Filing FAFSA for Graduate Students
Applying for federal and state financial aid for new academic year 2018–19.
Students are encouraged to file as soon as possible on or after October 1 of the year preceding the academic year for which financial aid is sought (for 18-1 it was October 1, 2017). The Brooklyn College priority filing deadline is May 1.
Prior to Completing the FAFSA
Federal Program Requirements
To qualify, a student must:
- be matriculated,
- be enrolled for at least six credits,
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and
- maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)
The first step in filing a FAFSA is to apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). If you have forgotten your FSA ID, you can use the forgot my username and password option on the FSA ID webpage. Your FSA ID serves as your electronic signature on the FAFSA and is used to login to all Federal Student Aid websites and provides access to your personal records it is therefore, critical that it remain as secure as possible.
- CUNY Brooklyn College federal school code is: 002687
Print a 2018–19 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet
The worksheet allows you to read and complete the questions before entering your information online.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
There are two ways you may file a 2018–19 FAFSA:
- File online
- It's quick: Results are sent to you via e-mail by the next business day.
- It's easy: Detailed help screens guide you through every question.
- It's accurate: Inconsistent answers are flagged so you can correct mistakes before submitting the application.
- It's safe: Encryption keeps your information safe when you send it to us.
- File a paper application. If you do not have Internet access, you can request a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800.4.FED.AID (800.433.3243) or 319.337.5665. (Hearing impaired TTY users can call 800.730.8913.)
- After completing the paper FAFSA, you mail us the form in the attached pre-addressed envelope.
- Your paper FAFSA will be processed in two to three weeks.
- If you don't hear anything within three weeks of the date it was mailed, you can check the status by going to the FAFSA website.
- You can also check by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the numbers listed above.
Verification
Upon receipt of your completed new FAFSA or Renewal, you will receive an electronic letter indicating if additional documentation is needed in order to complete your application via CUNYFirst and delivered to your campus e-mail address. This process is called verification and the e-letter will contact instruction on specifically what you need to submit to the office of financial aid at Brooklyn College. Verification may require that you document reported income, U.S. taxes paid, family household size and the number of family members in college. Additionally you may be required to validate your reported Social Security number, citizenship status, selective service, and/or immigration and naturalization status. Any and all requested documentation should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid for review and corrections. We urge you not to submit corrections on your own, as additional changes may be necessary and we can expedite these corrections.
The Office of Financial Aid has created a few instructional guides on how to manage (claim your account, view your financial aid "To-Do" list, view/accept/decline awards, enroll in direct deposit, etc.) in CUNYfirst. Learn More.
All financial aid forms, are located and the link provided below:
Note: Most graduate students fund their education at Brooklyn College through the Federal Direct Loan program. The Office of Financial Aid has created a Direct Loan Handout, to assist you in understanding Federal Direct Loan awarding process at Brooklyn College.
Additional Federal Programs
Federal William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
The Federal William D. Ford Direct Loan Program allows eligible students to borrow money directly from the federal government. These programs include the subsidized, unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS loans. Under the Federal Direct Loan Program, a student may borrow up to $20,500 depending on eligibility for each academic year of graduate or professional-degree study up to an aggregate of $138,000, including any loans for undergraduate study. The loans carry a variable interest rate that currently is capped at 8.25 percent. Repayment of loans begins six months after a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) as a matriculated student. Current interest rate information is available on the Federal Student Aid webpage.
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is an employment program that pays eligible students in good academic standing an hourly wage for work done for the college or public or other nonprofit agencies. A student may work six to 20 hours a week while enrolled.
International students are not eligible for participation in the Federal Work-Study Program.
