You must apply for financial aid each year by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The 2024-2025 FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible after it opens in December 2023 (date has not yet been announced). The FAFSA filing deadline for maximum aid consideration is February 1, 2024.
The 2023-2024 FAFSA is still available for the current academic year. As long as you're still enrolled, you will have until June 30, 2024 to apply for 2023-2024 financial aid.
Offers are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Although you can apply for financial aid throughout the year, funding for some programs may be depleted. You may meet the qualifications for certain types of aid, but not be offered that aid because the funding has run out.
Complete the FAFSA online.
- You may want to print a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet. The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet allows you to read and complete the FAFSA questions prior to entering your information online.
- A Federal School Code (also known as a Title IV Institution Code) is needed to complete the FAFSA. The University of Iowa Federal School Code is 001892.
- When completing the FAFSA, we recommend that you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your tax information directly from the IRS onto your FAFSA.
You will need to use your FSA ID (a user name and password) when completing the FAFSA on the web. Both you and your parent will each need their own FSA ID. The FSA ID serves as an identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems. You can create a FSA ID when you log into the studentaid.gov website.
The Office of Student Financial Aid will receive the results from your FAFSA within one to two weeks.
If you are unable to complete the FAFSA on the web, you can either
- print a PDF version of the FAFSA (available at studentaid.gov)
- download the myStudentAid app from the Google Play store or Apple App store
- obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll-free at 1-800-433-3243
The Office of Student Financial Aid will receive the results from your PDF or paper FAFSA approximately three to four weeks after it is mailed to the federal processor.
A Student Aid Tips website has been developed by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) to help federal student aid applicants in unique situations [e.g. single parents, Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) recipients, wards of the court, foster youth, etc.] answer specific questions on the FAFSA. NASFAA has also composed a list of Tips & Common Mistakes To Avoid when filing the FAFSA.
If you have questions when completing the FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid office via phone, live chat, or email. You may also contact Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance in completing your FAFSA.