Steps to Apply

Complete your FAFSA

Complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA must be completed annually to receive Financial Aid.

An FSA ID is required so that you may electronically sign the FAFSA. Apply for an FSA ID now!

Indiana residents applying for state aid must submit their FAFSA no later than April 15th for the following academic year.

If you file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we will automatically consider you for federal and state grants and federal loans.

If you wish to be considered for Federal Work-Study please select your interest when completing the FAFSA.

Our Grants and Scholarships sections list additional awards that either require a separate application or are based on your Admissions information.

A note about dependency

Your dependency status is determined by a group of dependency questions on the FAFSA. If you can’t answer “yes” to any of the questions, you’ll be considered dependent and advised to supply parental information on your FAFSA.

You’re considered to be a dependent if you:

  • Are under 24 years old
  • Are not a graduate or professional student
  • Are not a veteran or member of the armed forces
  • Are not an orphan or ward of the court
  • Are not homeless or at risk for becoming homeless
  • Are not an emancipated minor

If you do not meet the above criteria, but have extenuating circumstances, such as abuse or neglect, that prevent you from obtaining parental information, you may complete a Dependency Status Appeal Form.

If your parent refuses to include their information on the FAFSA, you may complete the Federal Unsubsidized Student Loan Request With No Parental Data Appeal form.  Contact Student Central at sesc@iu.edu to request the form. Please note that it is recommended that you review the Unusual Circumstance / Dependency Appeal to determine if you are eligible to file that appeal as it is more beneficial to a student than requesting unsubsidized student loans only.