’t eligible, search university or private Scholarships for other opportunities.

*Eligible certificate programs are Legal Studies Institute and Museum Studies. Students enrolled in the FIU Embrace program may qualify for Federal Pell Grants only.

When to apply?

The FAFSA must be submitted once a year and applies to fall, spring and summer semester for the upcoming year. FAFSA becomes available Oct. 1. We encourage students to apply as soon as possible to ensure you get your financial aid on time for the start of the next year.

Students who are admitted to FIU for the summer term are required to complete 2 FAFSAs. One for the current academic year (which includes the summer semester) and another one for the upcoming academic year starting in fall.

Check your FIU email account! The Financial Aid Office will send you reminders when FAFSA opens and when the deadlines get closer.

What do I need?

FSA ID

The Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID allows you and your parents to electronically sign your FAFSA application and provides access to Federal Student Aid websites. Both you, and your parent will need an FSA ID.

Create/Manage FSA ID

Tax information

To complete the FAFSA form, all contributors, including student, parents or spouses, if applicable—must provide their consent and signature. This consent is required to allow the IRS to share federal tax information (FTI) directly with the U.S. Department of Education through the Direct Data Exchange. This process helps ensure accuracy and simplifies the application by automatically transferring relevant tax data. Without consent from all contributors, the FAFSA cannot be processed.

Next Steps

  • Determining Financial Need

    Financial need is determined by subtracting the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the estimated cost of attendance (COA). The SAI replaces the former Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is calculated using a new federal methodology established under the FAFSA Simplification Act. This updated process, mandated by Congress, aims to provide a more accurate and equitable assessment of a student’s financial situation.

    The SAI is based on information such as income, certain assets (excluding your primary residence), family size, and other relevant tax data. Much of this financial information is now securely transferred directly from the IRS using the Direct Data Exchange (DDX), streamlining the application and reducing errors.

    After the FAFSA is completed and processed, students receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly the Student Aid Report), which includes their calculated SAI. Financial aid eligibility is then determined by subtracting the SAI from the school'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 you’ve submitted the FAFSA, you can still revise your information if a change has occurred in your life or if you realize you’ve made an error. Some changes you may be able to report on your own, but after you receive your award notification or if the change significantly impacts your eligibility, you will need to work 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 more about what aid you may receive in Types of Aid.  Learn more about accepting your financial aid, getting your financial aid refund and how to keep your aid in Receiving Aid.