Begin Applying for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Apply online
To obtain federal, state, and institutional financial aid (including many scholarships) you must complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Start the process as early as possible when making plans for your education. To prepare for completing the FAFSA, several sites like Fastweb, NerdWallet and the Department of Education have checklists of items you will need in order to complete the FAFSA.
If you have already completed your IRS Tax Returns, the application will allow you to obtain the income information directly from the IRS. List Santa Fe's federal school code of 001519 and your housing plans in step six. If you leave your housing plans blank, you will be awarded financial aid based on a commuter budget. SF will receive an electronic file with your FAFSA information that will be used in awarding your aid. If you need help in transmitting the information, first complete the FAFSA on the Web worksheet and visit the Computer Lab in R-226 for assistance.
FAFSA Application Process
The federal processor must receive all required signatures, including parents for dependent students, to send results to the schools indicated on your application. After the FAFSA is processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) through the mail or the Internet. Review the SAR for accuracy; if correct, keep it for your records. If incorrect, make the necessary corrections electronically by accessing the "Make corrections to a processed FAFSA" link at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by mail if you received a hard copy. You must send the corrected SAR back to the processor.
The College will receive an electronic file of the information from your FAFSA, and will update your eSantaFe student portal if additional information is needed.
To be eligible for financial aid, you must prove financial need.
How is need determined?
The financial aid information you and your family provide on the FAFSA is analyzed by the federal processor to determine the expected family contribution (EFC). Family contribution is the amount you and your family should be able to pay toward your cost of education. Need is the difference between the amount you and your family can contribute and the cost to attend the college of your choice. The primary responsibility for paying for your education belongs to you and your family.
- Cost of Attendance
- Expected Family Contribution
- Financial Need
Award Notification
If you meet requirements for financial aid, you will receive an important notice in eSantaFe. Once there, click on "My Financial Aid" and then "view award". Here you will find the types and amounts of aid offered, specific program information, your responsibilities, and the conditions that govern the award.