How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?

• If yes, then report information for both parents on the FAFSA. 
• If no, then answer question 2. 

• If yes, then report information for both parents on the FAFSA, even if they were never married, are divorced, or are separated. 
• If no, then answer question 3. 

• If yes, then report information on the FAFSA for the parent you lived with more. Also, if this parent remarried, you will need to report information for your stepparent on the FAFSA. 
• If no, then report information on the FAFSA for the parent who provided more financial support over the past 12 months or in the last year you received support. Also, if this parent remarried, you will need to report information for your stepparent on the FAFSA. 

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows applicants who have already filed their federal income tax returns to prefill the answers to some questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by transferring data from their federal income tax returns. This can save the family some time in completing the FAFSA. It may also reduce the likelihood that your FAFSA will be selected for verification.

In order to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool applicants must have a valid Social Security Number and FSA ID to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The applicant will need to authenticate himself or herself to the IRS in order to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Students and parents must use the tool separately for their respective income tax returns.

You will not be able to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if you are an independent applicant is married and files separate federal income tax returns or a dependent applicant's parents are married and file separate federal income tax returns (e.g., married filing separately or head of household), the applicant will not be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Also, if there has been a change in the marital status of the applicant or parent (if the applicant is a dependent student) after the end of the tax year, the applicant will not be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.  It’s also important to note that the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will only transfer information from an original income tax return and not an amended income tax return.  Finally, Applicants who have filed a foreign income tax return instead of or in addition to a US income tax return will be unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. For example, taxpayers who file both a US income tax return and a Puerto Rican tax return will be unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Also, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is available only to taxpayers who have a valid Social Security number. Taxpayers who file income tax returns using a Tax ID Number (TIN) will not be able to use the tool.

Students and parents who are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) can access it from within the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the student or parent finances pages:

1. Click Link To IRS. (Note: If you have already used the IRS DRT to transfer your tax return information into your application, click the "View option to link to the IRS" hyperlink.)
2. Enter your FSA ID. (Note: The person whose tax information is being transferred should enter his or her own FSA ID. Students will not be asked to enter their FSA ID if they entered an FSA ID to begin their FAFSA.)
3. Your FAFSA will be saved and you will be transferred to the IRS Web site.
4. On the IRS Web site, enter the requested information exactly as it appears on your tax return. If you get an error that there's no match, double check your information, including the exact mailing address on your return.
5. Once authenticated with the IRS, you will be provided with information surrounding your IRS tax information. You can either transfer your information from the IRS, or choose to return to FAFSA on the Web.

If you use the IRS DRT to transfer your tax return information from the IRS, the information will not display on your FAFSA. For your protection, the answer to each question is replaced with "Transferred from the IRS."

October 1 - The first step when applying for federal student aid (and state aid) is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Fill out your FAFSA, available starting October 1st, at the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website, using school code 002091.

Keep in mind that priority funding at SU and most state gift aid (including Maryland) requires you to complete the FAFSA no later than March 1. Your FAFSA results will automatically be sent SU for processing.

December 1 - Check out SU's Academic Works scholarship website to explore other institutional scholarship opportunities.  Sign in with your GullNet user name and password.  Once signed-in, follow the instructions to begin the application process.

March 1 drop down- Change it to June 1-MHEC has extended the Maryland financial aid deadline to submit the 24-25 FAFSA to JUNE 1, 2024. However, students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1, 2024 to receive notification of eligibility by April 15, 2024.

Also under Important Dates! please remove Fall 2022/Spring 2023 and add Fall 2024/Spring 2024-The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for students attending college in 2024-2025 (Fall 2024/Spring 2025) is available now.

March 1 - This is the last day to submit your FAFSA for priority institutional scholarships and Maryland state aid.

May 15 - This is SU's deposit deadline for admission to the University.

June - Current students will begin to receive their financial aid award packages with their eligible award amounts based on their academic background, need and FAFSA results.  Keep an eye on your GullNet "To-Do" list and your campus email account for any additional requirements necessary to assess your eligibility for federal student aid.  If these items are not addressed it may affect the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive as a student at SU.   Keep in mind, students must actively accept their student aid awards in GullNet if they wish to receive federal student aid at SU.

Mid-June - Freshman orientation takes place.  You'll get to visit campus, talk with your academic advisors, pick your classes and get some face-time with the Financial Aid, Housing and many other departments at SU.

Mid-July - Fall semester bills distributed via email to the student’s SU email account.

August - Welcome to SU and the start of classes!