How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
The 2025-2026 FAFSA opens 12/1/2024
Apply at the FAFSA Website
Make sure to complete the application prior to March 1, 2025, to be considered for priority aid.
Financial Aid Timeline
December 2024
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens for the 2025-2026 academic year. Please make sure to add SU’s school code 002091.
On December 1st, the SU Scholarship Website will open for all current and admitted students. Sign in with your GullNet user name and password. Once signed-in, follow the instructions to begin the application process.
Early 2025
SU will begin to receive submitted FAFSA data from the Department of Education.
March 2025
In order to be considered for priority aid, you must submit your FAFSA by March 1st.
Newly admitted students who have completed their FAFSA will receive their Estimated Financial Aid Offer from our Financial Aid Office via email and U.S. mail. This information will also be available in your Admissions Status Portal.
June 2025
Returning students will receive an Estimated Financial Aid Offer via email from the Financial Aid Office. This information will be located in students GullNet portal.
FAFSA Form
- If you don’t already have a StudentAid.gov account (formerly FSA ID), you will need to create a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) before filling out the FAFSA form. Contributors must have their own, unique, StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) as well.
- Have your documents ready.
- Students, have your contributor information ready.
- You (the student) should complete your section of the form first.
- Make sure to read all questions and definitions carefully.
- Consult in-form resources if you need help.
- Don't forget to review, sign and submit the form!
Cómo llenar el formulario FAFSA (Spanish)
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form can be a straightforward and easy process. Click the link above to learn more about starting your FAFSA form, listing colleges, determining your dependency status, reporting parent/spouse information, etc.
What you'll need to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA® Form
- StudentAid.gov account (students and contributors must each have their own account)
- Your Social Security number (unless you are a citizen of the Freely Associated States)
- Your 2023 tax records
- Records of your assets, including any child support received; current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts; and net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
- Your contributor's information, including their name, date of birth, Social Security number (if they have one), and email address
- The list of schools you're applying to (if you're a high school senior) or your current school's name
FAFSA Parent Wizard
A student may need to ask their parent(s) to provide information on their FAFSA form based on the student’s dependency status. The FAFSA Parent Wizard helps determine which parent(s) should contribute to a student’s FAFSA form.
FAFSA Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
The best way to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is early, online and without any mistakes. Click the link above to learn more about applying online, what you need to complete the FAFSA and how to avoid common errors. If you aren’t yet ready to file a FAFSA, the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Estimator can help you estimate your eligibility for federal student aid by providing some basic information.
Stay Informed
Follow Federal Student Aid on social media for resources and announcements
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube (informational videos – Federal Student Aid)
- YouTube (educational webinars – Federal Student Aid Outreach)
Resources
Federal Student Aid Estimator - With this tool, students can find out how much federal student aid they may be eligible for the 2025-2026 academic award year. This estimator is not the actual FAFSA form.
FAFSA Checklist for 2025/2026 - Follow these steps to fill out the FAFSA each year to apply for most types of financial aid.
Financial Aid Checklist - Follow these steps in your senior year of high school to apply for financial aid. Deadlines vary by state and college so complete the steps when you can, even if it’s past the suggested timing.
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Scholarship & Grant Deadlines – MHEC has a complete list of scholarship/grant programs on their website.
SU Award Notification Guides
Check out SU's Undergraduate Notification Guides for more information on financial aid at SU: