Applying for Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Information

Updated September 26, 2025


General Information

Every year students and families must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate aid year in order to be considered for federal (and some state) financial aid, including student loans.

2026-2027 - The 2026-2027 FAFSA is now available. This is used for students attending fall 2026, spring 2027, and summer 2027. View FAFSA pro tips as assistance while completing the FAFSA. If you run into issues while filing the FAFSA, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243. View FAFSA How to Correct or Update FAFSA tips.

2025-2026 - The 2025-2026 FAFSA is now available. This is used for students attending fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026. View FAFSA pro tips as assistance while completing the FAFSA. If you run into issues while filing the FAFSA, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243. View FAFSA How to Correct or Update FAFSA tips.

Priority Deadline for 2026-2027 - January 15, 2026 - Need-based aid has limited funding and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Please file your FAFSA as soon after October 1, 2025 as you can. 

Before Filing The FAFSA make sure to complete the following:

  • FSA ID - Student
    • If you completed the FAFSA in a prior year you already have an FSA ID. Make sure you know the ID and password.
  • FSA ID - Contributor
    • Make sure anyone who will be listed on FAFSA (parent, parent’s spouse, your spouse if married) has an FSA ID and password. If they don't, have them apply now as it can take up to 3 days before it is ready to be used during FAFSA completion.

Tips When Filing the FAFSA

    • 2026-2027 FAFSA for students attending fall 2026, spring 2027, or summer 2027

    • 2025-2026 FAFSA for students attending fall 2025, spring 2026, or summer 2026
    • 2026-2027 FAFSA will use the 2024 federal tax documents.

    • 2025-2026 FAFSA will use the 2023 federal tax documents.

    View FAFSA pro tips as assistance while completing the FAFSA. Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 800-433-3243 or online for assistance with filing the FAFSA (technical issues with FAFSA or FAFSA website, making changes to your FAFSA, Signing your FAFSA, FSA ID and password).

    Both student and parent/contributor need FSA ID.

    Make sure to list your name on your FAFSA exactly as it appears on your Social Security Card. Do not use nicknames, abbreviations, etc.

    A contributor refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student’s FAFSA (such as a parent/stepparent or spouse). A student’s or parent’s answers on the FAFSA will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information.

    Being a contributor does not mean they are financially responsible for the student’s education costs, but it does mean the contributor must provide information on the FAFSA or the application will be incomplete and the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

    For dependent students, financial information will be required from the parent(s) who provided the most financial support to the student in the last 12 months. Use the Parent Wizard to help determine which parent(s) need to be included on the FAFSA.

    The student must be a U.S. Citizen or documented, eligible non-citizen. Your parent does not need to be a citizen. You must be admitted to Winthrop University as a regular degree-seeking undergraduate student, a WinthropLIFE Student, or a graduate student seeking a degree or a certificate in Dietetic Internship or Counseling.

    The number used to determine aid eligibility by colleges.

    Make sure you add Winthrop as a college to receive your FAFSA. 

    These questions will have NO effect on financial aid eligibility and are asked for statistical purposes only. The answers to these questions will not be shared with any college.

What Happens Next

  • Submitting FAFSA to Winthrop University
    • The Office of Financial Aid will receive an electronic copy of your FAFSA approximately 2 weeks after you submit it. 
  • Additional Information
    • Once we receive the FAFSA, you may be requested to provide additional documentation. The Department of Education selects approximately 15 percent of all applicants for a verification process. This means the Office of Financial Aid must collect certain documents to confirm the accuracy of the information you provided on your FAFSA. You will receive an e-mail from us if you need to provide any further information. Requests for information for 26/27 FAFSA will be sent in December for those who file their FAFSA/get admitted by December 1st, and then on an ongoing basis as FAFSAs are received and students are admitted.
  • Financial Aid Offers
    • Once the FAFSA is complete and you are fully admitted to Winthrop, you will receive an e-mail notification directing you to Wingspan to view your financial aid offer (late April for incoming freshmen and transfer students and late June for returning students and graduate students). Spring 2026 admits will start seeing aid offers in Wingspan by early November. Summer 2026 admits will start seeing aid offers in Wingspan by late April (the Summer Aid Application is required before an aid offer can be made). Fall 2026 admits will start seeing aid offers in Wingspan by late February 2026.