How to Apply for Financial Aid

If you are interested in being considered for any type of financial aid, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should file the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 of the year before you will be enrolled. The FAFSA will serve as your application for federal, state and institutional aid.

How to fill out the FAFSA form

FAFSA FILING TIPS

Here are some tips to remember when filling out your 2024-25 FAFSA:

• You should access the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
  – Be sure to use the 2024-25 form.
• If you find yourself unable to continue with completing the online FAFSA due to extenuating circumstances or missing required information, please contact the Caldwell University Financial Aid Office at welcome2financialaid@caldwell.edu or 973-618- 3221. You may be required to complete a paper version of the FAFSA.
  – While the FAFSA offers a federal processor’s Customer Help Line, we have been advised that they are only directing filers to send questions via email.
  – The Caldwell University Financial Aid Office will have extended hours until 6:00 p.m. ET on Mondays and Tuesdays weekly.
• Be sure to work on the FAFSA together with your parent(s).
• Follow the instructions on the form carefully, and one at a time. There are information icons at the end of the questions for your reference.
• Be sure to use the income figures for the parent who claims you on their taxes.
• In order to apply for federal aid (Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, work study, and all federal direct loans AND Caldwell University funds), both you and your parents must:
  – Approve the transfer of the income figures from the 2022 federal tax forms of both the student and the parent(s)

• Before you file, be sure to add Caldwell University’s federal school code to your form,
  which is 002598.
• Once we receive the processed results from your FAFSA, you should expect to receive
  your Financial Aid Notice in approximately four weeks after we receive the processed
  FAFSA results.
  – NOTE: The federal government has estimated that first results will be released at
  the end of March.

GET AN FSA ID AND PASSWORD

Both the dependent student and one parent must have an FSA ID and Password that will serve as the student and parent’s electronic signature for all federal aid programs. FSA ID’s can be obtained at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. Skip this step if you already have an FSA ID and Password.

COMPLETE THE FAFSA FILING ONLINE

• Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and follow the instructions provided
• We recommend you print out the Pre-Application Worksheet on the FAFSA Web site before completing your application.
• In the information-release section of the FAFSA, enter Caldwell University and our federal school code of 002598.

COMPLETING A PAPER APPLICATION

Please note that the Federal Government will no longer provide paper applications to College Financial Aid Offices after 2010-2011. To obtain a paper application please call 1-800-433-3243.

• Mail the completed FAFSA to the address listed in the FAFSA brochure.
• In the information-release section of the FAFSA, enter Caldwell University and our federal school code of 002598.

REVIEW YOUR SAR

You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education approximately 3 weeks after you mail the FAFSA. If you filed your FAFSA online, your SAR will be emailed to you, so make sure to add an e-mail to the application. The SAR summarizes the data you reported on the FAFSA. It is important to review your SAR for accuracy. Corrections can be made online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa by using your PIN. If you are a dependent student, your parent must also sign the correction. Keep the mailed copy or print out the SAR for your records.

VERIFICATION

We will advise you if additional information and/or documents are needed to complete your financial aid application. To prevent delays in awarding aid, it is important that you respond in a timely manner.
Click “Financial Aid Forms” to see forms available to print.
Please call the Office of Financial Aid (973-618-3221) if you have any questions about a letter you receive.

READ YOUR AWARD LETTER

Please call the Office of Financial Aid (973-618-3221) if you have any questions about your award letter.

GET SCHOOLED

Get more information about FAFSA application process through GetSchooled.com.