FAFSA: What You Need To Know

Resources

Latest Updates

• Attention Graduates! Visit our Exit Counseling page and view a ton of resources for you and/or your parent as you enter repayment.
• Complete your FAFSA with us over Zoom. Reach out at sfs@alvernia.edu to schedule your appointment.
• PA State Residents: GrantUs is up and running! If you’ve received a PA State Grant in the past or if you’re new to filling out the FAFSA, review your account and update your profile now.  
• Students who are legal residents of Iowa, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and who were previously eligible to transfer their FAFSA information directly into their state aid application will be directed to a state-approved URL to complete their state applications separately.

Scholarships

• Berks County Community Foundation (for Berks County students only)
• Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program
• Pennsylvania Association for College Admissions Counseling (PACAC)
• The Sallie Mae Fund
• Sallie Mae Fund’s Bridging the Dream Scholarship
• Fastweb: Find scholarships for college
• College Ave: Scholarships & Sweepstakes
• Discover Scholarship Award
• Voyager Scholarship
• Finaid scholarships
• Scholarship America
• The Foundation For Enhancing Communities
• BigFuture
• SoFi scholarship sweepstakes
• Scholly
• Nelnet Bank scholarship search tool
• SmartBorrowing
• PNC Student Solution Scholarship

Helpful Links and Webinars

• NEW: The Higher Ed Immigration Portal integrates data, policy analysis, and resources to support DACA and undocumented, refugee, other immigrant, and international students.
• NEW: 2025-26 FAFSA - National College Attainment Network
• NEW: Navigating the Better FAFSA - EdTrust
• NEW: FAFSA Simplification Web Center
• 2025-26 FAFSA Guide
• FAFSA deadline by state
• What is FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID?
• FAFSA Help
• Who counts as a parent on the FAFSA form?
• uAspire financial aid virtual events
• Financial aid programs available to out-of-state students through state education agencies
• Federal Student Aid estimator based on the new Student Aid Index (SAI)
• College Affordability and Transparency Center

Helpful Articles

• 6 Things Students Need Before They Fill Out the FAFSA Form
• Pro Tips for the FAFSA Form
• Financial Aid 101
• 5 Steps to Financial Aid
• FAFSA: Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Aid In The News

Federal Grant & Loan Programs

At the end of April 2025, the House released an initial bill through the reconciliation process that proposes changes to:

• Financial need determination: Currently based on Cost of Attendance less SAI, it would update to a median national Cost of Attendance.
• Federal Pell Grant program: Full time would drop from 15 to 12 credits per term, Pell for students attending less than half time would be eliminated, and general eligibility would be expanded.
• Federal Direct loans: Undergraduate subsidized loans and the graduate PLUS loan program would be eliminated, with new aggregate borrowing limits for federal loans.

Any updated regulations passed by the House would need to be considered by the Senate, which may not make decisions as quickly. It’s thought that any changes would be effective starting with the 2026-2027 academic year.

 

Federal Repayment program changes

• Please see the Federal Student Aid website for the most up-to-date info on the federal repayment programs.
   

Financial Aid Timeline

The key to financing your education is to plan early and keep your options open. The more you know about how financial aid works, the better prepared you will be to pay for college programs. The following timeline will help prospective undergraduate families. If there are any questions, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 610-796-8201 or sfs@alvernia.edu. Documents may be faxed to 610-796-8336.
 

August to October

• Apply to Alvernia University via our online portal or The Common Application (be sure to list Alvernia as one of your schools).
• Schedule an individual visit to campus or join us for one of many Admissions Visit Events.
• Take the SAT or ACT.
• All contributors to the FAFSA should sign up for an FSA ID. FSA ID’s are linked to your Social Security number and may take from 1-3 days to validate. It’s best to have your FSA ID validated before filling out the FAFSA.
   

December to May

• Complete the FAFSA online. For the 2025-26 academic year, the FAFSA should be available starting December 1. To do this you will refer to your prior-prior year’s Federal Tax Return. Be sure to write down your personal FSA ID for future logins to your account.
• PA State Residents: Be sure to complete your FAFSA by May 1 to be considered for the PA State Grant. Residents of states other than PA: Please check your state’s FAFSA filing deadline and if they consider reciprocal grants.
• Apply for scholarships. Confirmed students may use their Alvernia logins to use the Scholarship Universe search tool.
• Confirm your Alvernia University enrollment by sending your confirmation form and deposit to the Admissions Office.
   

June to July

• Sign up for an Alvernia Payment Plan, if you choose.
• Complete all loan applications.
• Pay your fall semester bill.

Updated FAFSA Terminology

 

Previous Terminology	New Terminology
EFC (Expected Family Contribution)	SAI (Student Aid Index)
FSA ID	Studentaid.gov Account
Parent(s); Parent Spouse; Applicant Spouse	Contributors
IDR (Income Data Retrieval) & FAFSA Signature	FTI (Federal Tax Information) and Consent
Room & Board	Housing & Food
Student Aid Report (SAR)	FAFSA Submission Summary

General FAQs

StudentAid.Gov Account (Previously known as FSA ID) 

What is a StudentAid.Gov Account, previously called Federal Student Account Identification (FSA ID)?

When creating a StudentAid.Gov Account, the username and password will be used by students and contributors to access federal student aid websites. If you already created a Federal Student Aid Identification Account (FSA ID) previously, you are good to go! It will be just a change of name.
 

Who needs a StudentAid.gov account, and what is it used for?

All students and contributors must create an account if they are:

• Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form
• Signing your Master Promissory Note (MPN)
• Applying for repayment plans
• Completing loan counseling
• Using the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Help Tool 

How do I create an account?

To create an account, go to StudentAid.gov and click "Get Started." You will need to provide:

• Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
• You will also need to create a memorable username and password and complete challenge questions and answers to retrieve your account information if you forget it.

When should I create an account?

You can create an account at studentaid.gov at any time, but it is recommended that you create it at least a week or two before you start filling out the FAFSA form. This will give you time to verify your account and make sure that it is working properly. New ID’s typically take up to 3 business days to verify.
 

What if I need help creating an FSA ID?

This step-by-step guide can help with detailed information.  Please also see the following quick video.

My parent or spouse doesn't have a Social Security Number (SSN). Would they still be a contributor to my FAFSA?

Yes, starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, your parent or spouse will also be required to create a StudentAid.gov account and verify it. To create a StudentAid.gov account, they can choose the option that allows them to create it without an SSN, and follow instructions.

What is two-step verification and why do I have to set it up for my StudentAid.gov account?

Two-step verification is a security feature that helps protect your StudentAid.gov account from fraud. When you enable two-step verification, you will be required to enter a code from your mobile phone in addition to your username and password when you log in to your account.

Does each contributor need a unique phone number or email for multi-factor authentication?

Yes. Each contributor must have a unique phone number or email for multi-factor authentication. See the FAQ below regarding ‘Contributors’ for more information.

Do both parents need to create an account or just one like before?

This depends on the family's situation. For example, if a student has married parents filing taxes separately, both parents will need to create an account. See the FAQ below regarding ‘Contributors’ for more information.

If Independent and married, does my spouse need to create an account or just one like before?

This depends. If a student if married and files taxes separately, the spouse would be considered a contributor and would need to create an account. See the FAQ below regarding ‘Contributors’ for more information.

What is the impact if the student and parent already have an FSA ID? Do they need to create another StudentAid.Gov account?

None. Just ensure they are verified and ready to use when the FAFSA 2024-25. Please note FSA ID’s expire if unused. Updated or new FSA ID’s take up to 3 business days to verify.
 

What are Contributors on the FAFSA? 

Who are contributors for FAFSA purposes?

A contributor is anyone required to provide consent and approval for obtaining federal tax information needed to complete a student's FAFSA. If applicable, it may include:

• Student
• Student's spouse
• Parent, biological or adopted
• Parent's spouse (stepparent)

Who are not contributors?

The following are not contributors unless they have legally adopted you:

• Grandparents
• Foster parents
• Legal guardians
• Brothers or sisters
• Aunts or uncles 

How are contributors determined?

The student's or parent's answers to certain questions on the FAFSA form will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information.

What do contributors need to provide?

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Email address
• Personal and financial information 

What steps do contributors need to follow?

• Receive an email informing you that you've been identified as a contributor.
• Create a StudentAid.gov account if you don't already have one.
• Log in to your account using your FSA ID account username and password.
• Review information about completing your section of the FAFSA form.
• Provide the required information on the student's FAFSA form. 

What if I am a contributor and don't want to provide my information?

Being a contributor does not implicate financial responsibility. However, if a required contributor refuses to provide their information, it will result in an incomplete FAFSA form, and the student will become ineligible for federal student aid.

In cases where biological parents are not married, who should provide information on the FAFSA?

• The parent who provides the most financial support should complete it.
• If one parent pays child support, that parent should complete the FAFSA if the child support amounts to more than half of the student's support.
• If a dependent student's parents are unmarried and living together, both parents will need to complete the FAFSA as contributors.
• If the parent who provides most financial support is remarried, that parent and the stepparent's income should be on the FAFSA, even if they were not yet married on the requested tax year.
   

What is Consent on the FAFSA?  

Why do I need to provide consent?  

The Future Act requires all contributors on the FAFSA to provide consent to share their tax information with the IRS. This consent is necessary for the Department of Education to request federal tax information from the IRS and to use that information in the federal student aid application process.

What happens if I don't provide consent?  

If you, as a student, or a spouse or parent, don't provide consent on the FAFSA, you will not be eligible for any federal aid.

What happens after someone provides consent, or Federal Taxes Information (FTI) Approval, on the 2024-25 FAFSA?

Providing consent allows the Department of Education to use your name and social security number to match with the IRS so the IRS may share your tax information with the Department of Education to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid.

Do I still need to provide consent if I had a low income and was not required to file taxes or even if I had zero wages?  

Every contributor still needs to provide consent on the FAFSA, so the IRS can confirm to Federal Student Aid (FSA) that you, your parents, or spouse didn't file taxes.

What happens if a contributor does not provide consent?  

Students who have been determined ‘dependent’ and whose contributor does not provide consent will be eligible only for an unsubsidized Stafford loan. Please contact sfs@alvernia.edu for assistance if you have questions about your contributor’s consent.

What happens if a contributor provides consent but doesn't sign the application?  

Starting 2024-25, all parties must complete the FAFSA application online. If a signature is missing, the parent or the contributor that needs to complete their section and/or sign the application must obtain an FSA ID and get into the application and complete their section.  
 

Federal Taxes, Assets & Financial Data  

Will students still be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)?  

No. Starting FAFSA 2024-25, the DRT will no longer exist. Federal Student Aid (FSA) will now directly transfer Federal Tax Information (FTI) from the IRS into the FAFSA form as long as you have provided FSA with the consent to do so.

Will non-custodial parents be contributors if they have not claimed the child on their taxes?  

Yes. Starting with the Simplified FAFSA, students will determine which parent to report based on which one provides the most financial support. The reported parents will provide consent to transfer their taxes data even if they do not claim the student on their taxes.

If parents who are remarried provide more financial support to the child than a biological parent, does the stepparent have to provide their tax information?  

Yes. If the parent providing more financial support is remarried, the stepparent's tax information is required.

What if my parent or stepparent does not want to provide their tax information for my FAFSA?  

We cannot provide tax advice, but our Federal Aid Counselors can offer to talk directly with the parent or stepparent to explain why the Department of Education requires their information. Please email sfs@alvernia.edu for more information.

Can my parent or I self-report our income on FAFSA?  

Yes, but you still need to provide consent. We recommend you choose FAFSA provide your income from IRS taxes. If your situation has changed from the required tax year, please contact our office after you’ve received your completed financial aid offer.

What if I had a low income and was not required to file taxes?  

Students whose parents were not required to file a federal income tax return will automatically receive a SAI of -1500.

Why are assets different on the FAFSA 2024-25?  

Starting 2024–25 award year, some financial information previously considered income or previously excluded from asset reporting will be required as assets instead. These include:

• Annual amount of child support received.
• Net worth of all businesses, regardless of the size or number of employees.
• Net worth of farm including the value of a family farm (family primary's residence is still excluded). This includes the fair market value of land, buildings, livestock, unharvested crops, and machinery actively used in investment farms or agricultural or commercial activities, minus any debts help against those assets.
• For dependent students, education savings accounts will only be counted as parental assets if the account is designated for the student. 
   

Professional Judgment & Appeals 

Learn more at Alvernia's Professional Judgment & Appeals page.
 

First-Time Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Alvernia University! Understanding financial aid and the process is an important part of attending college. 100% of Alvernia University students receive some form of financial aid, and it all starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA has been around since the Higher Education Act of 1965, but over the last two years it has undergone major changes. Since you’re new to the FAFSA, the following FAQs should help you to familiarize yourself with the process and get you started. Feel free to contact our office or your Admissions Counselor with any other questions. We are here to help!

FAFSA Checklist

Have These Documents On Hand

Having the following information and forms on hand will help you fill out the FAFSA:

• Your Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
• Your driver’s license (if any)
• W-2 Forms from two years prior and other records of any money earned
• Your (and/or your parents’) Federal Income Tax Return from two years prior — IRS Form 1040, foreign tax return, or tax return from Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated State of Micronesia
• Any untaxed income records for two years prior — e.g., payments to tax deferred pension and savings plans, tax exempt interest and child support received two years prior
• Records of taxable earnings from Federal Work-Study or other need-based work programs
• Records of any grants, scholarships, and fellowship aid that was included in your or your parents’ adjusted gross income (AGI)
• Any current bank statements
• Any current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bonds and other investment records
• Documentation that you are a U.S. permanent resident or other eligible noncitizen, if applicable
   

Source: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators    

FSA ID/StudentAid.Gov Account

What is a StudentAid.Gov Account, previously called Federal Student Account Identification (FSA ID)?

When creating a StudentAid.Gov Account, the username and password will be used by students and contributors to access federal student aid websites. If you already created a Federal Student Aid Identification Account (FSA ID) previously, you are good to go! It will be just a change of name.
 

Who needs a StudentAid.gov account, and what is it used for?

All students and contributors must create an account if they are:

• Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form
• Signing your Master Promissory Note (MPN) 
• Applying for repayment plans 
• Completing loan counseling 
• Using the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Help Tool 

How do I create an account?

To create an account, go to StudentAid.gov and click "Get Started." You will need to provide:

• Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
• You will also need to create a memorable username and password and complete challenge questions and answers to retrieve your account information if you forget it.

When should I create an account?

You can create an account at studentaid.gov at any time, but it is recommended that you create it at least a week or two before you start filling out the FAFSA form. This will give you time to verify your account and make sure that it is working properly. New ID’s typically take up to 3 business days to verify.
 

What if I need help creating an FSA ID?

This step-by-step guide can help with detailed information.  Please also see the following quick video.

My parent or spouse doesn't have a Social Security Number (SSN). Would they still be a contributor to my FAFSA?

Yes, starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, your parent or spouse will also be required to create a StudentAid.gov account and verify it. To create a StudentAid.gov account, they can choose the option that allows them to create it without an SSN, and follow instructions.

What is two-step verification and why do I have to set it up for my StudentAid.gov account?

Two-step verification is a security feature that helps protect your StudentAid.gov account from fraud. When you enable two-step verification, you will be required to enter a code from your mobile phone in addition to your username and password when you log in to your account.

Does each contributor need a unique phone number or email for multi-factor authentication?

Yes. Each contributor must have a unique phone number or email for multi-factor authentication. See the FAQ below regarding ‘Contributors’ for more information.

Do both parents need to create an account or just one like before?

This depends on the family's situation. For example, if a student has married parents filing taxes separately, both parents will need to create an account. See the FAQ below regarding ‘Contributors’ for more information.

If Independent and married, does my spouse need to create an account or just one like before?

This depends. If a student if married and files taxes separately, the spouse would be considered a contributor and would need to create an account. See the FAQ below regarding ‘Contributors’ for more information.

What is the impact if the student and parent already have an FSA ID? Do they need to create another StudentAid.Gov account?

None. Just ensure they are verified and ready to use when the FAFSA 2024-25. Please note FSA ID’s expire if unused. Updated or new FSA ID’s take up to 3 business days to verify.

FAQs

What is the best way to contact you?

You can send us an email or give us a call at 610-796-8201. Our office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Do I have to be accepted to Alvernia before I apply for financial aid?

No. You may apply before you are accepted, but you will not receive a financial aid offer until you are accepted.

What are my next steps?

• Make sure you and your FAFSA contributors – parents(s), spouses – have a validated FSA/studentaid.gov ID updated. Visit the Federal Student Aid website to log in or create a new account. Validation may take up to 3 business days.
• Make sure you and your contributors (parent(s), spouse) have your federal taxes filed from two years ago. If you need information about filling your taxes, visit the Who Should File a Tax Return page on the IRS website.
• Attend your high school’s financial aid night. Contact your high school guidance office for the next financial aid info session and sign up.
• See the Helpful Links section under Resources above to learn more about Wyatt, the digital FAFSA advisor, and see the Helpful Articles section for additional information.

Does Alvernia have merit scholarships without regard to need?

Yes, merit scholarships are available to undergraduate day students. The list of grants and scholarships that are available can be found on our Scholarships and Awards page.

If I'm going to attend part time, what programs am I eligible for?

Several. These programs may include Pennsylvania State Grant, Pell Grant and loan programs. Eligibility for these programs are determined by acceptance to AU and by filling a valid FAFSA.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Bookmark our Applying for Financial Aid page for useful information.

Do I have to apply for aid every year?

Yes. You must reapply each year if you wish to receive federal, state or institutional need-based financial aid.

Must I pay all at once?

No, however you may pay each semester balance in full, however we cannot take payments for a full award year. Alvernia bills students one semester at a time and you are welcome to use our installment payment plan. For more information on our payment plan, contact the Student Financial Services Office for more information about the payment plan options.

My parents/I don't want to bother filling out the FAFSA because they/I don't think we'll be eligible for anything. Should we skip it?

No, for a number of reasons: eligibility rules are updated each year; Alvernia requires the form for certain institutional aid funds and if you want to work on campus; you just never know what you qualify for, many outside scholarship opportunities will require information from the FAFSA form. Contact our office if you have further questions about including your parents on your FAFSA.

What are my next steps in the admissions process?

Please visit our Admitted Students page to contact your Admissions Counselor. We will be in touch shortly!

Returning Students

Welcome back to Alvernia University! We are happy to see you this year. This year’s FAFSA will again be available in December. The Department of Education has not yet published a date for the FAFSA. Please stay tuned to studentaid.gov for updates.
 

FAFSA Checklist

Have These Documents On Hand

Having the following information and forms on hand will help you fill out the FAFSA:

• Your Social Security Number (can be found on Social Security card)
• Your driver’s license (if any)
• W-2 Forms from two years prior and other records of any money earned
• Your (and/or your parents’) Federal Income Tax Return from two years prior — IRS Form 1040, foreign tax return, or tax return from Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated State of Micronesia
• Any untaxed income records for two years prior — e.g., payments to tax deferred pension and savings plans, tax exempt interest and child support received two years prior
• Records of taxable earnings from Federal Work-Study or other need-based work programs
• Records of any grants, scholarships, and fellowship aid that was included in your or your parents’ adjusted gross income (AGI)
• Any current bank statements
• Any current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bonds and other investment records
• Documentation that you are a U.S. permanent resident or other eligible noncitizen, if applicable
   

Source: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators    

FSA ID/Studentaid.gov Account

You and your contributor (parent(s) or spouse) can create or check on the status of your FSA ID/studentaid.gov account at studentaid.gov. IDs are linked to your Social Security number and may take from one to three days to validate. It’s best to have your FSA ID/studentaid.gov account validated before filling out the FAFSA. Please note the following reasons why you need to check the status of your ID:

• Your phone number has changed
• Your email has changed
• You haven’t used it in 90 days or more
• New/updated FSA ID/studentaid.gov IDs may take up to 3 days to validate