Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student financial aid, including the Pell Grant, student loans, and university work-study. The FAFSA is used by the federal government, state governments, and colleges to determine need-based aid eligibility.
Who needs to submit a FAFSA?
- Any eligible U.S. resident seeking need-based financial aid
- Returning students must reapply annually
Steps to Complete the FAFSA
- Obtain a Federal Student Aid ID
- Apply at FAFSA Online (To request a paper copy of the FAFSA, call 800.447.4880 or email SFS@milligan.edu)
- List Milligan University (code 003511) on the FAFSA when prompted
When should I submit my FAFSA?
- The FAFSA form will be available online in December for the 2025-26 academic year. Going forward, the FAFSA will likely open in October for the following academic year.
- For maximum scholarship consideration, students should be admitted to Milligan by December 1 and file the FAFSA as soon as it opens for the following year’s admission.
Tips:
- Everyone should file. Some families incorrectly assume that they do not qualify for need-based assistance and skip this important step. The only way to make sure that you are eligible to be considered for need-based assistance at Milligan is to submit a FAFSA.
- Unusual family expenses. If you or your family have special circumstances that impact your financial situation, tell your Milligan SFS counselor. Some examples include unusual medical expenses or a large change in income from last year to this year.
- File online. If you file the FAFSA online, you will receive the FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly known as the Student Aid Report (SAR)) with your Student Aid Index (formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)) determination about twice as fast as you would if you submit a paper form. The online FAFSA also has an error-checking function that will help you complete the form as accurately as possible.
- Respond promptly. Sometimes we may request additional documentation according to federal, state, or institutional policies. If you are asked to submit tax returns or other documents to the Student Financial Services Office, please do so promptly.
- File every year. Your FAFSA will allow you to be awarded for one academic year. You must file the FAFSA renewal in subsequent years to continue to receive financial aid.
- File ASAP. It is important to meet the priority deadlines and to respond quickly to requests from Student Financial Services for additional documentation. Some awards are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
How it Works
The FAFSA is used by the federal government, state governments, and colleges to determine need-based aid eligibility. Your FAFSA responses are entered into a formula known as the Federal Methodology. The result is your Student Aid Index (SAI) (formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)). Your SAI is an eligibility index number that is used to determine need-based financial aid. Your financial need is the difference between the Milligan cost and your SAI. Colleges use your SAI to prepare a financial aid package to help you meet your financial need (although not all need is always met).