Applying/Re-Applying for Financial Aid
The application process to apply for financial aid begins every year on January 1. Fill out the appropriate application corresponding to the academic year of attendance. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority filing date of March 2. If you will not complete your federal tax return by the priority filing date, use an estimated income on your FAFSA. Application may still be submitted after the priority filling date, however funding may be limited.
When filling out the FAFSA, you MUST use your legal name as it appears on your Social Security Card.
New Applicants (Students who have never applied for financial aid)
- Obtain a U.S. Department of Education PIN . This PIN will serve as your electronic signature when completing your online FAFSA. Federal Student Aid (FSA) will send an e-mail with your PIN information and steps for using your PIN
- Go to the FAFSA website to learn about the FAFSA process and complete the application on-line
- Or download and complete a paper version of the FAFSA.
Renewal Applicants (Students who have previously applied for financial aid)
- If you lost or forgot your PIN, you can request a duplicate PIN
- Complete your FAFSA online by selecting the application pertaining to the academic year of attendance
- Or download and complete a paper version of the FAFSA
For a more detailed account of the SJSU financial aid process, visit The 7 Steps to Financial Aid.
NEW for 2012-2013 FAFSA!
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows FAFSA filers to pull specific tax return data directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Electronically filed tax return information will be available online from the IRS site in 1-2 weeks; paper tax returns will be available in 6-8 weeks. If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval function on the FAFSA, you MUST obtain a 2011 Tax Return Transcript from the IRS by visiting www.IRS.gov and clicking on "Order a Transcript" or by calling 1-800-908-9946. Attach the transcript to your documents and submit to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. Copies of tax returns are no longer valid forms of income verification.
View IRS Data Retrieval Process
Eligibility - For 2012-2013, applicants filing an initial or renewal application or making a correction are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool if he or she meets all of the following criteria:
- Must have a valid SSN
- Must have filed a 2011 federal tax return
- Must have unchanged marital status since December 31, 2011
The following list represents who cannot or should not try using the IRS Data Retrieval tool for 2012-2013:
- Parents with all zero's for SSN
- Any student or parent with a marital status date of January 1, 2012 or later
- Any student or parent who indicates they have not already filed a tax return or will not file a tax return
- A married independent applicant and spouse who filed separate tax returns
- Parents of a dependent student who filed separate tax returns
- The applicant, parent, or spouse, as applicable, who have filed an amended tax return
