How to Apply for Financial Aid

The FAFSA is Changing!

The FAFSA is changing! The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is in the process of implementing a major overhaul of the processes and systems used to offer federal student aid, starting with the 24-25 aid year. For those who have previously completed a FAFSA, the 24-25 application is going to look a bit different!

Visit blogs.stockton.edu/stocktonfinaid and view our recorded presentations below for a list of updates being made to the 24-25 FAFSA and to learn more about how the changes will affect you!

Due to the updates being made, the 24-25 FAFSA will not be available by October 1, 2023. Students and families can expect that the 24-25 FAFSA will be available on or before December 31, 2023.


Prepare to Apply!
View our recorded presentations below!

 

Understanding the
New FAFSA

Understanding the New FAFSA


The FAFSA is changing and it will impact YOU!
This presentation discusses all of the anticipated updates coming to the 2024-2025 FAFSA and how these changes will impact students and families.

Stay up to date, learn more and prepare for the updates at stockton.edu/fafsa.

Financing your
Stockton Education

Financing your Stockton Education


This presentation discusses the financial aid process from start to finish. Learn about aid opportunities, including tuition & fee free programs, changes to the 24-25 FAFSA, how to apply & more!

Learn more about aid opportunities at stockton and how to apply for aid at stockton.edu/fafsa.

To prepare for the updates to the 2024-2025 FAFSA, be sure to stay informed!  Visit blogs.stockton.edu/stocktonfinaid for more information and follow the Office of Financial Aid on social media @stocktonfinaid on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). The Office of Financial Aid will also be sending several updates to students, faculty and staff, as well as updating this web page through the launch of the 24-25 FAFSA. Be sure to view the recorded presentations above and keep an eye out for updates!


Completing the FAFSA is the most important step for anyone applying for financial aid, but did you know there are other steps involved in the application process? Follow the below step-by-step process to ensure you complete all steps in the financial aid process. Let's get started!

*** Attention students and families! If you are looking to complete the 24-25 FAFSA to be considered for aid for the 24-25 academic year, please note that the FAFSA is changing and some of the steps below may change based on the new 24-25 application. Please review the information above for important updates! ***

*** Please note: New Jersey Dreamers are not eligible for federal aid and will not file the FAFSA. Anyone who identifies as an NJ Dreamer will complete the NJ Alternative Application at hesaa.org. The 24-25 NJ Alternative Application will be available after the launch of the 24-25 FAFSA. ***

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 Dreamers/DACA students should only follow the steps below to apply for Stockton scholarships and complete the New Jersey Alternative Application. Please note, all other undocumented students should only follow the steps to apply for Stockton scholarships. Learn more about applying for aid as an Undocumented student here.

Apply for Scholarships

Apply for Stockton Scholarships

...rewarding academic success!

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Apply for Stockton Scholarships

Stockton University offers incoming students the opportunity to apply for institutional scholarships based on academic and extracurricular achievement.

Accepted transfer students are considered for scholarships based on previous college performance.

Apply Today!

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 and electronically signing your FAFSA.

Students: You’ll need one in order to electronically sign your FAFSA form and to fill out a Renewal FAFSA form. Students also need one to apply for Direct Loans on StudentAid.gov.

Parents: A dependent student will need to have one of his or her legal parents sign the student’s FAFSA form, so the parent needs an FSA ID as well. Parents also need one to apply for a Direct PLUS Loan on studentaid.gov.

It’s important to understand that the student and the parent may not share an FSA ID. Your FSA ID is your signature, so it has to be unique to you.

How to Get Started:
  • Go to fsaid.ed.gov
  • Select "Create an FSA ID"

 

 Create an FSA ID

How Long Will It Take?
  • 30 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 1st
  • Stockton Federal School Code: 009345
How to Get Started:
  • Go to fafsa.gov
  • Login using your FSA ID

 

Complete the FAFSA

How Long Will It Take?
  • 10 Minutes
What is state aid?

Just as the federal government offers aid to qualifying students 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 njfams.hesaa.org.

How to Get Started:
  • Visit njfams.hesaa.org
  • 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

Click here to view your eligibility

How Long Will It Take?
  • 30 Minutes
What is the NJ Alternative Application?

New Jersey Dreamers students are not eligible for federal financial aid; however, these students could be eligible for state financial aid programs. To determine your eligibility, follow the steps below to apply. Learn more at njgrants.org.

How to Get Started:
  • Visit njgrants.org
  • Select the "NJ Dreamers" tab
  • Click "Apply Now"
  • Create an account to complete the New Jersey Alternative Application

Please Note: Qualifying New Jersey Dreamers students need to complete the application each year by the April 15 deadline to be considered for the grant.

Click here to Apply

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 students to complete and submit to our office. Eligible students 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?

Students 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 students 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:

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

 

Accept/Decline Your Offer

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 studentaid.gov
  • Login with your FSA ID

Complete Entrance Counseling

Instructional Video:

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 studentaid.gov
  • Login with your FSA ID

 

Complete a Master Promissory Note

Instructional Video:

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. Stockton University 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 students 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 Stockton University.

Viewing Requirements

  • Go to go.stockton.edu
  • Log in with your goStockton portal username & password (For new students, 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.

View your Requirements

Instructional Video:


requirements

 

 

*Look for this graphic in the GoStockton Portal


State Requirements:

Just like the Federal Government, the State Government can also select random students 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 njfams.hesaa.org

Step 2. Login to your NJFAMS account

Step 3. Click on your “To Do List”

Step 4. Complete and submit any Outstanding Requirements (View upload instructions under "Grants and Scholarships" here).

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 njfams.hesaa.org

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 “Create Login”

Note: You will be logged in to your account.

Step 4. Click on your “To Do List”

Step 5. Complete and submit any Outstanding Requirements (View upload instructions under "Grants and Scholarships" here).

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.

Instructional Video: How to View your Bill


As always, all students with questions regarding financial aid are welcome to contact our office.

Click Here to Contact Us!

Follow the Office of Financial Aid at Stockton University on Facebook & @stocktonfinaid on Twitter & Instagram for the most important financial aid information, updates, tips & tricks, scholarship opportunities and more!