Applying for Financial Aid: It Starts with your FAFSA
Choose your path!
This page is about submitting your FAFSA.
- Already submitted your FAFSA? Skip to Reviewing and Accepting Your Financial Aid Awards.
- Not interested in applying for aid? Skip to Billing and Payment Plans.
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Links to an external site. is the primary application for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. On the FAFSA, you’ll provide demographic and financial information that will help student financial services experts at your campus determine your eligibility for grants, loans, scholarships, and other aid.
When you complete the FAFSA, you’ll enter a federal school code to tell the Department of Education where to send your official results. To ensure that your FAFSA information is sent to the correct place, enter your school FAFSA code when prompted (see below). To submit the FAFSA, you (and parent if you are a dependent student) will need a personal Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. You’ll use your FSA ID for a number of important financial aid steps with the Department of Education. Create Your FSA ID Links to an external site. on the Federal Student Aid website, or in the myStudentAid mobile app.
Access FAFSA by mobile
Prefer to use a mobile app? You can complete the 2024–25 FAFSA form on your phone or tablet using the myStudentAid app. Download the myStudentAid app in the Apple App Store Links to an external site. (iOS) or the Google Play Links to an external site. store (Android). The myFAFSA component—which is used to complete the FAFSA form—is one of the app’s featured functions.
IU FAFSA Codes
When filling out the FAFSA, you'll be prompted to enter a federal school code. Here is the school code for IU Columbus:
- IU Columbus: E01033
FAFSA Deadlines
You’ll also need to complete a FAFSA for each year that you’ll be attending classes. The chart below will help you determine what FAFSA you need to file, what year’s financial information you need to report, and when you can file the FAFSA based on when you’ll be attending classes.
|
When Will You First Enroll? |
You need to submit this FAFSA |
You can submit the appropriate FAFSA between these dates |
Using income and tax information from |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spring 2025 |
2024-25 |
January 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025 |
2022 |
Important note: Add or Update your SSN
In order for the IU financial aid team to process your FAFSA, we must be able to match your social security number (SSN) on your FAFSA with your SSN on your student record. Having your SSN on your record will help us determine your financial aid eligibility as quickly as possible. To add your SSN to your university record or confirm your information, log into One.IU Links to an external site.and go to SSN/educational tax credit verification Links to an external site.. You can add or update your SSN there.
Additional Resources for Parents & Guardians
For more information and a helpful overview for parents on filing your FAFSA, visit this page Links to an external site. and review the eight easy steps for parents completing the FAFSA form.
Your turn!
If you haven't done so previously, Create Your FSA ID Links to an external site. on the Federal Student Aid website, or in the myStudentAid mobile app.
If you haven't submitted the FAFSA yet, do so now.
To add your SSN to your university record or confirm your information, log into One.IU Links to an external site.and go to SSN/educational tax credit verification Links to an external site..