Applying for Financial Aid and Your Award
File Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is an application for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. In addition, the State of Iowa and Hawkeye will use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid including grants and scholarships. Some private aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid. What is the FAFSA® form and why should I fill it out?
You will need to file a FAFSA each academic year.
It's quickest, and strongly recommended, to submit your FAFSA online at StudentAid.gov. To file your FAFSA online you will need a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.
If you are applying for Fall 2023 Spring 2024, and/or Summer 2024 choose FAFSA year 2023–2024.
Application dates: October 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024.
If you are applying for Fall 2024 Spring 2025, and/or Summer 2025 choose FAFSA year 2024–2025.
Application dates: December 31, 2023 – June 30, 2025.
It is highly recommended that you fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can to ensure you do not miss out on available aid.
Hawkeye's FAFSA code is 004595.
File your FAFSA by July 1 to be eligible for State of Iowa funds. If you miss the July 1 deadline it's not too late to file, you may be eligible for limited funding.
Helpful resources for completing your FAFSA:
If you are applying for financial aid for summer coursework, also see the instructions on the Summer Financial Aid page.
Federal Student Aid Videos
Apply for Scholarships and Outside Funding
Scholarships = FREE Money!
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Apply for Hawkeye and External Scholarships through a personalized online portal. Answer just a few questions and be matched to scholarships for which you are eligible. Be sure to also file your FAFSA to determine if you to qualify for more scholarships.
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Report all scholarships you are awarded to the Financial Aid office so the scholarships can be included in your financial aid offer letter.
Outside Funding
If you will be receiving funding from outside sources—including scholarships and sponsorships—or the amount of funding you will receive has changed, you need to notify the Financial Aid office as soon as possible. These additional funds need to be included in your total financial aid offer as required by federal law.
Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) / FAFSA Submission Summary
The Department of Education will provide you with a summary of your FAFSA information called a Student Aid Report (SAR) / FAFSA Submission Summary. This report summarizes the financial information you entered on the FAFSA and is used to determine how much federal and state aid to offer you. Your Student Aid Report / FAFSA Submission Summary will be emailed to you by the Department of Education if you provided an email address. If no email is available, your Student Aid Report / FAFSA Submission Summary will be mailed to you within three weeks. You can also view your Student Aid Report / FAFSA Submission Summary online: Visit StudentAid.gov and login using your FSA ID.
Review your Student Aid Report / FAFSA Submission Summary carefully and if needed, make corrections and re-submit. If no corrections are needed, keep the report for your records.
Submit All Required Forms and Documentation
Once your FAFSA is processed we will begin to prepare your financial aid offer. Our office typically receives your FAFSA results within two weeks.
In order to determine eligibility, the Financial Aid office may be required to request forms and documentation from you — such as federal tax transcripts — in order to determine eligibility. If we need additional information we will send an email to your Hawkeye email.
What if I am selected for verification?
Upload requested forms/documentation through the “Manage” option on your Self-Service Checklist so we can continue preparing your financial aid offer.
We recommend checking your Hawkeye email daily. Some items are time sensitive.
You can also view and upload requested information in your Financial Aid Self-Service. Login to My Hawkeye > Self-Service > Financial Aid > Complete Required Documents.
Your financial aid offer cannot be processed until all verification requirements are complete.
Review your Financial Aid Offer
When your financial aid offer is ready, you will receive a financial aid offer notification to your Hawkeye email.
Your financial aid offer will notify you of your eligibility for funds available from the state and federal government and Hawkeye based on your FAFSA, as well as funds you have received from other sources — such as scholarships, military and veterans benefits, and sponsorships. However, your financial aid offer is not a commitment of funds or a binding contract and is subject to change.
To view your financial aid offer, login to My Hawkeye > Self Service > Financial Aid > Select the appropriate Award Year > Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package.
Why can't I see my offer in My Hawkeye?
If you do not have a financial aid offer, you may have to complete required documents before we can process your offer. Check My Hawkeye > Self Service > Financial Aid > Complete Required Documents.
If you have completed all required documents, continue to check your Hawkeye email for your offer notification. Allow one to two weeks for required documents to be reviewed and your offer to be processed.
Can my financial aid offer change?
Yes. Your initial offer, done prior to June 30, is based on full-time, full-year enrollment. If your enrollment level will not be full-time or full-year, your award will be adjusted even after accepting the awarded funds.
If at any time, before or during the semester, your enrollment status changes — you add or drop a class or withdraw from all your classes — contact the Financial Aid office immediately.
Your financial aid offer may also change as a result of a special circumstance. Federal financial aid regulations assume that the family has primary responsibility for meeting the educational costs of students. However, there are certain circumstances, under professional judgment, the College may consider when awarding financial aid. See Special Circumstances Appeals to learn more.
You will receive an email to your Hawkeye email anytime your award is adjusted.
View reasons why your financial aid may be adjusted.
Complete Additional Loan Requirements
If you have been awarded Federal Direct Loans you will need to accept or reject the loan(s) and complete the disbursement requirements before your loan funds can be disbursed to your student account.
If you took out a private student loan, you will need to complete the "Good Choices" packet before your loan can be certified for disbursement.