At Creighton, we work to help you find the combination of financing opportunities and resources that will serve you best. We offer a variety of financial aid options that will help make a Creighton education accessible. No matter what financial aid you choose, you'll need to start by completing the FAFSA and applying to Creighton.
The FAFSA application and delivery system is different for the 2024-25 aid year. Learn more about FAFSA Simplification below.
The FAFSA application and delivery system is different for the 2024-25 aid year. The Creighton University priority filing date is 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.
Before you start filling out the FAFSA, you can do a couple of things to get ready.
Completing your FAFSA is the first step to establishing eligibility for all federal and state student aid programs as well as Creighton need-based aid. Check out the instructional videos from Federal Student Aid 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.
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).
Some financial aid applicants will be required to verify the accuracy of financial data based upon federal regulations. Creighton University follows the federal verification guidelines.
Once you are admitted and Creighton has received the results of your FAFSA, we will be in touch to let you know if supporting documents are needed to complete your aid application.
If you are selected for verification, you will be instructed to complete the Creighton Verification Worksheet. Other documents may be requested, such as tax return transcripts, W-2 forms and documentation of other forms of income. Be sure to periodically check your NEST account for requested items, as they may change. When verification is complete, you will be notified of your eligibility for financial aid through an email directing you to your NEST account.
Please provide any needed information as soon as possible.
For the 2023-2024 school year, both students and parents can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import their 2022 tax information. For verification purposes, you can submit a signed copy of your 2020 Federal Tax Return or submit a 2021 IRS Tax Return Transcript. You can request an IRS transcript.
Students and parents will no longer be able to view or update the income information that is imported from the IRS. As a result of this change, schools are now required by the Department of Education to authenticate students and/or parents who inquire about the income information on the FAFSA.
In order to comply with this federal regulation, Creighton University has implemented the following policy: All students and parents who utilized the IRS DRT and contact the Financial Aid Office requesting income information from their 2023-24 FAFSA, will be required to stop by the Financial Aid Office and will need to provide an unexpired valid government-issued photo identification before any income information will be released. No income information will be released over the phone or via email.
For the 2023-24 school year, parents and independent students who did not and are not required to file a 2021 tax return, will need to obtain Verification of Non-Filing from the IRS. This can be requested by completing IRS Form 4506-T (PDF). Dependent students who did not and are not required to file a 2020 tax return can complete a statement of non-filing (PDF).
Your Net ID is sent to you during the Admissions acceptance process. It is your unique identifier and never changes. It consists of 3 letters and 5 numbers (Example: BLU12345). It appears on your student ID card. New students, please follow these instructions to activate your Creighton account. Your account gives you access to the NEST.
The NEST is your private web-based portal for all your business here at Creighton. It’s where you retrieve information regarding your academic, financial aid and student account information 24/7.
Once you are a student at Creighton, your Creighton email becomes the official way that all offices on campus will contact you.
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 or graduate students will receive award notification by email.
Returning students will receive an email notice that their award is available in their NEST account.
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 pages.
Once you’ve reviewed, understand and are satisfied with your aid offer, accept your financial aid package. Be sure to do it at least one month before the start of your academic term so your aid funds will be available when the school year begins. Financial aid offers can be formally accepted in NEST, your personal web-based portal.
To accept your award offer visit NEST and then:
We also encourage you to view any other missing requirements and forward them to our office as soon as possible.
If your offer includes loans, it’s important to understand the repayment process. Learn more about managing loans and the federal student loan repayment process.
For undergraduate students wishing to attend summer school and receive financial aid, a FAFSA for the new academic year will need to be on file, and students will need to complete a Summer Aid Application.
Please keep the following in mind:
To be eligible for federal financial aid, a student must meet all these requirements:
Also:
Changing federal, state, third-party or school policies can make the information presented here obsolete, and Creighton University is not liable for misrepresentation under such circumstances.
Have questions related to tuition or financial aid? We can help! Get in touch, and we’ll be happy to work with you.
Undergraduate: finaid@creighton.edu
Graduate: gpfinaid@creighton.edu
Toll free: 800.282.5835
Local: 402.280.2731
Your financial aid offer may include several different types of aid. Explore the different types of aid to get a better understanding of what your offer might include.