Video help - Filing Out Your FAFSA

  • Four tips when applying for financial aid.

  • Create a Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID).

What You Should Know

Financial Aid for 2025-2026

Current and prospective students looking for financial aid for the 2025-2026 academic year should complete the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The UMass Lowell priority filing deadline is March 1.

To prepare for the 2025-2026 form, students and their required contributors can get ready by:

  • Create a Federal Student Aid account (FSA-ID) if you don't already have one. All FAFSA contributors should have a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID prior to completing the FAFSA; this includes contributors without a Social Security number (SSN).
  • Gather personal information needed to complete the FAFSA form, including Social Security Number for student and required contributors with an SSN. If the student is an eligible non-citizen, they should have their Alien Registration Number available.  
  • Determine your dependency status, and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information to your FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, use the Who's My FAFSA Parent? tool to determine which parent(s) will be a required contributor.
  • Students and contributors should gather their 2023 federal tax information; while most students and contributors should have their tax information pulled over through the IRS-Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX), there are some cases when the information will not pull over.
  • If the student or parent/contributor received child support in the last calendar year, the total amount received must reported on the FAFSA, as it is considered untaxed income.
  • Have bank statements and investment records for students and contributors available, including stocks, bond, real estate (not the family home), and other investments.

Incoming students can get an estimate of their aid eligibility with the Net Price Calculator.

Financial Aid for 2024-2025

Current and prospective student looking for financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year, including Summer 2025, should complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) . 

  • All FAFSA contributors should create an FSA-ID (if you don't already have one) prior to completing the FAFSA.
  • Learn what documents may be needed to complete the FAFSA form.
  • Determine your dependency status, and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information to your FAFSA.
  • If you are a dependent student, use the Who's My FAFSA Parent? tool to determine which parent(s) will be a required contributor.

All Students:

What You Should Do

Check out Your Guide to Financial Aid for information on financial aid programs available to you!