Filing FAFSA for Graduate Students (2024)

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Applying for federal and state financial aid for new academic year 2018–19.

Students are encouraged to file as soon as possible on or afterOctober1 of the year preceding the academic year for which financial aid is sought (for 18-1 it was October 1, 2017). The Brooklyn College priority filing deadline is May 1.

Prior to Completing the FAFSA

Federal Program Requirements

To qualify, a student must:

  • be matriculated,
  • be enrolled for at leastsix credits,
  • be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and
  • maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

The first step in filing a FAFSA is toapply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID).If you have forgotten your FSA ID, you can use the forgot my username and password option on the FSA ID webpage. YourFSA IDserves as your electronic signature on the FAFSA and is used to login to all Federal Student Aid websites and provides access to your personal records it is therefore, critical that it remain as secure as possible.

  • CUNY Brooklyn College federal school code is: 002687

Print a 2018–19 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

The worksheet allows you to read and complete the questions before entering your information online.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

There are two ways you may file a2018–19 FAFSA:

  • File online
    • It's quick: Results are sent to you via e-mail by the next business day.
    • It's easy: Detailed help screens guide you through every question.
    • It's accurate: Inconsistent answers are flagged so you can correct mistakes before submitting the application.
    • It's safe: Encryption keeps your information safe when you send it to us.
  • File a paper application. If you do not have Internet access, you can request a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800.4.FED.AID (800.433.3243) or 319.337.5665. (Hearing impaired TTY users can call 800.730.8913.)
    • After completing the paper FAFSA, you mail us the form in the attached pre-addressed envelope.
    • Your paper FAFSA will be processed in two to three weeks.
    • If you don't hear anything within three weeks of the date it was mailed, you can check the status by going to theFAFSA website.
    • You can also check by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the numbers listed above.

Verification

Upon receipt of your completed new FAFSA or Renewal, you will receive an electronic letter indicating if additional documentation is needed in order to complete your application via CUNYFirst and delivered to your campus e-mail address. This process is called verification and the e-letter will contact instruction on specifically what you need to submit to the office of financial aid at Brooklyn College. Verification may require that you document reported income, U.S. taxes paid, family household size and the number of family members in college. Additionally you may be required to validate your reported Social Security number, citizenship status, selective service, and/or immigration and naturalization status. Any and all requested documentation should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid for review and corrections. We urge you not to submit corrections on your own, as additional changes may be necessary and we can expedite these corrections.

The Office of Financial Aid has created a few instructional guides on how to manage (claim your account, view your financial aid "To-Do" list, view/accept/decline awards, enroll in direct deposit, etc.) in CUNYfirst.Learn More.

All financial aid forms, are located and the link provided below:

  • Financial AidResourcesand Forms

Note: Most graduate students fund their education at Brooklyn College through the Federal Direct Loan program.The Office of Financial Aid has created a Direct Loan Handout, to assist you in understanding Federal Direct Loan awarding process at Brooklyn College.

Additional Federal Programs

Federal William D. Ford Direct Loan Program

TheFederal William D. Ford Direct Loan Program allows eligible students to borrow money directly from the federal government. These programs include the subsidized, unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS loans. Under the Federal Direct Loan Program, a student may borrow up to $20,500 depending on eligibility for each academic year of graduate or professional-degree study up to an aggregate of $138,000, including any loans for undergraduate study. The loans carry a variable interest rate that currently is capped at 8.25 percent.Repayment of loans begins six months after a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) as a matriculated student. Current interest rate information is available on the Federal Student Aid webpage.

Federal Work-Study Program

TheFederal Work-Study Program (FWS) is an employment program that pays eligible students in good academic standing an hourly wage for work done for the college or public or other nonprofit agencies.A student may work six to 20 hours a week while enrolled.

International students are not eligible for participation in the Federal Work-Study Program.

Filing FAFSA for Graduate Students (2024)

FAQs

Can I apply for FAFSA as a graduate student? ›

Student Aid

You can complete the application at fafsa.gov. In almost all cases, graduate or professional students are considered independent students for the purposes of completing the FAFSA form.

How much money does FAFSA give for graduate school? ›

Although submitting the FAFSA isn't a hard requirement for graduate school, it can be financially advantageous. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the average full-time graduate student received $28,300 in federal aid, according to the College Board.

Do I need to do FAFSA if I'm graduating? ›

California mandates FAFSA for graduation – here's everything you need to know – Brush and Palette.

Do grad students get Pell Grants? ›

Who Is Eligible. Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.

Does FAFSA start over for grad school? ›

The answer is, yes — by using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Chances are, you've already used FAFSA to apply for federal student financial aid throughout your college career and possibly received offers of grants, loans, and work-study.

Can you apply to FAFSA for a graduate certificate? ›

A graduate certificate does not qualify students for federal financial aid. While some students, such as those pursuing a graduate certificate approved by the Department of Education, may become eligible for financial aid, learners should not count on securing federal financial aid.

Is it worth filling out FAFSA for grad school? ›

The FAFSA is the only way to obtain federal student loans for grad school. You should prioritize federal loans over private ones since they come with lower interest rates and more flexibility, including access to income-driven repayment plans. Remember to complete your FAFSA early to access the most funds possible.

Is it harder to get financial aid for graduate school? ›

Prospective graduate students often make the mistake of thinking financial aid is only available to undergraduates when, in fact, there are many financial aid opportunities for graduate students, including: Scholarships (merit-based) Fellowships. Federal loans (which must be repaid)

What is the FAFSA graduate limit? ›

Continue reading for more details on the different types of student loan limits. Graduate students are considered independent and have a lifetime loan limit of $138,500 for federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. No more than $65,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans.

What is the difference between graduate and undergraduate FAFSA? ›

Graduate students have different loan and aid options than undergraduate students. As a graduate student, the only loans you can qualify for are direct unsubsidized loans and grad PLUS, so you're responsible for all interest that accrues on your loan.

Which FAFSA form do I fill out if I graduate in 2024? ›

The FAFSA form you fill out should correspond with the school year you're seeking aid for. For example, if you're applying for financial aid for the 2023‒24 school year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024), submit the 2023‒24 FAFSA form.

What happens to financial aid when you graduate? ›

Your annual Federal Direct Loan limit will be prorated for your final term. The financial aid office will receive an official graduation list from the registrar's office and your loans may be adjusted which could result in a bill with the University.

Can graduate students get Pell Grants in 2024? ›

Professional Degrees: Graduate students, including those pursuing professional degrees, usually do not qualify for Pell Grants due to the program's undergraduate focus, with some exceptions.

Why am I no longer eligible for the Pell Grant? ›

Once you have earned a baccalaureate degree or your first professional degree, or have used up all 12 semesters of your eligibility, you are no longer eligible to receive a Pell Grant. Additionally, you will not be eligible for a Maximum Pell Grant under these special criteria once you turn 33 years old.

What is the Max Pell Grant amount? ›

The maximum amount of money you can get from a Pell Grant is: $7,395 (2023–24). The amount granted depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), cost of attendance, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

Can you claim graduate student as dependent FAFSA? ›

To be considered a dependent for federal student aid purposes, the child must not be an independent student. A graduate student is automatically considered an independent student.

Can you get FAFSA for a second bachelor's? ›

Yes, it's possible to receive financial aid for a second bachelor's degree, which can include federal student aid like federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. We'll detail the definitions of these types of federal student aid below when we explain how adult learners pay for college.

Can I get federal loans for graduate school? ›

The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program. (We also offer Parent PLUS loans.) A Direct PLUS Loan is commonly referred to as a grad PLUS loan when made to a graduate or professional student.

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