Step 1: Complete Federal Tax Return as Soon as Possible After October 1
All students are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid. In our experience, those families that do not apply for financial aid would often be eligible for some assistance.
In addition, students who wish to borrow through the Federal Direct Loan Program must still complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
We recommend that you file your federal tax return(s) as soon as possible, so you can take advantage of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will help you complete your FAFSA faster and more accurately. It is available for those who submit a FAFSA online and will allow you to pull parent (where applicable) and student (where applicable) tax-filing information directly from the IRS onto your FAFSA.
Note: If you are not eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you will still find the FAFSA much easier to complete with complete federal tax return data.
The University's Title IV School Code to be used on the FAFSA is 003296.
You must renew your FAFSA each year.
For Returning Students
Returning students are encouraged to file the FAFSA by April 15th for consideration of need-based programs.
The financial aid review process for returning students begins upon the completion of the spring semester, at which time academic progress is evaluated.
Students who wish to borrow a Federal Direct Loan will automatically be reviewed for the loan.
Students' parents applying for a PLUS loan must renew the request annually by going through a credit check and requesting a new loan at www.studentaid.gov. PLUS borrowers are encouraged to wait until July 1st to complete their PLUS application request.
Alternative/Private Loans must be reapplied for annually starting in June. Interested borrowers should go to www.elmselect.com for additional and comparative information on private education loan products.
Apply for the PLUS and Alternative Loans for the full academic year.
Step 2: Create an FSA ID
- All students completing a FAFSA need to create an FSA ID
- If the student is a dependent student, at least one parent must also create an FSA ID.
- Click here to create an FSA ID.
- The FSA ID is used to sign the FAFSA electronically each year.
- The FSA ID is also used to:
- Electronically sign Master Promissory Notes (MPN)
- Review and correct information on the student’s FAFSA
- Reapply for student aid every year, and
- View information about federal loans and grants you have received.
Step 3: Submit the FAFSA
All students who wish to be considered for federal aid, state and institutional need-based financial aid must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
School Code: 003296
- The FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA should be completed online as soon as possible after October 1 for the upcoming academic year.
- The priority filing date for incoming freshmen to file the FAFSA is December 15th.
- Students who submit the FAFSA by the priority filing date are given first consideration for all need-based assistance awarded and administered by the university.
Step 4: Check Your Email for FAFSA Results and Errors
If you provided a valid social security number and email address, you will receive an email notification with instructions for viewing and printing your Student Aid Report (SAR).
The SAR is notification of your application and eligibility status and provides a means of correcting and confirming your application data. If you did not provide a valid email address or a valid social security number a paper SAR will be mailed to you.
Check your SAR for accuracy and make sure that Marywood University is listed as a recipient of your information. As long as Marywood University is listed as a recipient of your data, that information should be transmitted electronically to the institution for review.
Step 5: Submit Additional Requested Documentation Promptly
If you were selected for verification or other documentation has been requested by the Financial Aid Office, we strongly recommend that you respond within 14 days of the date of our request.
Failure to do so could result in delays, reductions, and cancellation of your aid. Some of the most common reasons for additional documentation requests include but are not limited to;
- Verification
- Selective service registration
- Proof of social security number and/or date of birth
- Veteran status
- Proof of citizenship
Step 6: Submit the Scholarship Notification Form for Outside Scholarships
If you expect to receive any outside assistance or scholarships (any funding not administered by Marywood University and not on your Financial Aid Award Letter), you must report that aid to the Financial Aid Office immediately. Outside scholarships and assistance should be reported using the Scholarship Notification Form.
