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Freshman Fall 2013

Ohio University | Path to Promise | Freshman | Fund your OHIO education

Apply for need-based financial aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as your application for all financial assistance at Ohio University. Need-based aid is only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

How to Apply

Completing the online is the fastest and most efficient way to file the FAFSA. Students and parents should each apply for the use of a federal PIN (Personal Identification Number) to sign the FAFSA electronically. Please note that it could take up to 72 hours to receive your PIN electronically.

If you prefer, a paper FAFSA can be obtained by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID (1.800.433.3243).

Our federal school code number for the Athens campus of Ohio University is 003100 and must be listed on your electronic or paper FAFSA for us to receive the results. If you will be attending a regional campus, please use the appropriate on your FAFSA.

When to Apply

In order to be considered for all types of financial aid, including grants, Federal Work-Study, and loans, Ohio University recommends that families file the FAFSA no later than February 15 to ensure that the results reach us by our March 15 first-priority deadline. If necessary, families can use estimated financial information on the FAFSA rather than data from a completed federal tax return in order to meet the first-priority deadline.

Incoming freshmen who are admitted by March 1 (deadline extended!) will automatically be considered for most Ohio University scholarships for their freshman year. Because financial need is considered in addition to scholastic achievement for some scholarships, we recommend the FAFSA be filed in time to meet the first priority deadline of March 15.

Calculating FAFSA Results

The federal government puts the data on your FAFSA through a formula called the Federal Methodology and sends the results—known as the —to Ohio University. The difference between the cost and your EFC is your financial need. Ohio University cannot guarantee your full financial need will be met. A Federal Direct PLUS Loan or a private loan can help bridge the gap.

It is possible that Ohio University may select your FAFSA for verification and request that you submit certain documents to check the accuracy of the data on your FAFSA. If you want to make changes to the data on your FAFSA yourself because you used estimated data or for any other reason, please send the information to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

FAFSA Results, Verification, and Satisfactory Academic Progress

Special Circumstances

Sometimes families have special circumstances that merit additional review and possible changes to a student's aid eligibility. Special circumstances may include a reduction in income due to loss of employment, retirement, disability or death of a wage earner; divorce or separation; and/or loss of social security benefits. If you feel the data on your FAFSA does not accurately reflect your family's financial situation due to a loss of income, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to request access to the online Change of Income application.

Special Circumstances Criteria and Procedures

Your Financial Aid Award Letter

The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at Ohio University will send you an award letter in early April to let you know what aid you have been awarded. Your award letter will instruct you to visit your online services/portal at and access the Accounts tab. Visit the OHIO Student Center to accept the financial aid listed on your award letter if actions are required and for more information regarding award eligibility requirements.

In addition to the aid listed on your award letter, there are two additional types of aid that families can apply to receive: the Federal Direct Plus Loan or an alternative loan from a private lender. If the aid listed on your award letter does not cover all or enough of your educational expenses, then you may want to apply for either the PLUS loan or a private loan.