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FAFSA Information

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to need-based aid for most students.

The FAFSA is your way of indicating that you're interested in receiving assistance paying for college. It's the only way you can become eligible for grants, work-study and federal student loans. If you're interested in those things, we highly encourage you to submit the FAFSA.

Applying for financial aid is not easy, but it is certainly worth it. Every year, millions of students nationwide who would otherwise qualify for federal and state grants fail to file this important application, making it impossible for the Financial Aid Office at their school to assist them.

Financial Aid for Undocumented Students

The Minnesota Dream Act allows undocumented students who are residents of Minnesota to be eligible for state financial aid and grant programs.

Complete the FAFSA

You'll need the previous year's tax information and our school code (002345). It should take 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

About the FAFSA

  • 2024-2025 Changes
  • Submissions Basics
  • Special Circumstances
  • 2024-2025 Changes to FAFSA

    The FAFSA application will see significant changes for the 2024-2025 aid year as part of the , which was passed by Congress in 2020.

    The changes represent a major overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid, including changes to the FAFSA form, the need analysis that determines federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools like St. Thomas that participate in federal student aid programs.

    Submissions Basics

    How do I submit it?

    Go to and follow the instructions. You'll need the previous year's tax information and our school code (002345). It should take 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

    When should I submit it?

    The FAFSA will open by December 31 and we recommend you try to submit it shortly after that. That will ensure that you get your financial aid award as early as possible and that you'll have plenty of time to thoroughly compare all the schools you're considering before making a decision.

    You DO NOT have to be admitted to St. Thomas before you complete the FAFSA. You can do it before you even apply.

    When will I hear back about my aid?

    We plan to start sending notification of award (NOA) letters in early March to students who have submitted their FAFSAs and have been admitted as a part of our Early Action timeline.

    Special Circumstances

    Things happen. We get that. That's why we have a process for students to appeal their aid award to account for special financial circumstances. These can include:

    • Death or disability of a parent or spouse since filing the FAFSA
    • Divorce or separation of parent or student since filing the FAFSA
    • Medical, dental, or dependent care expenses not reimbursed by insurance or by an employer's pre-tax cafeteria plan
    • Unemployment
    • Loss child support and/or taxable Social Security benefits
    • Business or farm closed due to bankruptcy, foreclosure, or natural disaster
    • Private high school, junior high, or elementary tuition expenses for other family members
    • Parents' or spouse's personal college loan payments
    • Parent(s) enrolled in college in 2023 or 2024 and paying out-of-pocket college tuition

    Special circumstances applications, if accepted, may result in an increase in need-based loans, student employment, or additional grant assistance. It will typically take 2-4 weeks to process your application after all required documentation has been received.

    2024-2025 Changes

    2024-2025 Changes to FAFSA

    The FAFSA application will see significant changes for the 2024-2025 aid year as part of the , which was passed by Congress in 2020.

    The changes represent a major overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid, including changes to the FAFSA form, the need analysis that determines federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools like St. Thomas that participate in federal student aid programs.

    Submissions Basics

    Submissions Basics

    How do I submit it?

    Go to and follow the instructions. You'll need the previous year's tax information and our school code (002345). It should take 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

    When should I submit it?

    The FAFSA will open by December 31 and we recommend you try to submit it shortly after that. That will ensure that you get your financial aid award as early as possible and that you'll have plenty of time to thoroughly compare all the schools you're considering before making a decision.

    You DO NOT have to be admitted to St. Thomas before you complete the FAFSA. You can do it before you even apply.

    When will I hear back about my aid?

    We plan to start sending notification of award (NOA) letters in early March to students who have submitted their FAFSAs and have been admitted as a part of our Early Action timeline.

    Special Circumstances

    Special Circumstances

    Things happen. We get that. That's why we have a process for students to appeal their aid award to account for special financial circumstances. These can include:

    • Death or disability of a parent or spouse since filing the FAFSA
    • Divorce or separation of parent or student since filing the FAFSA
    • Medical, dental, or dependent care expenses not reimbursed by insurance or by an employer's pre-tax cafeteria plan
    • Unemployment
    • Loss child support and/or taxable Social Security benefits
    • Business or farm closed due to bankruptcy, foreclosure, or natural disaster
    • Private high school, junior high, or elementary tuition expenses for other family members
    • Parents' or spouse's personal college loan payments
    • Parent(s) enrolled in college in 2023 or 2024 and paying out-of-pocket college tuition

    Special circumstances applications, if accepted, may result in an increase in need-based loans, student employment, or additional grant assistance. It will typically take 2-4 weeks to process your application after all required documentation has been received.

    FAFSA Verification

    All students who file a FAFSA are sent a Student Aid Report (SAR) which will indicate if their FAFSA was selected for verification.

  • What Is FAFSA Verification?
  • Why You Might Be Selected
  • How to Complete Verification
  • What Is FAFSA Verification?

    FAFSA Verification is a quality-assurance measure used by the U.S. Department of Education to verify the accuracy of information reported by students and families on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All schools that disburse federal Title IV funds (federal student aid) are required to participate in the verification process.

    If your FAFSA is selected for verification, the Financial Aid Office will provide you with detailed instructions regarding any information that is needed to verify the results of your application for aid.

    Need-based financial aid cannot be processed until verification is complete. To receive maximum consideration for federal and state aid programs such as grants and loans, students must complete verification (if selected) before classes begin.

    Why You Might Be Selected

    Most often, a FAFSA is selected for verification because it contains inconsistent information or the Dept. of Education has identified errors that must be corrected. However, files can also be selected for review due to:

    1. Incomplete information (fields left blank)
    2. Estimated information
    3. Severe changes in data elements from year to year
    4. Selected at random

    Schools may also choose to verify a file if presented with conflicting information. Making unnecessary adjustments to FAFSA data after initial submission may increase the likelihood of being selected for verification.

    Regardless of why a FAFSA is selected, no need-based financial aid can be paid to the student until the verification process is complete.

    How to Complete Verification

    1. Download and complete the appropriate Verification Worksheet in the Financial Aid section of
    2. Confirm tax information listed on the FAFSA in one of the following ways:
      1. IRS Data Retrieval (preferred method): To transfer tax information, the student must log in to the student's processed FAFSA, click on the "Financial Information" tab in the top navigation menu, and answer the questions to determine if you are eligible to use IRS Data Retrieval. If eligible, enter your FSA ID (or apply for one) and click the blue "LINK TO IRS" button. You will be asked to input your tax filing status and address to verify your identity. Please input your address exactly as it appears on your filed tax return. Once your identity is confirmed, select "Transfer Now" and follow the on-screen instructions to submit the FAFSA update. FAFSA updates should be received by the Financial Aid Office within 2-3 business days.
      2. Submit a signed Federal Tax Return copy or Tax Return Transcript: The Financial Aid Office is allowed to accept a copy of a signed 2021 Federal Tax Return 1040 and accompanying schedules. All tax returns must be signed either with a hand written signature by the tax return filer or with a tax preparer EIN or PTIN.
      3. Request a Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS: Required for any applicant/spouse who did not file a tax return in tax year. Verification letters can be requested online at , or by mail using Form 4506-T and checking box 7.
    3. Submit the Verification Worksheet and any additional documentation to the Financial Aid Office via the URL listed on the Verification Worksheet.

    What Is FAFSA Verification?

    What Is FAFSA Verification?

    FAFSA Verification is a quality-assurance measure used by the U.S. Department of Education to verify the accuracy of information reported by students and families on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All schools that disburse federal Title IV funds (federal student aid) are required to participate in the verification process.

    If your FAFSA is selected for verification, the Financial Aid Office will provide you with detailed instructions regarding any information that is needed to verify the results of your application for aid.

    Need-based financial aid cannot be processed until verification is complete. To receive maximum consideration for federal and state aid programs such as grants and loans, students must complete verification (if selected) before classes begin.

    Why You Might Be Selected

    Why You Might Be Selected

    Most often, a FAFSA is selected for verification because it contains inconsistent information or the Dept. of Education has identified errors that must be corrected. However, files can also be selected for review due to:

    1. Incomplete information (fields left blank)
    2. Estimated information
    3. Severe changes in data elements from year to year
    4. Selected at random

    Schools may also choose to verify a file if presented with conflicting information. Making unnecessary adjustments to FAFSA data after initial submission may increase the likelihood of being selected for verification.

    Regardless of why a FAFSA is selected, no need-based financial aid can be paid to the student until the verification process is complete.

    How to Complete Verification

    How to Complete Verification

    1. Download and complete the appropriate Verification Worksheet in the Financial Aid section of
    2. Confirm tax information listed on the FAFSA in one of the following ways:
      1. IRS Data Retrieval (preferred method): To transfer tax information, the student must log in to the student's processed FAFSA, click on the "Financial Information" tab in the top navigation menu, and answer the questions to determine if you are eligible to use IRS Data Retrieval. If eligible, enter your FSA ID (or apply for one) and click the blue "LINK TO IRS" button. You will be asked to input your tax filing status and address to verify your identity. Please input your address exactly as it appears on your filed tax return. Once your identity is confirmed, select "Transfer Now" and follow the on-screen instructions to submit the FAFSA update. FAFSA updates should be received by the Financial Aid Office within 2-3 business days.
      2. Submit a signed Federal Tax Return copy or Tax Return Transcript: The Financial Aid Office is allowed to accept a copy of a signed 2021 Federal Tax Return 1040 and accompanying schedules. All tax returns must be signed either with a hand written signature by the tax return filer or with a tax preparer EIN or PTIN.
      3. Request a Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS: Required for any applicant/spouse who did not file a tax return in tax year. Verification letters can be requested online at , or by mail using Form 4506-T and checking box 7.
    3. Submit the Verification Worksheet and any additional documentation to the Financial Aid Office via the URL listed on the Verification Worksheet.

    Notification of Award Guide

    Still have questions? Download our Notification of Award Guide (PDF), which walks through all of the details related to the financial aid process.