Apply for Aid

​2026-27 FAFSA Application is Now Available

We strongly encourage you to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-27 academic year as soon as possible. Completing the FAFSA is crucial for accessing federal and state financial aid, as well as institutional aid, scholarships, and grants. Submitting the FAFSA early increases your chances of receiving the maximum amount of aid you're eligible for, as some funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus, getting this crucial step out of the way now can help reduce stress as you focus on your studies.

View some videos created by the Department of Education to help you through the FAFSA process. Also, make sure to check your DePaul email for important emails from our office regarding the changes to the FAFSA and the new timeline.

Steps to Apply

  1. Create or Update Your FSA ID: Your FSA ID acts as your legal signature. If you don’t have one, create a FSA ID. If you do, make sure your information is up-to-date.

    When you create your account, be careful to enter your name and Social Security number (SSN) exactly as they appear on your Social Security card. For information about the FSA ID process, view the FSA ID video.

    Every contributor to the FAFSA form (student, the student's spouse, a biological or adopted parent, or the parent's spouse) will need their own FSA ID to access and complete their section of the online form.
     

  2. Complete the FAFSA Form: Visit studentaid.gov to submit your financial aid application.

Make Sure Your FAFSA Form Was Processed

You can track the status of your form at studentaid.gov in the Status Center under “My Activity” section of your account dashboard (you must log in). You will get your FAFSA Submission Summary after your FAFSA form is processed. Look over your FAFSA Submission Summary to make sure you didn’t make a mistake on your FAFSA form. 

Instructional Videos for Completing the FAFSA

We've compiled a selection of videos to assist you with completing the FAFSA. Please take advantage of these resources to help you accurately complete your FAFSA and secure your financial aid. Careful attention to detail can save time and prevent unnecessary errors in your application process.

Requesting Summer Aid

If you plan to enroll in summer courses and need financial aid, here’s what you need to do:

  • Complete the summer application for financial aid in Campus Connect. This application is available beginning in April each year.
  • Additional information about financial aid for the summer is available in our knowledgebase article: How to apply for summer financial aid.

Application Review Process

Once your application is complete, our office reviews the information provided on your FAFSA. We use your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA to determine financial need and offer financial aid. Undergraduate financial aid is usually based on need, defined as Cost of Attendance minus the Student Aid Index (SAI).

The Department of Education may select you at random for a process called verification after completing the FAFSA. If that happens, we will request various documents to substantiate your income. We also may need to request documents if we come across inconsistencies in your application data. We identify and request required documentation in your To-Do List in Campus Connect. For more information select the verification guide for the appropriate academic year:

Your Financial Aid Offer

Federal financial aid is determined by analyzing a student’s “need”, which is your Cost of Attendance minus your SAI. After calculating your need and completing the review of any required documentation from your To-Do list, we will finalize your financial aid offer. An email notification will direct you to Campus Connect so that you can view your financial aid offer.

You must accept, reduce, or decline any loans offered. Aid you are not required to repay is already accepted on your behalf. Download the Financial Aid Guide to learn more about merit aid, grant aid, and student loans.

We package financial aid throughout the academic year. If you have any questions, contact us for assistance.

Need to Appeal Your Circumstances?

If you’re experiencing financial challenges or significant changes in your financial circumstances, you have the option to submit an appeal. This process allows us to review your financial aid eligibility based on your current situation so we can reassess your financial aid.

Special Circumstance Appeal

There are two types of special circumstance appeals:

  • Income/Expense, and
  • Non-Income/Non-Expense 

For more details and instructions, please visit our Forms page.

Unusual Circumstance

When completing a FAFSA, several questions are asked to determine a student’s dependency status. In some cases, a student who the FAFSA determines to be a dependent student may be experiencing specific conditions which may justify an aid administrator making a change to their dependency status. A parent’s inability or disinterest in assisting a student in paying for college is not in and of itself a reason for a dependency override; however, if you have unusual circumstances, please contact us so we can discuss your situation in greater detail.

Submitting a special or unusual circumstance appeal does not guarantee an increase in your financial aid. We will review your situation to determine if any further aid can be made available, and this may result in additional loan options. If you were selected for verification, that process must be finished before your appeal can be reviewed. We must receive all necessary documentation before we can begin assessing your appeal.