Never assume that you will not qualify for financial assistance. There are many types of financial aid available to help manage the cost of education. To determine how much financial aid you are eligible for, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is FREE and its results can significantly help off-set the cost of your education.
The best time to complete the FAFSA is as soon as you have completed your federal income tax return. Try to file your tax return early. The priority consideration date is March 1st. Applicants who apply by March 1st will be considered for funds before those that apply after March 1st. For some types of financial aid, funds do run out. To make sure you are awarded the most aid that you can obtain, make sure to apply early.
Before you file the FAFSA, there are certain documents and tasks that you will want to have completed:
Students wanting to complete the paper FAFSA will need to request an application by calling the federal processor at 1-800-433-3243. Once you have completed the paper FAFSA, make sure to mail it to the address provided on the form, NOT to NIU.
If additional documentation is required to be sent to the NIU Student Financial Aid Office, please send it to: