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Federal Student Aid and the FAFSA

Federal Student Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

To find out what combination of loans and grants you may qualify for, follow these steps to complete the free financial aid application:

It is in your best interest to complete the financial aid process as early as possible. For assistance, call Concordia University financial aid help-line at 708-209-3347.

Concordia-Chicago’s FAFSA code is 001666.

FAFSA Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid.

When should I file the FAFSA?

Complete the FAFSA each year, as soon as possible after October 1. Students will be required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2021-22 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2019 income information, rather than their 2020 income information. Financial aid packages can only be offered to students who have completed the FAFSA. Because the FAFSA takes 3-5 business days to process, be sure to file at least two weeks before the end of your enrolled class(-es); otherwise, financial aid may not be able to be processed for that term.

Concordia’s priority awarding deadline is March 1st of each year. FAFSA applications filed after this date will be processed; however some types of financial aid may no longer be available.

Note: All Adult Degree Completion students who are Illinois residents should complete their FAFSA by early December or risk being denied Illinois MAP Grants due to state budget limitations. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) sets the FAFSA submission deadline for MAP grant consideration. It is generally December 1—or earlier—each year.

Where do I get the FAFSA application?

Complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov. To make sure that Concordia University Chicago receives a copy of your FAFSA results, make sure you list our school code: 001666. This application is FREE. If you are asked to pay a fee for processing, you have accidentally gone to the wrong website.

What types of documents are needed in order to complete the FAFSA filing process?

You will need records of untaxed income, Federal Income Tax Returns, W-2 forms, bank statements and investment records for both parents and students.

When should I expect my financial aid award letter to arrive?

Only students who have been admitted to Concordia University Chicago are eligible to receive a financial aid award. Financial awards will be offered within 7 to 10 business days after the FAFSA results are received in the Office of Financial Aid. Once the student’s financial aid file is completed, he/she will receive notification in the mail.

Why should I file the FAFSA if I do not think I will be eligible for assistance?

We encourage all students to file the FAFSA in order to determine their full eligibility for all types of financial assistance. In order to be considered for any federal, state and low-interest loans, you must file the FAFSA. If you plan to apply for private scholarships, many agencies and organizations require the FAFSA to be filed in order to be considered for their scholarships. And, in the event anything dramatically changes with your family’s finances during the academic year, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid for discuss the possibility of a professional judgment.

Where should I look for other sources of financial aid?

Many local organizations and businesses provide grants and scholarships to help students attend college. Websites like FastWeb and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s website are excellent resources for additional information on scholarships.

Explore potential sources in your community, as well. Your church, employers and/or local chamber of commerce or other community groups may have information not widely publicized online.

What kind of help is available on the Internet from the Department of Education?

Additional information about Federal Student Aid and related documents are available online:

https://studentaid.gov

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov

Will the government give me a tax break?

Many parents and/or students qualify for an educational tax credit. For more information on these tax credits, please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website for additional details or contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. You may also consider checking with a professional tax preparer.

Deadline to Apply

May 1, 2024

Start Date

May 6, 2024

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