How do I apply for financial aid?

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  online at FAFSA on the Web.
  • Be sure to authorize release of your data to us.
  • Our college code for the FAFSA is 002739.
  • Our priority filing deadline is February 1.
  • The FAFSA may also be filed in paper format and available at high schools and colleges but we prefer you file online. 
• If you are a NYS resident interested in applying for TAP, you must also file an Express TAP Application (ETA) with the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).
  • To receive an ETA, you must file the FAFSA, authorizing release of FAFSA data to HESC.
• If you are a non-New York state resident, check within your own state to see if there are any grant programs which may be used at Ithaca College.

How long will it take to get a financial aid package?

Anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks from the time you file your FAFSA until the time you receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) from the Department of Education. Ithaca College will also receive the same information within several days of your receipt of the SAR. Once we have received your SAR, and you have been accepted for admission, it will take us about 2 to 4 weeks (depending on packaging volume) to review this information, determine your aid eligibility and provide an award letter to you.

Remember you must be accepted at Ithaca College and have a FAFSA on file in order to receive an aid package.

Should I wait until I have been accepted at Ithaca before filing a FAFSA?

Absolutely not! You do not need to be accepted at the College in order to apply for financial aid. If you wait until you are accepted, it will delay your notification of aid eligibility. File your FAFSA as early as possible, but no sooner than January 1 and preferably no later than February 1. Use estimated income data if necessary.

How do I notify you of unusual circumstances?

You may complete our Changed Family Circumstance Report to notify us of any changes that may have occurred. (See Downloadable Forms.)