Financial Aid FAFSA BASICS and FAQ

When looking for Financial Aid = it all starts with FAFSA! 

What is FAFSA? 

• FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
• FAFSA determines your eligibility for Federal Pell Grants and Federal Loans 

Who can get FAFSA money? 

• US Citizens can get it 
• Some eligible non-citizens who are allowed to live in the US can get it too. 

How do I Apply for FAFSA? 

1. Create an FSA ID at studentaid.gov 

• Your parent or spouse may also need an FSA ID to complete their portion  

2. Complete the FAFSA form at fafsa.gov 

3. Enter BYU-Idaho's school code: 001625 

4. Submit your FAFSA before the priority deadline  

• You can still receive federal aid if you submit after the priority deadline, it just might not be here before late fees apply 
• How to Fill Out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form 

Who is considered a contributor on my FAFSA?   

• Anyone who is required to provide consent for their federal tax information to be transferred to your FAFSA. 
• This may include your parents, a stepparent, or your spouse 
• FAFSA can help you know who is considered a contributor 

Is the 2025-2026 FAFSA application different from the 2024-2025 FAFSA? 

• No, the 2024-2025 application was revamped to simplify the process for families, but the 2025-2026 application is the same as 2024-2025. 

When will the 2025-2026 FAFSA be launched? 

• The 2025-2026 FAFSA Application should be launched by December 1, 2024.  

What if I am looking to receive aid for Winter 2025 or Spring 2025? 

• You can still complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA and receive aid for Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 semesters 

Can I expect issues when 2025-2026 opens?  

• Expect some delays or interruptions during the first few weeks the application is open. The Department of Education is doing extensive testing to try to make this a much smoother process than last year.  

When should I complete my application? 

• The BYU-Idaho Need Based Scholarship will give priority consideration to students who have completed their 2025-2026 FAFSA application by March 1st.  
• Remember, this application is for the Fall 2025 semester, so completing it before the priority deadline for Fall 2025 semester is important 

How will I know that my FAFSA application has been received?   

• You will receive a confirmation email from the Department of Education when you complete and submit your FAFSA 
• FAFSA submission summary will follow when your application has been processed.  
• IMPORTANT: BYU-Idaho will not begin processing 2025-2026 FAFSA applications in our system until at least March 2025.  
• check for a “2025-2026 FAFSA” in your satisfied documents in your financial aid portal. 

When will I see my Federal Aid offers online? 

• 2024-2025 FAFSA: aid offers take 5-7 days to process 

• 2025-2026 FAFSA: aid offers for BYU-Idaho will start processing late March or early April. 

I sent in my FAFSA a week ago, but it is not showing up in my financial aid portal?  

• To process your financial aid, the following information must match exactly on both your FAFSA and BYU-Idaho record: 

1. Social Security Number 
2. Birthdate 

• If Your student record hasn't been created yet (if you haven't matriculated or declared a major) we will also be unable to link your FAFSA.  
  • To fix this: 
    • If the information is incorrect at BYU-Idaho: Follow the instructions here to update it. 
    • If the information is incorrect on your FAFSA: Log into your FSA account and submit corrections 

What is verification and what do I do if I am selected? 

• The Department of Education selects some students (about 1/3) to verify their information 
• Verification ensures the accuracy of FAFSA information 
• If selected, you'll need to provide additional documentation through your financial aid portal 
• Federal Aid cannot be disbursed until verification is complete 
• Learn about the verification process