FAFSA
What is FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the fundamental qualifying form used for all federal and government-guaranteed commercial lenders' programs-as well as for many state, regional and private student aid programs. By filling out the online or paper FAFSA, applicants start the process of qualifying for aid.
Students need to complete the FAFSA each academic year before any financial aid consideration can take place. The FAFSA can be completed either through a paper or an online application found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If completing an online application, you will first need to obtain a U.S. Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. You will also need Mercyhurst College's Title IV code, 003297. All students should file the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of each academic year. Upper class students must submit their FAFSA application prior to March 15. Students will not be permitted to pre-register to for the upcoming fall term until their FAFSA has been filed.
If a student is chosen to be verified by the federal government, additional documentation will need to be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Services for review. Verification means that the Department Of Education wishes the school to review over your tax information with the information supplied on your FAFSA form to rectify any discrepancies. Students selected for verification are informed of this on their Student Aid Report as well as by the Office of Student Financial Services. Read more about verification.