After you submit your FAFSA application, there is a brief wait period before you will receive any information about your student aid.
When to Expect Updates After Submitting FAFSA student aid?
The U.S. Department of Education processes FAFSA applications quickly.
Usually, you’ll receive a notification within 7 to 10 business days after submitting your FAFSA electronically.
This notification confirms that your application has been processed. It won’t, however, include any details about your financial aid eligibility.
When Will I Learn About My student aid Award Package?
Your financial aid award package isn’t determined by the federal government.
Instead, each college you listed on your FAFSA will use the information you provided to assess your eligibility for their specific financial aid programs.
This process can take longer, with a timeframe varying depending on several factors:
- FAFSA Submission Date: Earlier submissions allow colleges more time to evaluate your application before finalizing their financial aid packages.
- College Processing Time: Each college has its internal deadlines and procedures for reviewing FAFSAs and determining aid awards. Some colleges operate on a rolling basis, meaning they process applications and award aid as they are received. Others may have specific deadlines for financial aid consideration.
- Number of FAFSA Applications: Colleges receive a high volume of FAFSAs each year. This can lead to delays in processing, especially during peak application periods.
Here’s a general timeframe for receiving information about your award package:
- Early Applicants: If you submitted your FAFSA application before the college’s application deadline, you might receive your award package notification as early as December or January.
- Standard Applicants: Most students can expect to hear about their financial aid award between February and April. This coincides with the time colleges send out admissions decisions.
How Will I Be Notified About My student aid Award?
Colleges usually notify students about their financial aid awards through email or mail.
The notification will often direct you to an online portal where you can view your complete financial aid award letter in detail.
This letter will outline:
- Total Cost of Attendance (COA): This includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other educational expenses.
- Types of Aid Awarded: The letter will specify the types of financial aid you’re eligible for, such as federal grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans.
- Award Amounts: The letter will detail the specific dollar amounts associated with each type of financial aid you’ve been awarded.
If you haven’t received any information about your student aid award by mid-April, it’s wise to follow up with the financial aid office at each college you applied to.