The FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a federal form used by all schools that offer federal financial aid to help determine the student’s level of financial need.
The FAFSA serves as the primary application for student loans and is also a required application step for all Denver Seminary grants and scholarships.
FAFSA Resources
Applying for FAFSA
- Apply for a FSA ID. The Department of Education has replaced the previously used FAFSA PIN with the new FSA ID. In order to apply for a FSA ID, please click here.
- Go to the FAFSA website and follow the easy step-by-step guide. Denver Seminary’s school code is 001352.
Helpful Tips
Choose the correct year’s FAFSA. Our academic year begins with our fall semester (Aug – Dec) and ends with our summer semester (May – Aug).
The FAFSA now has an IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If you have completed your tax return you will be given a set of questions to determine if you can use this tool. If you can answer “None of the above” you will be directed to this tool, which will allow you to automatically transfer your information directly from the IRS to your FAFSA. To successfully retrieve your IRS data, wait 2 weeks after you have filed electronically or 8 weeks if you filed a paper return. After the transfer is complete, do not alter the information identified as “Transferred from the IRS.” If this information is altered your FAFSA may get chosen for Verification.
When to Complete a FAFSA
If you are applying for grants and scholarships it needs to be completed by the scholarship application deadline. The priority deadline for fall-starts is April 1st, while the priority deadline for spring-starts is November 1st. This will guarantee that we actually receive your FAFSA by the time that the Scholarship Committee meets to review your application, since it takes 3-5 business days to reach us. If you submit the scholarship application after the priority deadline please complete the FAFSA ASAP, as we cannot evaluate your application until we have received the FAFSA.
Only applying for student loans? Fall-starts need to complete the FAFSA by August 1st in order to meet the fall payment deadline. Spring-starts need to complete it by January 1st in order to meet the spring payment deadline. If you are not depending on loans to cover tuition (and thus the payment deadline) you can request funds anytime during an eligible semester or term. In other words, as long as you are enrolled (3 credits) you can request loans up until the last day of that semester or term (please allow at least 3 weeks after completing the FAFSA before expecting to receive a refund check in the mail).
What happens after I apply?
After Denver Seminary receives your FAFSA the Financial Aid Office will check once per week with Admissions to verify your acceptance status. Once you have been accepted into a degree program (MA, MDIV, DMIN, Grad Cert, Cert of Completion) you will be sent an email with instructions on how to view and accept your Award Letter via the Student Portal. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid.