As many of you already know, this year’s FAFSA and CSS Profile are now available! Here is a quick rundown of the major steps most students will need to be aware of if they will apply for financial aid for college. Instructions for applying for aid will always be available on the websites of your colleges; make sure to review these instructions so that you don’t miss anything
-attend Stuy’s financial aid webinar on October 21. Register here.
-identify your financial aid deadlines. Those will be listed on the websites on the colleges. If you are applying EA/ED/REA to any selective private college, expect that you have financial aid deadlines that may fall as early as November 1
-gather important documents (1040 & W2 forms, bank statements, ssns, etc.)
-US Citizens and Permanent Residents seeking need-based financial aid will need to complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA. Students ineligible to file a FAFSA may still qualify for the NYS Dream Act.
-In order to start/complete a FAFSA, both the student and a parent contributor will need a FSA ID.
-many private colleges, and some out-of-state public flagship campuses, will also require aid applicants to file the 2026-2027 CSS Profile
-other colleges like UChicago and Princeton might require their own aid form instead of the CSS, but, in addition to the FAFSA
-after completing the primary financial aid forms, some colleges may want to verify this information by reviewing supporting documentation such as federal tax returns, w2 forms, etc. CSS Profile using institutions often do this using a service called IDOC.
-if you will attend college in New York and have a NTI of $125,000 or less, you should apply for TAP after completing the FAFSA or sometime this winter. TAP only allows you to include one NYS college, so you may need to update the college listed in the spring if your enrollment plan changes
-check your email regularly. If something is missing or incorrect with your aid applications or documentation, most colleges will email you. Also, you can check within your applicant portals after you have applied to see if your aid requirements are met
-once you have completed the financial aid application process, each college that admits you this year should provide you with a financial aid package sometime after your admission notification
If you have questions or need help, reach out to your assigned college counselor and/or the financial aid offices of the colleges to which you’re applying. This comprehensive guide might also be of use.
