Most forms of assistance require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines financial need for the Federal student-aid programs as well as some State need-based aid programs.
When To Apply
To meet early filing deadlines, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 for the coming year. It may be completed using prior prior year taxes. For example, 2022 taxes are used for the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
Campus-based federal aid programs (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Work-Study) are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pell Grants and Direct Stafford and PLUS Loans are processed all year; however, early application assures the availability of funds when classes start.
Information regarding Missouri state funding, including applications for those programs that require additional documentation, is online at the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development website. State financial aid program deadlines are listed on the FAFSA.
How To Apply
The quickest way to apply for federal aid is online through the Web at www.studentaid.gov. Both new and renewal applicants can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by accessing this site. New applicants must apply for an FSA Username and Password to sign the FAFSA online. If you are a dependent student, one parent (whose information is on the FAFSA) will also need an FSA Username and Password to sign the application electronically. Your email for the FSA Username and Password may come back to you from the U.S. Department of Education or from cpsnotify@cpsemail.ed.gov.
Helpful resources and information (checklists, videos, etc.) regarding the FAFSA can be found at www.studentaid.gov/resources.
Remember that up to 20 colleges can receive the results of the aid application by listing the school code on the FAFSA. Schools listed will receive the results electronically. The school code for Truman is 002495.
A FAFSA Submission Summary is available on studentaid.gov once the FAFSA has been processed. Students should review the summary to check for errors and correct if necessary.
What Happens Next
After receiving a valid FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office at Truman will send freshmen a paper offer letter with instructions on how to log into TruView (Truman’s student portal) and access the online acceptance. For upperclassmen, we will send you an email directing you to TruView to view and accept/decline the aid offered. Aid offers can also be monitored via the TruView student portal.
You should also review information located on the Financial Aid Office website as it contains additional information regarding academic progress requirements, the Direct Stafford Loan and PLUS Loan application process, the TEACH Grant application process, and descriptions of other financial aid programs.
Verification
About a third of the federal student aid applications are selected for further review. If a student is selected, the Financial Aid Office will request a Verification Worksheet from your family and possibly additional tax information. Federal aid cannot be paid until the review is complete, so return these forms promptly. Only send verification information if your application was selected for review. For more information on verification, click here.
