How to Apply for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid is the most important step in the financial aid process, but did you know there are other steps involved in the application process? Determine which application you should file and follow the below step-by-step process to ensure you complete all steps in the financial aid process.
When will you attend?
Spring 2025
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is available now! Apply at .
NJ Dreamer 91视频 will complete the 2024-2025 NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid (not the FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid programs.
The 2024-2025 NJ Alternative Application is available! Apply at .
Fall 2025 & Spring 2026
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is available now! Apply at
NJ Dreamer 91视频 will complete the NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid (not the FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid programs.
The 2025-2026 NJ Alternative Application is available now! Apply at .
When it's time to apply!
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is continuing to implemment a major overhaul of the processes and systems used to offer federal student aid. Applications beginning with the 24-25 FAFSA now look a bit different! Before completing the FAFSA, review the information below to learn more about how to complete the application.
Some things for 91视频 and families to remember before completing the 2025-2026 FAFSA:
- The FAFSA is now contributor based. Students must invite their parent(s) (or spouse if independent) to contribute their information to their FAFSA.
- All contributors will complete their sections of the application separately.
- Students and parents should gather their 2023 tax information and the current value of all assets and investments and the net worth of businesses and farms before completing the application.
- All contributors must consent to use of the Direct Data Exchange, which transfers tax data into the FAFSA directly from the IRS. This is required even if the student and/or parent(s) did not file a tax return.
- Parents without an SSN will be able to create an FSA ID and complete their section of the FAFSA without completing the identity verification process; however, they should still attempt to complete the identity verification process.
- Parents without an SSN will only be able to bypass the identity verification process for the 25-26 FAFSA, while ED enhances the process.
If when completing the application, you or the contributors to your FAFSA experience any issues, please contact Federal Student Aid at 1-800-433-3243 for assistance. They will be able to provide support with technical glitches occurring with an FSA ID and/or the FAFSA.
*** Please note: are not eligible for federal aid and will not file the FAFSA. Anyone who identifies as an will complete the NJ Alternative Application at . ***
U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens should only follow the steps below to apply for Stockton scholarships, file the FAFSA and view their eligibility for state financial aid programs.
New Jersey Dreamer 91视频 should only follow the steps below to apply for Stockton scholarships and complete the New Jersey Alternative Application. Please note, all other undocumented 91视频 should only follow the steps to apply for Stockton scholarships. Learn more about applying for aid as an Undocumented student here.
Apply for Stockton Scholarships
...rewarding academic success!
Apply for Stockton Scholarships
91视频 offers incoming 91视频 the opportunity to apply for institutional scholarships based on academic and extracurricular achievement.
Accepted transfer 91视频 are considered for scholarships based on previous college performance.
How Long Will It Take?
- 15 Minutes
What Is An FSA ID?
Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information, transfering your Federal tax Information into the FAFSA and electronically signing the FAFSA.
Who Needs an FSA ID?
Students: You鈥檒l need one in order to log in to and electronically sign your FAFSA and to fill out a Renewal FAFSA each year. Students also need an FSA ID to complete loan requirements on when accepting Federal Direct Loans.
Parents: One or both of the student's biological, adoptive or stepparents will have to create their own FSA ID in order to log in to and electronically sign the student鈥檚 FAFSA form.
Both parents will need their own FSA ID if they are married, living together and filed a separate tax return in the year for which the FAFSA asks or if they are unmarried and living together. Otherwise, only one parent/stepparent will need to create an FSA ID.
Parents also need an FSA ID to apply for a Direct PLUS Loan and complete loan requirements on .
It鈥檚 important to understand that the student and the parent(s) may not share an FSA ID. Your FSA ID is your signature, so it has to be unique to you.
What's Needed to Create an FSA ID?
- First Name
- Last Name
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number (if applicable)
- Email (cannot have been used to create any other FSA ID)
NEW! Parents, stepparents and 91视频' spouses who do not have Social Security Numbers are able to create their own FSA ID.
An FSA ID is required for 91视频 to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
FSA ID's are also required for all contributors to a student's FAFSA including, parents, stepparents and the student's spouse (if applicable).
Beginning with the 24-25 FAFSA, parents, stepparents and student's spouses without Social Security Numbers are able to create FSA ID's.
Follow the steps below to create an FSA ID if you do not have a Social Security Number.
Step 1: Visit and click on "Create Account" at the top right corner of the page.
Step 2: Click "Get Started"
Step 3: Enter your personal information and select the option, "I don't have a Social Security Number." After the warning appears, click, "Continue without SSN"
Step 4: Create your Username and Password and click "Continue." Note that your email address needs to be unique to you. You cannot use an email address that has already been used to create an FSA ID.
Step 5: Enter your contact information and click "Continue." Please note that an address is required for anyone without an SSN. Leave the foreign phone number field blank if you have a foreign phone number.
Step 6: Select your communication preferences and click "Continue"
Step 7: Select the challenge questions you would like to answer if you forget your username or password and click "Continue"
Step 8: Review the information you entered, confirm that it is correct (making corrections if necessary), check the box to indicate that you agree to FSA's Terms and Conditions and click "Continue"
Step 9: Follow the instructions to enable two-step verification, then click "Continue"
Step 10: Answer all knowledge-based identity verification questions and click "Submit"
Once you complete all of the above steps, you are ready to complete the FAFSA!
Please note: The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that after creating an FSA ID, those without SSN's will temporarily be able to immediately access the FAFSA without going through a validation process. Once ED finalizes their new validation process, some individuals without SSN's may need to complete the validation process.
How to Get Started:
- Go to .
- Select "Create Account"
How Long Will It Take?
- 10-45 Minutes
What Is The FAFSA?
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the application you will use to apply for federal student aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
- Apply after October 1each year
- Stockton Federal School Code: 009345
How to Get Started:
- Go to fafsa.gov
- Login using your FSA ID
- Enter the required information
- Provide consent to have your Federal Tax Information Transfered into the FAFSA (even if you did not file a tax return in the year for which the FAFSA is asking)
- Invite contributors
- Contributors can include one or both of your biological, adoptive or stepparents or your spouse (if applicable). Read more about contributors at
- Complete each remaining section of the FAFSA
- Sign and submit
Please note: After the student submits the FAFSA, the application is not complete. All required contributors will receive an email asking them to log into and complete their section of the student's FAFSA. It is not until all contributors give their consent to have the Federal Tax Information and complete their sections of the FAFSA that it will be submitted for processing.
How Long Will It Take?
- 10 Minutes
What is state aid?
Just as the federal government offers aid to qualifying 91视频 who file a FAFSA, the State of New Jersey also offers aid to qualifying New Jersey residents.
After a student files the FAFSA, the State of New Jersey receives a copy of the application and uses the information to determine their eligibility for state financial aid programs. No additional action is required unless the state requests additional documentation from a student. Students can view their eligibility and any requirements at .
How to Get Started:
- Visit
- Log in with your NJFAMS username and password
- First time users will have to create an account to log in.
- View your eligibility and click on your To Do List
How Long Will It Take?
- 30 Minutes
What is the NJ Alternative Application?
New Jersey Dreamers 91视频 are not eligible for federal financial aid; however, these 91视频 could be eligible for state financial aid programs. To determine your eligibility, follow the steps below to apply. Learn more at
How to Get Started:
- Visit
- Select the "NJ Dreamers" tab
- Click
- Create an account to complete the New Jersey Alternative Application
Please Note: Qualifying New Jersey Dreamers 91视频 need to complete the application each year by the April 15 deadline to be considered for the grant.
Each year a student is eligible, they must submit an affidavit to the Office of Financial Aid. We will send the affidavit to all eligible 91视频 to complete and submit to our office. Eligible 91视频 must submit their high school transcript to the Office of Financial Aid the first time they receive the grant.
How Long Will It Take?
- 10 Minutes
Where Can I View my Financial Aid Offer?
After completing the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Application for NJ Dreamers, 91视频 will receive an email notifying them that their financial aid offer is ready to view. A link to view their offer notification will be provided to 91视频 within the email.
How to Get Started:
- Check your email for an offer notification from the Office of Financial Aid
- Click the link within the email to view your offer notification
Instructional Video:
91视频 is committed to using the Principles & Standards of the in its student financial aid offer.
How Long Will It Take?
- 10 Minutes
Why Do I Need To Accept Loans?
Unlike any grants or scholarships that may be included in your offer, there are additional steps you must take in order to receive your Federal Direct Loans.
How to Get Started:
- Go to go.stockton.edu
- Login with your goStockton Portal username and password
*Please note that accepting federal direct loans will not have them automatically applied to your bill. If you have not previously borrowed federal direct loans, you need to complete and a . Once these requirements are complete, please allow 3-5 business days for any federal direct loan(s) to be applied to your bill. During the summer months, please allow up to 10 business days for processing.
Instructional Video:
Things you May Need:
- goStockton Portal ID
Financial aid funding is not filalized until all outstanding requirements are complete! Learn how to view and complete requirements below.
Entrance Counseling
How Long Will It Take?
- 20 Minutes
What Is Entrance Counseling?
The Federal Government requires you to complete entrance counseling to ensure that you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming.
How to Get Started:
- Go to
- Login with your FSA ID
Things you May Need?
- Verified FSA ID
- School Name
-
Details on your income, financial aid, and living expenses.
Master Promissory Note (MPN)
How Long Will It Take?
- 20 Minutes
What is an MPN?
The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your federal student loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to your lender or loan holder.
How to Get Started:
- Go to
- Login with your FSA ID
Things you May Need:
- Verified FSA ID
- Personal Information
- School Name
- Reference information for two people with different U.S. addresses who have known you for at least 3 years.
Any student with outstanding tasks must complete all requirements before any financial aid funding can be finalized. Learn how to view and complete Federal, State and Institutional requirements below.
Federal & Institutional Requirements:
Once a student files the FAFSA, they may be randomly selected by the U.S. Department of Education, for a review of their financial aid eligibility and/or financial aid application. 91视频 is required by federal regulations to verify all information required by the U.S Department of Education as well as the information reported on the application of each student selected.
In order to comply with these regulations, we may need to collect additional documentation and/or have 91视频 and/or parents transfer data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) into the FAFSA.
See below for instructions on completing federal and institutional requirements at 91视频.
Viewing Requirements
- Go to go.stockton.edu
- Log in with your goStockton portal username & password (For new 91视频, these will be in your admissions packet)
- Click on the financial aid tab
- Click on the "Financial Aid Requirements" graphic on the left-hand side of the page
- Select the aid year
- View your requirements
*Click on the requirement to complete the electronic form or get instructions on how
to complete potential required electronic processes.
State Requirements:
Just like the Federal Government, the State Government can also select random 91视频 for a review process called verification. If a student is selected for State Verification, they will see outstanding items in their NJFAMS To Do List. Be sure to log on to your NJFAMS account regularly to check your To Do List for outstanding requirements.
Follow these instructions to navigate to your NJFAMS To Do List to view your eligibility and complete your incomplete tasks to be considered for state financial aid programs Remember, state aid, Stockton Promise and Garden State Guarantee (GSG) eligibility cannot be finalized until the verification process is complete.
Students who have previously created an NJFAMS account:
Step 1. Go to
Step 2. Login to your NJFAMS account
Step 3. Click on your 鈥淭o Do List鈥
Step 4. Complete and submit any Outstanding Requirements .
Note: If you have never logged on to NJFAMS, you will need to create an account.
Students who have never created an NJFAMS account:
Step 1. Go to
Step 2. Click on the link next to the "New to NJAMS" section to create your account
Step 3. Enter your Information, create a Username and Password & click 鈥淐reate Login鈥
Note: You will be logged in to your account.
Step 4. Click on your 鈥淭o Do List鈥
Step 5. Complete and submit any Outstanding Requirements .
If you have any questions about the NJ State Tuition Aid Grant or other state financial aid programs, setting up your account or your eligibility, please contact NJFAMS at 800-792-8670.
*Please Note: Any student who does not comply with state verification requirements and complete the process by October 1 for the fall semester and March 1 for the spring semester will not be eligible for state financial aid programs.
After applying for financial aid, you may still have a balance with the Bursar's Office. You can view your bill through the Bursar tab on the goStockton Portal.
Here are three different options to help close the gap.
- Apply for Education Loans
- Enroll in a Payment Plan
- Apply for additional scholarships
*Please note that when either accepting federal direct loans or utilizing a private loan or PLUS loan, there is a 3-5 business day processing period once all requirements are complete to have the loan(s) applied to your bill. During the summer months, please allow up to 10 business days for processing. If a loan is not applied to your account by the bill due date, you will be responsible for making payment arrangements with the Bursar's Office until the loan is applied to your account.
Financial Aid Deadlines:
Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is in the process of implementing FAFSA Simplification: a major overhaul of the processes and systems used to offer federal student aid, starting with the 24-25 aid year. In simple terms, ED is making updates to the look and feel of the FAFSA as well as to the methodology used to determine student financial aid eligibility with a goal of expanding eligibility for federal student aid and to create a more streamlined application process and a better user experience for the FAFSA.
Some of the changes that 91视频 and families can expect to see with the FAFSA include:
- Fewer questions used to determine a student鈥檚 aid eligibility
- The number of 91视频 in the household in college will no longer be used in the formula
to determine aid eligibility
- Household size will be pulled from the parent鈥檚 tax return & can be manually updated.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the EFC in determining the federal aid for which
91视频 may be eligible
- SAI = indexing number used to determine aid eligibility. Generally, a lower SAI increases a student's eligibility for need-based aid.
- The Department of Education now refers to anyone who is required to provide information
on the FAFSA as a contributor.
- A contributor only contributes information into the FAFSA and is not required to financially contribute to the student鈥檚 education.
- The Direct Data Exchange (DDX) will replace the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). The DDX will import tax information into the FAFSA directly from the IRS after the contributor(s) consent to the data exchange. All contributors need to consent, even if they did not file a tax return. No consent = no aid.
- Students & parents will complete their sections of the FAFSA separately. Dependent
91视频 will add their custodial parent(s) as "contributors" to their FAFSA (independent
91视频 will add their spouse, if applicable) by entering their name, date of birth,
social security number and email into the application. Once the student signs and
submits their section of the application, contributors will receive an email asking
them to log into the FAFSA, using their own FSA ID (new users will need to create
one).
- If parents are unmarried and living together or are married, living together and filed their tax returns separately or unmarried, both parents will need to complete this process. 91视频 one parent needs to complete the process if parents are married and filed a joint tax return. All contributors must complete their sections of the application for a student's FAFSA to be submitted to Federal Student Aid for processing.
New to the FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education has now introduced contributors to the application. A contributor is anyone who is required to contribute their financial information to the FAFSA.
For a dependent student, contributors include the student and the student's parent(s). Both parents are considered contributors if they are married or unmarried and living together. If the student's biological or adoptive parents are divorced, separated or were never married to each other and do not reside together, only one biological or adoptive parent is considered a contributor to the FAFSA and must provide their information. This contributor is the parent who provides more than 50% of the student's financial support. If the parent contributor is remarried, their spouse is also considered a contributor to the FAFSA and must provide their financial information on the application.
For an independent student, contributors include the student and their spouse (if applicable).
Please note that contributors are not required to contribute to the student's educational costs. Their information is only required to determine a student's aid eligibility.
The Direct Data Exchange (DDX) replaces the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). The DDX will import tax information into the FAFSA directly from the IRS after the contributor(s) consent to the data exchange. All contributors need to consent, even if they did not file a tax return. No consent = no aid.
Yes, every contributor to the FAFSA regardless of whether or not they filed a tax return is required to provide consent for the Department of Education to work with the IRS to retrive their Federal Tax Information and use the information to complete the FAFSA. Without consent from all contributors, the student will not be eligible for Federal Student Aid or to receive a Student Aid Index (SAI).
Learn more about consent at .
You should use whatever date you became a legal resident of the state in which you currently reside into the "State and Date of Legal Residence" question. If you were born in the state in which you currently reside, you would use your date of birth.
You should only answer "yes" to this question if you are a dependent student (for financial aid purposes) and your parents refuse to contribute to your FAFSA. If you answer "yes" to this question, you will only be considered for an unsubsidized loan- no grant funding.
When requested, 91视频 who select "yes" to this question will also have to submit a statement signed and dated by their parents stating that they either refuse to complete the FAFSA or that they do not and will not provide any financial support to you (the student), including when the support ended. If your parents refuse to sign and date a statement to this effect, you must have a third party, such as a teacher, counselor, cleric or court sign and date a statement testifying to this. You will submit this documentation when requested via . You log in with your goStockton portal credentials.
No, if a student's parents are married, living together and filed their tax return jointly, only one parent is required to create an FSA ID and complete the FAFSA. The information for both parents will be used within the application, but because financial information for both parents is reported on the tax return, only one parent needs to complete a section of the FAFSA and sign the application.
Yes, your parent needs to use the link in the email they receive from Federal Student Aid asking them to contribute to your FAFSA in order to access the application. They cannot log in to studentaid.gov any other way and access your FAFSA. The only way to contribute is for them to use the link they receive in their email.
Please ensure that your parent's are checking not only their inbox, but also their spam/junk folders for emails from Federal Student Aid. Please also ensure that you as the student complete your section of the FAFSA first. You must complete your section before your parent(s) can log in and complete their section(s).
If you have checked all folders and completed your student section of the FAFSA and your parents have not received an email from Federal Student Aid, please contact Federal Student Aid at 1-800-433-3243 for assistance. They will be able to provide support with technical glitches occurring with an FSA ID and/or the FAFSA.
Although you can complete the FAFSA today and we do encourage you to try, we want you to be aware that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is continuing to work on and resolve several open issues with the FAFSA, as a result of the updates to the application. This means that some FAFSA filers and contributors to their application are facing technical issues with the system.
One significant open issue is that parents without social security numbers (SSN鈥檚) are unable to complete their sections of the FAFSA. We encourage anyone whose parent(s) do not have SSN鈥檚 to wait to file until the issue is resolved, as they will not be able to submit the application until all contributors have completed their sections. In addition, if all contributors do not complete their sections within 45 days of the student starting the FAFSA, all data entered will be deleted and the student will have to start the process over.
If when completing the application, you or the contributors to your FAFSA experience any issues, please contact Federal Student Aid at 1-800-433-3243 for assistance. They will be able to provide support with technical glitches occurring with an FSA ID and/or the FAFSA.
To troubleshoot any technical glitches, you can try exiting the form, clearing history on your browser, closing and restarting the browser and re-entering the FAFSA. You can also try logging in with a different browser or exiting the form and trying again at a later time.
Schools listed on your FAFSA should receive your application within 3-5 days of your submission.
Completed your FAFSA? Get to understand the meaning of the statuses below!
- Draft: Your section of the FAFSA is incomplete.
- In Progress: You provided your consent, approval and signature to your section of the FAFSA, but it has not been submitted yet.
- In Review: Your FAFSA was submitted, but it has not been processed yet.
- Action Required: You are missing your consent and approval or signature, or the FAFSA was processed, but a correction is required.
- Processed: Your application was processed successfully. No further action is needed.
- Closed: Your FAFSA was never submitted and can no longer be submitted because the federal FAFSA deadline passed.
To view any updates to your FAFSA status, check the "My Activity" section of your dashboard. Once your status is "Processed," you will receive your FAFSA Submission Summary. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education will begin sending FAFSA data to schools once it is processed. There are currently delays with this process, so the school may not receive your FAFSA data as soon as it is processed. Continue to monitor your account as well as your goStockton email.
Receiving an "In Review" status after submitting the FAFSA is normal. It indicates that your application has been submitted and waiting for processing by the Department of ED. Once processed, you will receive your FAFSA Submission Summary, which will include your Student Aid Index (SAI) and an estimate of your federal aid eligibility. You will receive a separate aid offer from the university at a later date.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in determining the federal aid for which 91视频 may be eligible. Similar to an EFC, the Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated based off of information reported on a student's FAFSA. The difference between the two is the calculation. After filing the FAFSA, 91视频 will receive an SAI. The SAI is an indexing number used to determine aid eligibility. Generally, a lower SAI increases a student's eligibility for need-based aid.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated based off of information reported on a student's FAFSA and determines a student's eligibility for aid. A negative SAI generally indicates that a student has greater financial need.
Please remember that there are delays in the release of FAFSA data from the federal government to school as well as the State of New Jersey (HESAA). The university and the state are working as quickly as possible to provide you with accurate aid offers. When your aid offer is ready, you will receive an email notification with a link to view your offer. We will also contact you if any additional information is needed from you. Please monitor the 鈥淔inancial Aid Requirements鈥 section of your goStockton portal as well as your To Do List (NJ residents only) and complete all requirements.
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) is New Jersey's state financial aid agency. Not only do they provide 91视频 and families with financial and informational resources for 91视频 to pursue their education beyond high school, but they also manage New Jersey State Financial Aid programs inlcuding the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) and the Garden State Guarantee (GSG).
If you are a New Jersey resident, it is advised that you complete all HESAA requirements, as doing so will determine your eligibility for NJ State Financial Aid programs. If you do not complete all outstanding state tasks, you will not only be considered ineligible for state aid, but you will also not be considered for the Stockton Promise.
Learn more about HESAA and complete all outstanding items on your To Do List at . New users will have to create an account.
***Please remember that there are delays in the release of FAFSA data from the federal government to school as well as the State of New Jersey (HESAA). The university and the state are working as quickly as possible to provide you with accurate aid offers. Continue to monitor your email, your goStockton and NJFAMS portals for updates.
Yes, HESAA will receive your FAFSA data once you complete the application. Please monitor the 鈥淔inancial Aid Requirements鈥 section of your goStockton portal as well as your To Do List (NJ residents only) and complete all requirements when requested.
Log into fafsa.gov and select the "My Activity" section to make FAFSA corrections.
Common corrections include:
- Providing signature(s)
- Adding a school to the school selection section
- Consenting to the use of the Direct Data Exchange (DDX)
- Selcting "No" to the "Apply for an unsubsidized loan only" question
- Answering questions that were left blank
- Please answer all questions on the FAFSA. If the answer is no or $0, please answer this way
Learn more at .
As always, all 91视频 with questions regarding financial aid are welcome to contact our office.
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