Applying for federal and state grants starts with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) administered by the U.S. Department of Education. General Eligibility Requirements must be met for students to be considered for federal and state financial aid programs.
FAFSA Simplification represents big changes to the application form, Pell calculation, processes, and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024-25 award year. Learn more and watch for updates.
Federal Student Aid Estimator is a tool available for you to get an early estimate of how much federal student
aid you may be eligible for in the 2024-25 award year. This will also help identify
which parent to include on the FAFSA form. Reminder, this is an estimate and the amount
of your federal student aid may be different when the FAFSA is completed. Learn more and complete the Federal Student Aid Estimator.
Communications with FAFSA Contributors
Contributors are new to the 2024-25 FAFSA process. The U.S. Department of Education
will issue emails to contributors when they must complete their sections of the FAFSA
and/or provide consent to for the transfer of their tax information. Be sure to open
these official emails and follow the instructions.
How to Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Tips from the U.S. Department of Education to help you successfully complete the 2024-25 FAFSA form.
1. Create a StudentAid.gov Account
If you have not done so already, you will need to create a StudentAid.gov account to apply for, receive and manage your federal student aid. This will create
an FSA ID (username and password) that is used to electronically sign your FAFSA.
If you are a dependent student, a parent will also need to create a StudentAid.gov account.
You will use the same FSA ID to reapply for financial aid each year. Watch this video on creating a StudentAid.gov account.
New! Changes Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA
A contributor is a new term on the 2024-25 FAFSA. A contributor is anyone who is required to provide
consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly from
the IRS into the FAFSA form and provide a signature on the form. A contributor is:
Starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA, you and each contributor will need to create a StudentAid.gov account to enter information and complete their section of the FAFSA. This will create an
FSA ID (username and password) that is used to electronically sign the FAFSA.
Each contributor will need to enter information and complete their section of the
FAFSA. Watch this video to learn about contributors.
Contributors who do not have a social security number are experiencing issues starting
or accessing the 2024-25 FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education is aware of these issues and is working on resolutions.
See FAFSA Contributor Updates and use the link below for more Information.
IMPORTANT: An incomplete 2024-25 FAFSA will be deleted 45 days from the last time
you or any contributor performed an action that saved the application. A FAFSA cannot
be considered submitted until all required contributors have completed, signed and
submitted their sections.
2. Gather Information
You will need to have specific information available when completing the FAFSA.
We encourage you to complete the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize your chances of receiving assistance.
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every academic year.
Be sure to add Harper College's School Code: 003961 to ensure that your information is sent to Harper.
The FAFSA is available in English and Spanish. For assistance in English or Spanish, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC).
Interpretation services are available for assistance in a different language. See information on requesting an interpreter.
There are follow-up steps for you to take after completing the FAFSA.
1. Review the Student Aid Report (SAR) / FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)
Once you submit the FAFSA, the U.S Department of Education emails a copy of the information
you submitted on the FAFSA. For 2023-24, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).
For 2024-25, you will receive a confirmation email and FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS).
You may also view your SAR/FSS online. If there are any errors or rejections noted on the SAR/FSS, promptly follow the
instructions to make the corrections. You may request assistance from Harper College
with making corrections.
2. Complete and Submit Requested Documents to Harper College
We may request additional forms and documents to verify your eligibility and the information
you provided on the FAFSA. You must submit these within the Federal verification and
disbursement deadlines. Failure to provide this information and respond to discrepancies
may result in you not receiving financial aid.
We send financial aid requirements and other important information via email. You can view your outstanding requirements in the Finances tab on the MyHarper Portal. Click on View my Financial Aid Checklist and Details and then select the appropriate aid year. Follow the instructions and include the required signatures. While reviewing your information, corrections may be required to your FAFSA and these will be made by the financial aid staff.
3. Complete the Title IV Authorization Form
Every student receiving federal student aid is required to complete the Title IV Authorization
Form each year. This form is in your requirements in the Finances tab on the MyHarper Portal.
4. Receive a Financial Aid Notification.
Harper College will email you a Financial Aid Notification with information about
your financial aid for the academic year.
How to Complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act allows eligible undocumented students to apply for all forms of state financial aid. The Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid provides a way for these qualified students to apply for the Monetary Award Program (MAP), the state's largest need-based grant program for low-income college students.
For more information, go to RISE Act and Alternative Application (ISAC) or apply at Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.