Apply for Aid at Creighton University
Financial aid begins with the FAFSA.
At Creighton, we strive to help you determine the combination of financing options and resources that serve you best. We offer a variety of financial aid options that will help sustain your ability to attend our university. No matter what financial aid you choose, you'll need to start by completing the FAFSA.
The FAFSA application and delivery system is changing for 2024-25 aid year. Learn more about FAFSA Simplification.
FAFSA Simplification
The FAFSA application and delivery system is changing for 2024-25 aid year. As a result, the application will not be available until December 2023. To accommodate this later availability, we are extending our priority filing date to February 1, 2024.
The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024–25 aid year. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.
These changes are aimed at making it easier for students and their families to apply for financial aid with a more streamlined application process.
Key changes
- Availability – the FAFSA will be available in December 2023. The exact date to come.
- More streamlined application process with fewer questions, and an easier way to transfer the tax information directly from the IRS.
- Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- New terminology – you will notice new terminology being used in the application and aid eligibility process.
- Contributor: anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA – student, spouse, parent(s), and stepparent(s) for example.
- Consent: each contributor will now need to provide their consent to their Federal Tax Information (FTI) being included in the FAFSA, even if they did not file a U.S. tax return.
- SAI: Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- FTI: Federal Tax Information (FTI) that is transferred directly from the IRS.
- The number of questions on the FAFSA will be reduced.
- For students whose parents are divorced or separated, the Custodial Parent on your FAFSA will be the parent who provides you with the most financial support and will no longer be the parent with whom you lived with the most over the past 12 months.
- Each contributor (student, spouse, parent(s) and/or stepparent) will have to provide consent.
- If any contributor does not provide their consent the Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated, and we will not be able to determine your eligibility for financial aid.
- Foster, homeless, and unaccompanied youth—as well as applicants who cannot provide parental information—will be able to complete the form with a provisional independent student determination and receive a calculated SAI. Additional documentation may be requested by the Financial Aid Office.
- Students can list up to 20 schools on their FAFSA via the online application.
- A direct data share with the IRS will replace what is currently known as the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).
- Resources for completing the FAFSA form will be expanded to the 11 most common languages spoken in the United States.
- Small businesses and family farms are now considered assets
- The number of family members in college will still be asked on the FAFSA, but it will be excluded from the SAI calculation.
- Adjustments to the new SAI calculation will expand Pell Grant eligibility to more students.
Although you might not be able to complete the FAFSA just yet, you can do a few things now in the meantime to get ready so once it’s available in December you can get started promptly.
- Create your FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid site.
- Help your contributors, such as parent(s), spouses, etc., establish an FSA ID.
Step 1: File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
This is the first step to establishing eligibility for all federal and state student aid programs as well as Creighton need-based aid. Complete your FAFSA. Check out the instructional video for a step-by-step guide to filing your FAFSA.
The FAFSA can be filed starting in December for the next school year. For example, a student who will begin classes at Creighton in the fall of 2024 can file the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 school year beginning December of 2023. Creighton's school code number is 002542.
Processed FAFSAs should be on file with Creighton by February 1 for priority scholarship consideration but will continue to be accepted through April 1. FAFSA results received after April 1 will be considered as funding allows. If we ask for copies of your federal tax return transcript and W-2 earning statements, these should be sent to our office as soon as possible.
There are some excellent tools, resources and tips for properly completing the FAFSA and avoiding common mistakes at National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Step 2: Creighton University contacts you if verification is required.
Once you are admitted and Creighton has received the results of your FAFSA, we will be in touch by either letter or email to let you know if supporting documents are needed to complete your aid application. Normally, these documents are copies of federal tax returns, W-2s, Creighton’s Verification Worksheet or several other forms used to clarify or confirm your FAFSA data.
Step 3: Financial Aid Award notification is sent.
Once your FAFSA results have been reviewed by a member of the Financial Aid Office’s professional staff, an award notification is prepared for you.
New freshman, transfer, graduate or professional students will receive award notification by email.
Returning students will receive an email notice that their award is available on their NEST website.
Some forms of aid, such as the Federal Work Study and loan programs may require additional paperwork or web-based activity. Be sure to read everything we send or list for you to do to make sure your aid is ready when school starts. Any missing information or documents will always be listed on your NEST Financial Aid webpages.
Step 4: Accept your aid offer.
Once you’ve reviewed, understand and are satisfied with your aid offer, accept your financial aid package. Be sure to do it in a timely manner so your aid funds will be available when the school year begins.
Step 5: Manage your money.
Now that you have applied for financial aid, are you ready to manage your money?
Learn more about managing loans and the federal student loan repayment process.
