The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is used by colleges and the federal government to determine your eligibility for grants, need-based scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
At Queens, we know navigating financial aid can be tough. The current challenges related to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have only made it tougher. What you can be sure of is that Queens is here to support you. Our team of financial aid experts are on top of all of the ongoing changes, and our enrollment team is ready to walk you and your family through each step of the process.
Some students and families are facing challenges with the FAFSA website, and it can be unclear if your FAFSA has been received and processed by the Department of Education. A list of known FAFSA issues and reaching out directly to Federal Student Aid are a great way to get your questions answered.
As soon as the Department releases FAFSA data to Queens, we will be able to communicate with you directly on the status of your submission.
Due to inadvertent errors in the Department of Education’s calculations of a student’s Student Aid Inex (SAI), Federal Student Aid will be reprocessing around 20% of all submitted FAFSAs. This reprocessing will have different impacts for different students, and some students may see changes to their eligible financial aid. If your FAFSA is reprocessed, you will receive communication from the Department of Education. While you may receive updates from Queens if there are changes to your federal or state financial aid, you can be confident that any Queens need-based aid that you have already been offered will not be reduced as a result of the reprocessed FAFSA.
While it may seem overwhelming, the FAFSA is as simple as following prompts and answering a few questions. The application opens each year on October 1. Each school and some states have their own priority deadlines as well. Check out our helpful information and video instructions!