The 2025-26 FAFSA is officially open! Here's what you need to know to navigate the process.
Important Dates for the 2025-26 academic year
FAQs
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used by colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for grants, loans and work-study programs.
Why should I do this?
Filling out the FAFSA helps you receive money for college based on your family's income, it also helps Northwest determine your aid offer.
How much aid will be available to me?
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your costs and aid eligibility. Estimated time to complete: 10-15 minutes
How long will it take to fill out the FAFSA?
When can I expect to hear back after filling out my FAFSA?
- For Fall 2025 Incoming Freshmen
- If additional documents are needed from you, expect to hear from us with that request in February. If no additional items are needed from you, expect to receive your aid offer in early March.
- For Transfer or Continuing Students
- If additional documents are needed from you, expect to hear from us with that request in February. If no additional items are needed from you, expect to receive your aid offer in late May or early June.
Your next steps
The next step towards financing your education is completing the FAFSA. Our team is here to support you throughout the process, unlocking the potential for federal aid.
1
Learn about using the FAFSA to apply for financial aid
- Watch this 2-minute video to learn how the FAFSA works:
2
What you can do now to prepare for the FAFSA
- Your FSA ID is a username and password that gives you access to your student aid account
- Go to studentaid.gov and follow the instructions to create your account
- If you’ve filled out the FAFSA before, you already have an FSA ID. Check your account and reset your password if you don’t remember it.
- Watch this 6-minute video and learn about the FSA ID:
3
Determine who your “Contributors” are on the FAFSA.
- Determine who your FAFSA contributors are.
- A contributor is anyone who’s asked to provide information on the FAFSA. A contributor could be you, a parent (biological, adoptive, or stepparent), or your spouse. Being a contributor doesn’t mean they have an obligation to pay for your education.
- Each contributor will provide consent for their information to be included on the FAFSA.
- Watch this 90-second video or use the FAFSA Parent Wizard to learn more about contributors:
4
Collect information you’ll need to complete the FAFSA:
- Having this info ready to go ahead of time will help you avoid delays.
- For each of your contributors you will need:
- Name
- Social Security Number (SSN) or alien registration number
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Tax returns
- Records of child support received
- Current balances of savings and checking accounts
- Net worth of investments, businesses, or farms
- Each contributor must provide consent on the FAFSA to allow their tax info to be automatically shared from the IRS. If a contributor refuses to provide consent, you will be ineligible for need-based financial aid programs.
5
Fill out the FAFSA
Student and contributors can use their FSA ID to access and complete the FAFSA.
COMPLETE YOUR FAFSATake the next steps to being a Bearcat!
The FAFSA will open! If you haven't already, now is a great time to apply for admission at Northwest.
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» Financial Assistance » Apply for Aid
