FAFSA Made Clear: A Guide for Carlow Students and Families

At Carlow University, students receive more than a career-ready education in the heart of Pittsburgh. They join a close-knit, Mercy-rooted community devoted to helping them build the future they want. Understanding financial aid is an important part of that commitment, and Carlow is here to help students and families make informed decisions at every step.

Paying for college can feel complicated. The FAFSA is designed to make the process easier by helping students access grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and federal student loans. Whether you are applying to Carlow University for the first time or returning for another year, completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps you can take.

What Is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is the form the federal government uses to determine your eligibility for financial assistance with college expenses.

The FAFSA may help you qualify for:

Federal grants that generally do not need to be repaid
Federal student loans
Federal work-study opportunities
State aid (Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia)
Certain Carlow University scholarships and grants

The FAFSA is free to complete. You don’t need a company to submit it for you. If you need help, Carlow is here to support you.

Why Does the FAFSA Matter?

Even if you are unsure whether your family will qualify for aid, it is still worth applying. Financial aid eligibility depends on several factors, not income alone.

Completing the FAFSA gives Carlow the information needed to prepare your financial aid offer. It may also be required for aid from federal, state, and institutional sources.

You must submit a new FAFSA for every academic year in which you want to receive financial aid.

Know the Important Deadlines

FAFSA deadlines can vary depending on the type of aid.

Federal deadline: The FAFSA typically remains open through June 30 following the academic year. For example, the federal deadline for the 2026-2027 FAFSA is June 30, 2027.
Pennsylvania deadline: The filing deadline for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is May 1 prior to the start of the academic year. For example, all PA residents seeking financial aid in 2027-2028 should file the FAFSA before May 1, 2027, to maximize their financial aid.
Carlow priority dates: Carlow may use earlier priority dates when awarding certain forms of institutional aid.

Submit the FAFSA as early as possible. Some funding is limited and may be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

What You Will Need

Before you begin, gather the following information:

Your Social Security number, if applicable
Your federal tax information from two years prior to when you are applying for financial aid. For example, if you are applying for aid in the 2027-2028 academic year, you will use tax information from 2025.
Records of assets, if requested
A current email address
Information for any required parent, spouse, or other contributor
Carlow University’s federal school code

Each required contributor must create their own StudentAid.gov account. Contributors should not share accounts or create an account for someone else.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Create your StudentAid.gov account: Visit StudentAid.gov and create an account. If a parent, spouse, or other contributor must provide information, that person will need a separate account.
Start the correct FAFSA: Select the form for the academic year in which you plan to attend Carlow. Double-check the year before entering your information.
Add Carlow University: Include Carlow so the University receives your FAFSA information. Carlow’s federal school code is 003303.
Invite required contributors: Depending on your circumstances, the FAFSA may require financial information and consent from a parent, spouse, or other contributor. Being identified as a contributor does not make that person responsible for paying your college expenses.
Review and submit: Check names, Social Security numbers, dates, financial information, and school selections carefully. Every required person must provide consent and complete their portion before the form can be processed.
Review your FAFSA Submission Summary: After your FAFSA is processed, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary. Review it for errors and respond promptly if additional information is requested.

Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple mistakes can delay your financial aid offer:

Waiting too long: Submit early, even if the federal deadline is months away.
Choosing the wrong academic year: Confirm that the FAFSA matches your intended enrollment period.
Leaving out Carlow: Carlow must be listed to receive your information.
Using the wrong account: Each student and contributor needs a separate StudentAid.gov account.
Entering names differently: Use legal names exactly as they appear on official records.
Skipping contributor consent: The FAFSA may not process without consent from every required contributor.
Leaving fields incomplete: Follow the form’s instructions rather than guessing or skipping questions.
Ignoring follow-up messages: Carlow or Federal Student Aid may request documentation before aid can be finalized.
Assuming you will not qualify: Apply anyway. The FAFSA can affect eligibility for several kinds of aid.

What Happens After You Submit?

Once Carlow receives your FAFSA information, the University will review your eligibility and prepare a financial aid offer. In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional documentation. Either way, we’re here to help.