Getting Started (FAFSA)

Before beginning the FAFSA, students should make sure they meet the federal eligibility requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at a school that participates in the federal student aid program.
• Returning students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires students to be meeting both quantitative and qualitative measures as outlined by the University
• Not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, loans, or work-study).
• You must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
• You must demonstrate financial need (except for unsubsidized federal loans).

• Sign up for an FSA ID.
• Both students and parents/guardians will need to create separate FSA IDs
• Your FSA ID username will never expire, but your FSA ID password will expire every 18 months
• It can take a couple of days for an FSA ID to become active, so plan ahead.

The FAFSA should take less than 30 minutes to complete if you are able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which allows you to import your tax information from the IRS directly into the FAFSA application.

• The FAFSA for 2021-2022 became available on October 1, 2021. The 2020-2021 FAFSA is also still available.
• Be sure you're on the right website. Note the .gov domain, and avoid any other sites. You should never have to pay to submit your FAFSA!
• We recommend using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to electronically import your tax data into your FAFSA. Certain filers will not be able to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. These filers should manually enter their tax information. You will be unable to use the Data Retrieval Tool if:
  • Your marital status changed after end of the year
  • Your tax filing status is 'Married, Filing Separately'
  • You filed an Amended Tax Return
  • You filed a Foreign Tax Return
  • You filed a tax return using a Tax ID Number (TIN) as opposed to a Social Security Number.
  • The home address on the FAFSA does not match the address on the tax return.
• Parents and independent students who indicate on the FAFSA that they will not/did not file a 2020 tax return will be required to provide documentation from the IRS to support their non-filer status. You may be able to request the Verification of Non-filing Letter at www.irs.gov. If you are not able to use this tool, you must request the letter using the 4506-T form.
• Include the Westfield State University Title IV Financial Aid Code of 002189.
• Students and Parents sign the FAFSA electronically using your FSA IDs, and submit.

After submitting the FAFSA, students will receive a confirmation email and then a Student Aid Report. Review the SAR for any information discrepancies or any requests made by the Department of Education.

Your FAFSA information will be sent to Westfield State University. The college will contact you with any requests for information.

Financial aid notifications for new students begin going out in January and are sent by mail. Returning students can view aid through myWestfield, with aid generally determined in mid-to-late June before bills are sent.

Some FAFSA applications are selected for verification, either by the Department of Education or by Westfield State University. If this happens, the Financial Aid Office will contact the student and request additional documentation. Students are not required to submit verification documentation unless they are specifically asked to do so, but once requested, those materials should be submitted as quickly as possible. Failure to provide required verification documents can make the student ineligible for federal funding, including federal student loans.

If you didn't use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to provide income data, a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS will be required. Be sure to request a Tax Return Transcript as opposed to a Tax Account Transcript. For information on how to request an IRS tax transcript, go to Requesting a Tax Transcript.

If your family's financial circumstances change after receiving a financial aid package, you may formally appeal a financial aid decision. Circumstances warranting an appeal may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• the loss of a job or other income
• a death in the family
• a family divorce or separation
• unusually high medical bills.

To learn more about the appeal process, please visit our Appeal Request page.

Yes. Students must complete the FAFSA each year to be considered for financial aid for the following academic year.

The FAFSA typically opens each year on October 1 for the following academic year.

Westfield State University’s Title IV federal financial aid code is 002189.

Undergraduate students should plan to file the FAFSA as early as possible. Westfield State University uses a priority filing deadline of May 1 and encourages students to file by April 15 to help ensure timely processing.

The Student Aid Index, or SAI, is a federal calculation based on FAFSA information that helps determine financial aid eligibility. Westfield State University compares the SAI with a student’s cost of attendance to determine demonstrated financial need.

After submitting the FAFSA, students receive a confirmation email and a Student Aid Report. Westfield State University receives the FAFSA information and may request additional documentation if needed. Financial aid notifications for new students begin going out in January.

If a FAFSA is selected for verification, Westfield State University will contact the student and request any required documentation. Students do not need to submit verification materials unless they are asked to do so, but requested documents should be submitted as quickly as possible to remain eligible for federal funding.

Yes. Students may appeal a financial aid decision if their family’s financial circumstances change after they receive their aid package. Examples may include job loss, death in the family, divorce or separation, or unusually high medical bills.

Students apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA and including Westfield State University’s federal school code, 002189.

Yes. Westfield State University uses FAFSA information to help determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid.

Students should be prepared with personal and financial information needed to complete the FAFSA, including the student’s FSA ID and, when applicable, parent or guardian financial information.

An FSA ID is the username and password used to sign the FAFSA electronically and access federal student aid systems. Students and parents or guardians each need their own separate FSA ID.

Yes. If parent information is required on the FAFSA, the parent or guardian must create and use a separate FSA ID.

Students may still be considered for eligible financial aid after the priority deadline, but filing early gives the best chance for timely processing and full consideration.

The Student Aid Report is the summary students receive after submitting the FAFSA. It should be reviewed carefully to make sure the information is accurate and complete.

Yes. Students can return to the FAFSA and make corrections if needed. Updated information may result in a revised Student Aid Report.

Students and families who cannot use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool may need to enter tax information manually and, in some cases, provide additional documentation later if requested.

Yes. If additional information is required to process financial aid, Westfield State University will contact the student with instructions.

Yes. Graduate students may also apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA, as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

If a family’s financial circumstances change significantly after filing the FAFSA, students may contact the Financial Aid Office to ask about the appeal process and whether additional review may be possible.