Red Hawk Central
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Financial Aid

Montclair State University does not use or require the College Board CSS Profile.

Financial aid includes scholarships, grants, loans and work-study from federal, state and institutional sources. Applying for financial aid reduces the out-of-pocket cost of a college education to help make it an affordable reality. If your College Financing Plan/NEST indicates that you are eligible for any federal or state funding for the 2025-26 year, be advised that your eligibility status and aid amounts are an estimate. Both your eligibility status and award amounts are subject to change for reasons including, but not limited to, funding of these programs by the federal or state legislatures, actual tuition charges, actual enrollment status, cost of attendance and verification of your financial aid application.

Our aim is to provide clear options to assist you to stay enrolled and continue your college experience. The information below is meant to serve as a guide for you as you assess your personal financial situation now and in the future. All undergraduate and graduate students may explore the options described on the financial aid pages.

Things to Know about FAFSA

 

How has the FAFSA Changed?

Some of the changes to the FAFSA include:

  • A streamlined form with less questions you have to answer and how long it takes you to complete the application.
  • The use of consent for the US Department of Education to import your (or your spouse’s or parents’) tax information instead of you having to manual import it.
  • The Student Aid Index (SAI) is used to determine your financial aid eligibility.
Do I Need a New FSA ID for the FAFSA?

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 create one first. You will have to wait three days to receive your valid FSA ID.

Who Is Considered the Parent on the FAFSA?

The ‘parent’ that should be included on the FAFSA is the parent(s) who provided the majority of the student’s support over the 12 months prior to filing the FAFSA, even if the student does not live with that parent. There is a ‘Parent Wizard’ to help you determine which parent(s) are included on the FAFSA.

Does My Parent Need a FSA ID?

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.

My Parent(s) Does Not Have a Social Security number. How Do They Get an FSA ID?

How To Submit the 2024–25 FAFSA Form if Your Contributor Doesn’t Have an SSN

I Have Filed My FAFSA, What Happens Now?

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).

What If I Cannot Provide My Parent(s) Information?

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.

What If I Have To Make A Correction?

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

What If I Have Problems Submitting The FAFSA?

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 Email at https://fsapartners.ed.gov/help-center/contact-customer-support

Can a Parent Fill Out Both the Student Section and the Parent Section of the FAFSA?

The 2024-25 FAFSA is now role-based and requires a student and/or parent complete their own sections using their own unique FSA IDs. The student should complete their section, then invite their parent as a contributor.

What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?

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.

Still have questions? Come see us in person at Red Hawk Central, email redhawkcentral@montclair.edu or call 973-655-7600.