Applying for Financial Aid

How to Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

FAFSA filing for the 2021-2022 academic year will begin on October 1, 2020.

Instrucciones en Español: Como llenar el formulario de Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA por sus siglas en inglés)

The FSA ID

To be considered for most types of assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You need an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA, make corrections to the application, and more. If you are a dependent student, your parent will need to create one as well. Create your FSA ID before you begin the FAFSA.

The FAFSA

For most students, submitting the FAFSA begins the financial assistance process. You must file a new application for each academic year. The FAFSA is used to apply for federal financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans). In addition, the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for state aid such as the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), Educational Opportunity Fund, and NJ Stars II.

Start a new FAFSA or make corrections online at fafsa.ed.gov. The process is free. Never pay to apply for federal financial aid. Review this helpful tutorial created by the University of California, Santa Barbara: 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA.

Use income information from two years prior when filling out your FAFSA.

  • Enrolled between July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021: complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA using your 2018 income information. 
  • Enrolled between July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022: complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA using your 2019 income information. 
William Paterson University School Code: 002625

Important Deadlines:

The earlier you submit your FAFSA, the better your chances are of receiving the most financial aid.

  • Priority Filing Deadline (Consideration for Federal  and SEOG ): May 1st
    • New students who file the FAFSA well before May 1st, will receive earlier notification of eligibility.
  • Consideration for State Aid (TAG, EOF, NJSTARSII ):
    • Continuing students: April 15th
    • New applicants: September 15th
    • All other applicants (Spring semester only): February 15th

Having the following information and forms on-hand will help you fill out the FAFSA: 

  • Student Social Security Number 
  • Student Driver’s license (if any) 
  • W-2 Forms from two years prior and other records of any money earned 
  • Your (and/or your parents’) Federal Income Tax Return from two years prior — IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, foreign tax return, or tax return from Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated State of Micronesia 
  • Any untaxed income records for two years prior  — e.g., payments to tax deferred pension and savings plans, tax exempt interest and child support received 
  • Records of taxable earnings from Federal Work-Study or other need-based work programs
  • Records of any grants, scholarships, and fellowship aid that was included in your or your parents’ adjusted gross income (AGI) 
  • Any current bank statements 
  • Any current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bonds and other investment records 
  • Documentation that you are a U.S. permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen, if applicable 

How to Apply for New Jersey State Aid

In order for the State of New Jersey to determine your eligibility for state awards (TAG, EOF, NJSTARSII), you need to complete several state questions when you complete your FAFSA.  These questions are found in a link on the Confirmation page.  The Confirmation page appears once you submit your FAFSA. Look for the sentence “Optional Feature – Start your state application – Click here if you want to apply for New Jersey state-based financial aid”.

The Federal Processor will forward your FAFSA information to the State of New Jersey for consideration for state financial aid.