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Why Should You Complete the FAFSA?
Filing a FAFSA is the single most important thing you can do to get money for college. Completing the FAFSA gives you access to federal student aid — the largest source of aid — along with state and institutional aid. FAFSA submission is also required for some scholarships at OHIO, and you don't have to have financial need to be eligible. You are not obligated to accept any types of financial aid offered, including loans. Completing the FAFSA gives you and your family financial options, so submit the FAFSA once it's available this fall!
2025-26 FAFSA Timeline Updates
OHIO is closely monitoring the timeline for the launch of the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Priority dates and financial aid timelines may be adjusted to account for changes to the FAFSA launch date.We will post any updates to our process and timelines here to keep you informed.
- FAFSA Launch:While the FAFSA has typically been available October 1 each year, the U.S. Department of Education has announced that the 2025-2026 FAFSA will open for testing in October 2024 and to all students and families by December 1, 2024. The December release date is only applicable to the 2025-26 FAFSA, and no changes have been announced for future years.
- Merit Scholarship Notifications:OHIO will begin sending merit scholarship notifications in December 2024.
- FAFSA First-Priority Date:OHIO's first-priority date for submission of the FAFSA is February 15, 2025.
- Financial Aid Offers:Financial Aid Offers are anticipated to begin in March 2025. Incoming freshmen and transfer students will receive a printed Financial Aid Offer via mail. All other students are notified via email to review their Financial Aid Offers in MyOHIO Student Center.
Visit the FAFSA Simplification page for more information on the changes to the application process and calculation of financial aid eligibility.
Those without internet access, can obtain a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Center at 1.800.4FED.AID (1.800.433.3243).
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2024-25 FAFSA Submission
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is still available, and we encourage all students to submit their FAFSA for best consideration for aid.
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FAFSA Completion Help
Choose a virtual appointment or meet with a financial aid advisor in person at Chubb Hall on the Athens campus.
Items Needed to Complete the FAFSA
- Social Security Number of Student and Parents of Dependent Students
- Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
- Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
- Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
- An FSA ID to sign electronically
- The appropriate federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned based on the FAFSA you are completing
| If You Plan to Attend College From | You Can Submit the FAFSA From | Must Use Tax Information From |
|---|---|---|
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Summer Semester 2024 - Spring Semester 2025
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December 2023 - mid-April 2025 | 2022 |
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Summer Semester 2025 - Spring Semester 2026
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December 2024 - mid-April 2025 | 2023 |
Students will list the Federal School Code for the campus they plan to attend on the FAFSA. If you are unsure of which campus you plan to attend, please list the Athens campus Federal School Code. All Ohio University Federal School Codes are as follows:
| Campus | Federal School Code |
|---|---|
| Athens | 003100 |
| Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | E00306 |
| Eastern | 003101 |
| Chillicothe | 003102 |
| Southern | 003103 |
| Lancaster | 003104 |
| Zanesville | 003108 |