FAFSA

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

‍ ‍

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your first step in applying for any financial aid. 

IIOP’s Federal School Code: 043178

A Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) is required for all contributors to the FAFSA form. If you do not already have an FSA ID, plan to create one at least three days before you start the FAFSA. You can create an FSA ID on the studentaid.gov website by clicking the “Create Account” link in the upper right section of the page or use this direct link:  https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, if you have one. It will take 3-5 days for the Department of Education and the IRS to verify your account. You can still create an account on the same day you complete the FAFSA, but you may not be able to use the IRS link to pull in your tax data. 

You, the student, will start the FAFSA and invite other contributors as applicable. You will need contact information and the Social Security number, if applicable, of each contributor. It is important that you use the exact same information as the contributor used to create their FSA ID. If you are a dependent student, this tool will help you determine which parent(s) should be a contributor to your FAFSA. If you are a married independent student, and did not file taxes jointly with your spouse, your spouse will also be a contributor.

The income information needed to complete the FAFSA form can be found on a previously filed tax return. Beginning with the 2024-2025 FAFSA cycle, the FAFSA Simplification Act requires that, wherever possible, the Department of Education use data received directly from the IRS to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI). FAFSA applicants — and, where applicable, their spouses — will be required to provide consent for the disclosure of tax information held by the IRS directly from the IRS to the Department of Education. The FAFSA must be completed each year you wish to apply for aid. 

‍ The 2025-26 FAFSA can be completed December 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 and will be used to apply for financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year which includes these start dates:

  • Fall Semester – August 25, 2025 to December 12, 2025

  • Spring Semester – January 12, 2026 to May 1, 2026

  • Summer Semester – May 11, 2026 to August 21, 2026

The 2026-27 FAFSA can be completed October 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 and will be used to apply for financial aid for the 2026-27 academic year which includes these start dates:

  • Fall Semester – August 24, 2026 to December 11, 2026

  • Spring Semester – January 11, 2027 to April 30, 2027

  • Summer Semester – May 10, 2027 to August 20, 2027

The Federal Student Aid website has many instructional videos and resources to help answer your questions. You can also contact the Financial Aid Office at the International Institute for Orthotics and Prosthetics for assistance.

Additional Documents

‍Verification
You may be chosen for a process called verification by the federal processor and/or the school. Students who are selected for verification must complete the verification process to become eligible for federal funds. Awards such as the Federal Direct Loan and/or other selected awards will be unavailable until the verification process is complete. After completion of the verification process, estimated awards may be reduced because of a change in the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is determined by the FAFSA information submitted to the U. S. Department of Education.

Special Circumstances
Students with unusual or special circumstances may request a review of their FAFSA information by the financial aid office. The FAFSA uses information from income that occurred two years prior to starting school and it may not accurately reflect your current ability to finance your education. If your family has experienced financial hardship, a death of a spouse, a divorce, or an unusual medical expense, you are encouraged to request a review of your circumstances. Independent students (24 or older, and graduates of a BS/BA degree meet the criteria to be designated an independent student) can complete their request by filling out the Independent Special Circumstance Review form and submitting it with all required documentation.