Financial Aid
FAFSA Information & FAQ
Complete the FAFSA and see further information @ studentaid.gov
What is FAFSA?
The FAFSA form, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form used to apply for financial aid. Completing the FAFSA form is the only way to access the largest source of financial aid—federal student aid—to help you pay for your education. The FAFSA uses a "financial snapshot" of the family to determine what kinds of financial aid a student qualifies for.
How do schools use the FAFSA?
Students who submit the FAFSA form may become eligible to receive scholarships, grants, work-study funds, and student loans. Schools use the information provided on the FAFSA form to calculate aid packages and then put together an aid offer. It’s important to submit a FAFSA form every year you plan to attend college or career/trade school to remain eligible and receive aid.
When do I file for FAFSA?
The FAFSA application opens on Dec. 31st. Before then, both students and contributors (parents) need to create your FSA ID account at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
Who is considered a "contributor" on the FAFSA?
What information do I need to have when applying for the FAFSA?
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Social Security Number
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Driver's License Number
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Federal Income Tax Return from 2 years prior-- example: for the 2024-25 FAFSA form, you will use 2022 taxes
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Records of your untaxed income i.e. child support, interest income, or veterans' noneducation benefits
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Records of your assets: savings & checking account balances, investments (stocks, bonds, etc.)
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List of schools you're interested in attending-- FAFSA will send your information to these you select
What if we don't believe our family financially qualifies for aid, should I still file the FAFSA?
Regardless of your financial status, information from the FAFSA will be used to determine eligibility for all aid, including grants and scholarships. Some schools will not disperse scholarships unless a FAFSA is on file at their financial aid office.
College Priority Deadlines for FAFSA
Submit your FAFSA form by the priority date to potentially receive the most money from the college.
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Central College
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Priority date for FAFSA: March 15th
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Central College Scholarships due March 1st
Coe College
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Priority date for FAFSA: March 1st
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Coe scholarships due as early as January 3rd
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
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Priority date for FAFSA: July 1st
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DMACC scholarships priority deadline is March 1st
Ellsworth Community College
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Priority date for FAFSA: July 1st
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Ellsworth scholarships priority deadline is March 1st
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https://ecc.iavalley.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarship-application/
Graceland University
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Priority date for FAFSA: March 1st
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https://www.graceland.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships-financial-aid/
Grandview University
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Priority date for FAFSA: March 1st
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https://www.grandview.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships-grants
Hawkeye Community College
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Priority Date for FAFSA: February 1st
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Hawkeye Scholarship application due February 1st
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https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/grants-scholarships/scholarships
Indian Hills Community College
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Priority Date for FAFSA: July 1st
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Indian Hills scholarship priority deadline: April 1st
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http://www.indianhills.edu/payingforcollege/scholarships.php
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Tom Arnold Scholarship - Deadline: April 1st, 2024 at 12:00 am
Iowa School of Beauty
Iowa State University
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Priority Date for FAFSA: December 1st
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ISU Scholarships range from Jan 1st-Feb 8th
Kirkwood Community College
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Priority Date for FAFSA: July 1st
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Kirkwood scholarship priority deadline is March 15th
Southeastern Community College
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Priority Date for FAFSA: March 1st
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SCC scholarship priority deadline is April 1st
Simpson College
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Priority Date for FAFSA: July 1st
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Simpson "Special Interest" Scholarships due February 15th
Southwestern Community College
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Priority Date for FAFSA: June 30th
The University of Iowa
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Priority Date for FAFSA: Feb. 1st
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Scholarship deadlines for 1st year students: March 1st
The University of Northern Iowa
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Priority Date for FAFSA: February 1st
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UNI Scholarship priority deadline: February 1st
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https://admissions.uni.edu/financial-aid/uni-scholarship-application
Wartburg College
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Priority Date for FAFSA: March 1st
William Penn University
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Priority Date for FAFSA: July 1st