2024-2025 FAFSA is now available to complete
PRIORITY DEADLINE: March 1
Late applicants can still qualify for direct loans and Pell grants, if eligible.
We encourage all Central Connecticut State University students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA application will determine a student’s eligibility for aid programs, scholarships, and grants from the university and reduces reliance on loans. An early FAFSA opens the opportunity to grant funds available through the university.
Completing Your 2023-2024 FAFSA
- 2021 Federal Tax Return and 2021 W-2(s) - FAFSA requires "Prior, Prior" year Tax Data.*
*Do not be alarmed by the request for 2021 as opposed to, for example, a 2022 Tax Return. - FSA ID, which may be created/retrieved by visiting the FSA ID website.
The FSA ID acts as the FAFSA online signature, as well as the login for other federal websites. - Parent FSA ID (for Dependent students)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is free and completed here. Avoid websites asking for payment.
You can file the FAFSA prior to officially applying for Admissions. You may include up to 10 different schools.
We have a priority deadline of March 1st. You may file after the priority deadline. Aid will be limited to Direct Federal Loans and Pell Grant, if eligible.
To be eligible for financial aid, a student must be:
- Matriculated at Central
- A U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- And maintain a minimum Half-Time Status per semester.
Completing your 2024-2025 FAFSA
You may have heard about The FAFSA Simplification Act which was enacted by Congress in 2021. This act reduces the number of questions students will have to answer on the FAFSA, makes crucial changes to the Higher Education Act of 1965 extends Pell Grant eligibility and removes outdated restrictions to make federal student aid more accessible to all students.
- 2022 Federal Tax Return and 2022 W-2(s) - FAFSA requires "Prior, Prior" year Tax Data.*
*Do not be alarmed by the request for 2022 as opposed to, for example, a 2023 Tax Return. - FSA ID, which may be created/retrieved by visiting the FSA ID website.
The FSA ID acts as the FAFSA online signature, as well as the login for other federal websites. - Parent FSA ID (for Dependent students)
- FSA ID without a SSN
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is free and completed here. Avoid websites asking for payment.
You can file the FAFSA prior to officially applying for Admissions. You may include up to 10 different schools.
We have a priority deadline of March 1st. You may file after the priority deadline. Aid will be limited to Direct Federal Loans and Pell Grant, if eligible.
To be eligible for financial aid, a student must be:
- Matriculated at Central
- A U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- And maintain a minimum Half-Time Status per semester.
View/Accept Financial Aid Award
After completing your FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office will automatically review and award any aid you qualify for.
Types of Aid
Eligible students must be admitted in a program leading to a degree, maintain good academic standing, and enrolled at least Half-Time.
Federal Pell Grant is available for Undergraduate students working on their 1st Bachelor's Degree. Eligibility is based on information reported through FAFSA. There is a limit to Pell Grant eligibility, which equates to 12 Full-Time semesters (more information at the Federal Student Aid website).
CT State University Grants or the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship may be available to Full-Time Undergraduate students working on their 1st Bachelor's Degree. You must complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline and demonstrate eligibility.
All grant offers adjust if a students changes their enrollment status from Full-Time to Part-Time. Contact our office for more information.
The Federal Work-Study Program provides funds to employ students who qualify for financial aid. Students will be considered for an award by submitting their FAFSA by the priority deadline and demonstrating eligibility. Students awarded Work-Study may apply for part-time jobs throughout a variety of departments on campus - available positions posted on Handshake.
Failure to secure a position after the start of the semester would result in cancellation of this award.
The Federal Direct Loan Program provides low-interest, long-term loans. Funding for these loans comes from the Department of Education.
Eligible students must be admitted in a program leading to a degree, maintain good academic standing, and enrolled at least Half-Time.
Loan Types
Subsidized Stafford Loan (Undergraduate Only) and
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (Sub/Unsub)
By applying for FAFSA, students are automatically reviewed for Stafford Loan eligibility. The two bullets below provide vital information for new and continuing loan borrowers. They explain the difference between Sub/Unsub Stafford Loans and how much a person may borrow in an academic year and lifetime. For example, a First-Year student is eligible for $5500, which splits half for Fall and Spring. No more than $3500 may be Sub.
- What is the difference between Sub/Unsub Stafford Loans?
- What are the Maximum Loan Limits?
Interest Rates beginning July 1, 2022:
- Undergraduate | Sub/Unsub Stafford Loans: 4.99% (previously 3.73%)
- Graduate | Unsub: 6.54% (previously 5.28%)
- PLUS Loans | Parent and Graduate Students: 7.54% (previously 6.28%) (more information about these loans below)
To ensure first-time loan borrowers understand their rights and responsibilities with borrowing student loans, they must complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note.
Entrance Counseling Master Promissory Note
PLUS Loan - Available for Parents and Graduate Students
A Parent or Graduate Student may choose to apply for a loan to help supplement the cost of tuition and fees. In the Parent case, they, and not the student, are the borrower. The loan amount is determined the borrower but it cannot exceeded the Cost of Attendance.
Instructions for Plus Loan
(Parent and Graduate)
Loan Origination Fee - (current) Direct Loan: 1.057% | PLUS Loan: 4.228%
Repayment normally begins six months following graduation or if you cease to be enrolled at least half-time. This process will be handled between the borrower and loan servicer. Visit nsldsfap.ed.gov to obtain your individual loan servicer. Please have your FSA ID ready.
Students may choose to borrow private loans outside of Central through a variety of lenders. We require students first complete the FAFSA and suggest utilizing those opportunities before opting for alternative loan options. Informative reading available here - Federal vs. Private Loans