Applying for Financial Aid

STEP 1
Request a FSA ID for both student and parents at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  The FSA ID will be your electronic signature for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid documents.

STEP 2
Complete the FAFSA on-line at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa beginning October 1st so that you will be considered for all available aid.  We encourage you to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to pull your tax information directly from the IRS site to the FAFSA if you are able.  If you are not able to do this, you may manually enter your information from your federal tax return.  It is your responsibility to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year for consideration of various financial aid programs. (Example: When completing the 2022-2013 FAFSA you will use your 2020 federal tax information.).

The Cedar Crest College federal school code is 003243.

*If you are a Pennsylvania resident, the FAFSA is also your initial state grant application.  You need to file the FAFSA before May 1st to be considered for a PA State Grant.

STEP 3       
The Department of Education may select your FAFSA for verification.  Verification is a process where the College must verify that the data you reported on the FAFSA is consistent with what was reported on your federal tax return.  If your processed FAFSA is selected for the verification process you will be required to submit certain documentation.  Please respond promptly to all requests from the College’s Student Financial Services Office for additional documentation.  Your financial aid cannot be finalized until this documentation is received.  The correspondence you receive from the Student Financial Services Office will indicate what specific documentation you need to submit.  If you are selected for verification and have not used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you will need to submit a Federal Tax Transcript (copies of federal tax returns are not acceptable), as well as other documentation required.

STEP   4   
Receive and review your Financial Aid Offer.  Speak to Student Financial Services with any questions regarding your financial aid award.  Evaluate financing options (information is available through Student Financial Services about the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, private education loans and interest-free tuition payment plan options).