FAFSA Now Open for 2026–27: Apply Early for Financial Aid

Attention all students: the 2026-27 FAFSA is now open! You may qualify for need-based assistance from the federal or state government, as well as from Seton Hall University. The only way to find out if you qualify is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Why file?

Many families are under the impression that they shouldn’t bother filing the FAFSA form because their income is too high and they won’t receive any financial aid. This is a common misconception because the FAFSA takes more than income into consideration. While you are not guaranteed to receive need-based grants, everyone who files the FAFSA qualifies, at a minimum, for a low-interest student loan. Filing is also the only way to apply for a parent PLUS loan or to see if you qualify for a federal work study job.

How to file:

• The FAFSA is the only form required at Seton Hall (we don’t require the CSS Profile).
• There is no fee to apply, and you can apply online.
• Make sure you list Seton Hall on your FAFSA form, along with our code: 002632.

The federal government has also created a tutorial video to assist you in completing the FAFSA. You will also need to create an FSA ID which is used to log in to your account.

When to file:

It is recommended that you file your FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1, but prior to January 15 each year. It is critical to file on time as some aid is given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A good way to get started and understand what information you'll need is to complete the FAFSA on the Web worksheet and also explore the information on studentaid.gov. When completing the FAFSA, if you have questions please feel free to call Seton Hall or the federal financial aid hotline at 1-800-4-FED-AID. The federal government also provides a useful resource and video with tips for filing the FAFSA.

Whom do I contact for problems with the FAFSA?

To check the status of your application call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED AID (1-800-433-3243).

What happens after you file?

It will take about two weeks for the government to process your FAFSA and the results will be e-mailed to you on a form called a Student Aid Report (SAR). This lets you know your student aid index (SAI) and if you qualify for a need-based grant from the federal government.

The federal government will also send your results to your state so they can review your data and determine if you qualify for a need-based grant from the state.

If you are from New Jersey, please be advised that the State of New Jersey will also need you to answer a few additional questions. For more information, visit the Report Additional Information tab on the website for the Higher Educational Student Assistance Authority (HESAA).

When will I know the bottom line?

If you filed a FAFSA and listed Seton Hall University, we will receive your FAFSA results from the government and use this to put together a financial aid package for you. This package will provide you with a summary of the total cost of education (tuition, fees, books, room and board, travel, personal expenses, etc.) and also all forms of financial aid for which you qualify, such as scholarships from Seton Hall and need-based grants from the federal or state government.

Click here to view all financial aid FAQs

Categories: Education