Eligibility, Applying for Financial Aid & Helpful Websites

Eligibility

The only aid available to graduate students at Fairfield University is federal financial aid. To be eligible for any of the federal student aid programs, students must:

  • Meet various federal regulatory requirements
  • Be matriculated into a degree-granting program
  • Be enrolled at least half-time (six credits)
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as defined by Fairfield University

How to Apply

In order to apply for any of the federal student aid programs, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is strongly recommended that students sign the FAFSA online with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The Department of Education issues all student PINs, which are used to sign the FAFSA electronically. The FAFSA will require Fairfield University's federal school code: 001385.

The FAFSA should be submitted at least four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester the student is applying for financial aid.

Federal Verification

Verification is the process when a school is required to compare the information from the FAFSA to the information from a student's federal tax return. If a student's application is selected for verification by the Department of Education, he/she is notified of this process through the Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is sent electronically to the student after a FAFSA is processed. Students are required to submit a signed copy of their federal tax return and a completed Federal Verification Worksheet to the Office of Financial Aid as soon as possible.

  • 2011-2012 Applicants: A signed copy of your (and your spouses', if married and not filed jointly) 2010 federal income tax return is required. Please include all schedules and W-2 forms.

In addition, all students selected for verification must submit the Federal Verification Worksheet for the appropriate aid year.

Helpful Websites

Department of Education: Student Aid on the Web
This website provides free information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.

Internal Revenue Service
This website provides useful information regarding tax forms and tax-filing requirements.

FastWeb
This website provides scholarship applications and advice for students.

Connecticut Department of Higher Education
This website provides detailed information on state grants, scholarships and other financial aid resources.

FinAid!
This website is a very comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools to help finance a higher education.

Income-Based Repayment Calculator
This calculator can help you determine if you - or your spouse if you are married - might qualify for Income-Based Repayment (IBR) for federal Stafford loans.

Student Loans: Avoiding Decepting Offers (downloadable brochure)

Cosigning a Loan (downloadable brochure)

Building a Better Credit Report (downloadable brochure)