Applying for Federal Financial Aid
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form used to determine how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive, which may include federal grants, work-study funds, and federal loans. Some state and institutional aid and private loan lenders may require you to submit a FAFSA to determine whether you qualify for their aid. Submit the FAFSA for the upcoming school year as soon as possible after it becomes available, usually on October 1st, as funding may be limited due to disbursement on a first come, first serve basis. You will need to enter the North Dakota State University school code of 002997 on your FAFSA form so your information will be sent to NDSU.
- Submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA for the fall 2025, spring 2026, or summer 2026 term
- Submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA for the fall 2026, spring 2027, or summer 2027 term
Prior to starting the FAFSA submission process, you and your contributor(s) will need to create a StudentAid.gov account before you can complete the FAFSA form. You may need to gather information or documents such as tax returns and your parent(s) social security numbers (if you are a dependent student) before you begin to fill out the FAFSA. You can find step-by-step instructions on how to complete the FAFSA on the StudentAid.gov website.
If you need assistance while filling out the FAFSA form there are help options available:
- Click the “?” icon within the online FAFSA form to view a “tool tip” that provides information about how to answer the question
- Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)
- Visit FAFSA Help for a list of frequently asked questions