Financial Aid

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone – we’re here to support you every step of the way. Explore the financial aid resources here to see how scholarships, grants, loans and work-study options can help put your Montclair education truly within reach!

When it comes to paying for college, financial aid can make a huge difference. Aid can come in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study, and it’s available from federal, state, and University sources. Applying for financial aid can help lower your out-of-pocket costs making earning your degree more affordable. 

If your College Financing Plan or student portal account shows that you qualify for federal or state aid for the 2026–27 academic year, please keep in mind that these amounts are estimates. Your eligibility and final award amounts may change based on things like government funding, your actual tuition charges, how many credits you take, your cost of attendance, or the verification of your financial aid application. 

Our goal is to give you clear options that help you stay on track and continue your college journey with confidence. The information below is here to guide you as you think about your financial plans – now and in the future. All undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to explore the resources on our website. 

Good news – Montclair doesn’t require the College Board CSS Profile for financial aid consideration, making the application process simpler and more accessible for you. 

  • The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available. Please file your FAFSA as soon as possible.
  • The 2026-27 FAFSA is available now at studentaid.gov.
  •  If you received an NJ TAG Grant in the 2025-26 academic year, you must file your 2026-27 FAFSA before April 15, 2026.
  • New Jersey HESAA (Higher Education Student Assistance Authority) is offering FAFSA completion webinars. Join a Webinar Today!

Affordability at Montclair

77%

More than 77% of Montclair undergrads receive some form of financial assistance, significantly reducing their total cost of attendance.

Why We’re a Top Choice for Value

Things to Know about the FAFSA

Some of the changes to the FAFSA include:

  • A streamlined form with fewer questions to answer so it takes less time to complete the application.
  • Student/Parent contributors electronically consent to the U.S. Department of Education importing your (and/or your spouse’s or parents’) tax information instead of manually answering these questions.
  • The Student Aid Index (SAI) is used to determine your financial aid eligibility.

If you already have an FSA ID, you will use that one. If you have any difficulty remembering or accessing that ID, please see the studentaid.gov website to retrieve your ID or reset your password.

If you do not have an FSA ID, you will need to create one first. You may have to wait three days to receive your valid FSA ID.

The “parent” included on the FAFSA is the parent(s) who provided the majority of your support over the 12 months prior to filing the FAFSA, even if you do not live with that parent. There is a “Parent Wizard” to help you determine which parent(s) are included on the FAFSA.

Yes. If your parent(s)/step-parent does not already have an FSA ID, they need to obtain their own FSA ID at studentaid.gov. It can take three days for the request to be processed.

How To Submit the 2025–26 FAFSA Form if Your Contributor Doesn’t Have an SSN

Check the status of your form starting in late January by logging into your studentaid.gov account and selecting your FAFSA submission in the “My Activity” section of the dashboard. Once ready, your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) including preliminary aid eligibility information will be emailed to you in late mid March (this is an approximate timeline).

Complete the FAFSA with your information and indicate that you have unusual circumstances (there is a check-off box). Once the Financial Aid Office begins to receive and process FAFSA results (mid-March), you will be contacted to submit documents to continue the FAFSA process.

How To Correct or Update Your FAFSA® Form | Federal Student Aid

Please contact the FSA Help Desk at the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

Their hours of operation are:

  • Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Eastern time (ET)
  • Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Closed on all federal holidays.

OR send them an email at Contact Customer Support.

The 2025-26 FAFSA is now role-based and requires a student and/or parent to complete their own sections using their own unique FSA IDs. The student should complete their section, then invite their parent(s) to complete their section.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is used to determine the amount of need-based financial aid a student is eligible to receive. The SAI more accurately reflects the amount of financial aid a student is eligible to receive.

You have the right to refuse any offered aid (grants, scholarship, loans). Please be aware that declining any form of aid will increase the amount due on your bill. Montclair State University recommends that you speak with the staff in Red Hawk Central before you decide to decline any aid. If you wish to decline a loan, you may do so via your NEST student portal. However, if you wish to decline/refuse grants or scholarships, you must submit a signed, dated letter indicating which fund(s) (e.g. Pell, TAG, etc.) you wish to decline. Please note that this must be sent from your Montclair State University email and can be submitted to redhawkcentral@montclair.edu.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.