Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you need to complete the FAFSA each year. Indiana State University encourages students to complete the FAFSA at least by March 1st to avoid any deadline problems associated with other types of limited aid.

The State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) requires residents of Indiana to complete the FAFSA by March 10th of the upcoming award year in order to determine eligibility for state grants/scholarships. SSACI also requires that all critical errors and missing information be cleared no later than May 15th of the upcoming award year. Go to www.fafsa.gov to make corrections to your FAFSA.

ISU must have correct and complete information by your last day of enrollment. The final date to submit the FAFSA for federal aid is June 30th. For important FAFSA dates, refer to these dates and deadlines.

For instructions, see applying for aid.

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The PIN allows you to sign your FAFSA electronically. Even if you do not file online, a PIN is useful because it can be used to access and to correct your processed FAFSA information at a later date.

If you are providing parent information on the FAFSA, one of your parents must also sign your application. To sign electronically, your parent should apply for his or her own PIN at www.pin.ed.gov

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The federal government has established criteria for classifying financial aid applicants as dependent or independent. Your dependency status is determined after completing the questions in "Step Three" of the FAFSA. If you are dependent, your parents' assets and income as well as your own are needed to evaluate your financial need. If you are independent, your need is evaluated solely on your (and if married your spouse’s) income and assets.

If you are considered an independent student, parental information will not be required. In certain cases, additional documentation will be required for some of the questions in "Step Three" of the FAFSA for independent students.

If you were considered an independent student for financial aid purposes at a previous school based on a professional judgment, you do not automatically qualify for independent status at Indiana State University.

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You will need to complete and submit a Special Circumstances Appeal Form and supporting documentation to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The form outlines the types of requests we can consider. Depending upon your circumstances, we encourage you to submit the form as soon as possible.

Each appeal is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any adjustments made to your FAFSA will be submitted to the federal processor for a recalculation of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). You will be notified in writing when your appeal form has been reviewed. If there is a change in your award package, you will receive a revised Financial Aid Notification award letter.

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The outside scholarships and the private alternative loan programs are generally two options that may be available to students when there is unmet need. For information on these program requirements, visit types of aid.

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Students are encouraged to complete their financial aid requirements in a timely manner. Money for books is generally made available to students who are expecting a refund. These funds could be received no earlier than 10 days prior to the start of the semester in which the student is enrolled. Otherwise students will need to make arrangements to purchase their books through personal means.

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You must meet all the institution requirements before financial aid is disbursed to your student account. The initial disbursement of aid occurs 10 days prior to the start of the semester, exception summer. You can check the MyISU Portal for any outstanding requirements.

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Generally, you may not have received your loan funds due to not completing one or more of the required steps, including submitting a Federal Direct Loan Application and completing the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling. Otherwise, you will need to speak with a financial aid staff member.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is used to define successful completion of coursework to maintain eligibility for student financial aid. Federal regulations require us to establish, publish, and apply standards to monitor your progress towards completion of your certificate or degree program. If you fail to meet these standards, you will be placed on financial aid probation or suspension. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive funding from the following federal programs: Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Work Study, Perkins Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and Parent PLUS Loan. Some additional grants and scholarships may also use the SAP standards as minimum criteria for receipt of funding.

SAP SUSPENSION may be appealed if unusual and/or mitigating circumstances affected academic progress. Such circumstances may include a severe illness or injury to the student or an immediate family member, the death of a student's relative, student activation into military service, or other circumstances as deemed appropriate for consideration by the SAP Appeals Committee.

The student must submit a typed letter and a completed SAP Appeal Form to the Office of Student Financial Aid explaining in detail why he or she failed to meet the minimum academic standards, what unusual and/or mitigating circumstances caused the failure, and how the situation has improved. The student will be notified in writing of the decision made by the Appeals Committee. Any appeal approvals will give the conditions and timeframe for maintaining aid eligibility. All decisions of the SAP Appeals Committee are final. Students who raise their cumulative standards to equal or exceed the minimum requirements will be reinstated to SAP GOOD STANDING from that point forward.

Read our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

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ISU cannot release student information to anyone unless the student has consented to the disclosure of information because of FERPA. FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This Act was passed by Congress in 1974 and is also referred to as the Buckley Amendment. Records that are protected by FERPA include personal information, enrollment records, grades, and class schedules. The University must have written permission from the student before releasing information from the student's record.

To access this form, visit privacy rights and policy.

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