APPLYING FOR AID
Deadlines
Is there a deadline?
YES! You have to reapply for student financial aid every year, and you should always try to meet our priority deadline of March 1 for the the next academic year beginning in September. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at the U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA Web site as early as January 1 each year. ( If you prefer to complete a paper FAFSA you can request one by calling 1-800-4FED-AID.)
Complete your FAFSA by January 31 to allow time for the U.S. Department of Education to process your application by the March 1 priority deadline.
What is a "priority" deadline?
The priority deadline of March 1 is the date by which you must have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the U.S. Department of Education. We offer aid first to all students whose applications meet the March 1 deadline.
Applications received after the priority deadline are processed on a rolling basis. Because we work with limited funds in the campus-based federal and university programs, all of the need-based grant aid will go to eligible students who meet the priority deadline. Aid offers made after the priority deadline will contain only direct aid, such as Pell Grant (for exceptionally needy students who qualify), and loans from the Federal Direct Loan programs.
How can I apply early?
We know it may be inconvenient to apply for aid in January before you complete your income tax returns. Use the income records (W2's, end of year bank and investment statements, etc.) that you have in January to carefully estimate your Adjusted Gross Income and asset information. If you find differences when you prepare your income tax return, you can correct the information on your application at the U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA Web site.
Can I apply for aid after the deadline?
Yes! We accept applications for aid after the priority deadline and throughout the academic year. However, you may not receive as much aid as you would by meeting the March 1 deadline.
If I did not meet the priority deadline what is the "final deadline?"
To receive aid for the fall term, we must receive your completed FAFSA results from the U.S. Department of Education by November 15 of that term. If you are applying for aid for the full academic year (fall and spring) or for the spring term only, we must receive your FAFSA results from the U.S. Department of Education by April 15 of the spring term.
You must complete your FAFSA at least 4 weeks ahead of the deadline to allow time for the U.S. Department of Education to process your FAFSA and send the results electronically to the university.
Financial Aid Office
Enrollment Services, Room 339
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Reception Desk)
Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Financial Aid Call Center)
1-888-4TOWSON (toll free)
Phone: 410-704-4236
Fax: 410-704-2584
E-mail: finaid@towson.edu
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