How to Apply for Financial Aid

Priority date for all students is March 15, 2010.  Awards are made for the academic year (any term starting after July 1). Students must reapply for financial aid each year. New students' financial aid applications are considered for aid eligibility following admission. Priority will be given to complete applications received by March 15 for all students. Students who submit applications after these dates will receive all federal and state funds that they are eligible to receive, and will receive institutional aid as funds permit.

How to Apply

Students who wish to apply for any type of need-based assistance, including loans, grants and work-study must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA is the only form required.  SNHU does not require a completed CSS profile.  

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Determine if you are eligible to apply
2. Check your Financial Aid dependency status
3. Register for a Federal Student Aid PIN
   • The PIN is used to e-sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as to gain access to a number of federal educational sites (such as the National Student Loan Data System). 
   • You should store your PIN in a safe and secure location
   • If you have a PIN that you used previously for e-signing a FAFSA, that PIN is still valid 
   • If you do not remember it you can request a duplicate PIN.
     
4. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
   • Submit the FAFSA electronically (7-10 days processing time; 4 weeks for mailed submissions)
   • To prepare for completing the FAFSA on the Web, please utilize the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet
   • You must list SNHU's Federal School Code (002580)

Paper applications can be obtained in the Office of Financial Aid, at public libraries and at high schools.

For more Tips on how to apply for Financial Aid visit our Financial Aid Tips Page

Check the status of your submitted FAFSA

• If a valid email is provided on the FAFSA application, the department of education notifies students that their application is complete 
• Check the status of your FAFSA by viewing your Student Aid Report (SAR)
• Students should review their SAR for the following:
  • Accurate information was provided
  • That it has been signed by both the student and/or parent
  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • If it was selected for Federal Verification (an asterisk* next to the EFC will indicate if a FAFSA has been selected)

Please note: Transfer students who transfer in the middle of an academic year (July through June) must ensure that their previous school and lender(s) have updated and completed processing of your financial aid records with the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS). We will use this database to identify what aid students have already received for the current academic year. If a student was scheduled to have loans or Pell grants disbursed at his or her previous school after you ceased attending, you must ensure that your school and lender(s) cancel those disbursements and update the NSLDS records for you.