How to Apply for Aid

It's easier than you think. While it's true that there are many forms to complete and deadlines to meet, we make the application process more manageable with our simple step-by-step guide to applying for financial aid. These steps will help you apply for Stevens scholarships as well federal and state grants and loans for both undergraduate and graduate programs. If you get stuck, you can always call us or drop by for more assistance.

Step 1: Gather Your Information

For completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA, begin by gathering the information you will need to provide on the application. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you should have on hand:

• Your social security number.

• The 2022 federal income tax forms for you and/or your custodial parent with all relevant schedules. 

• W-2 forms and other records of money you or your parents earned in 2022.

• Current bank and mortgage statements, if applicable.

• Records of savings, bonds, stocks, trusts and other investments, if applicable.

If you're a graduate student, you do not need to provide your parents' financial information. Your financial aid award will be based on your (and your spouse's, if applicable) financial circumstances alone.

If you're an international student, please see our resources for international undergraduates and international graduate students for more information.

Step 2: Start the Application Process

If you are an incoming freshman, begin the financial aid application process by completing your CSS PROFILE® on the College Board website. The CSS PROFILE® is required in order to be reviewed for institutional need based aid. Remember to designate Stevens Institute of Technology as the recipient of your CSS PROFILE® information by using our CSS school code: 2819.

The deadline to submit the CSS Profile for regular decision is February 1. For Early Action applicants, the CSS profile deadline is December 1, for Early Decision I applicants, the CSS Profile deadline is December 1 and for Early Decision II applicants, the deadline is January 5. View the timeline.

Only prospective incoming students need to complete this step. If you are a returning student or graduate student, move on to Step 3.

Step 3: Apply for Federal Financial Aid

In order to qualify for federal and state funding, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. For the 2024-2025 academic year you may complete the FAFSA by December 31, using prior-prior year (PPY) tax information. For FAFSA tips, click here. The 23-24 FAFSA is also currently available for the 2023-2024 academic year for our current students or incoming freshmen for Spring 2024.

Remember to designate Stevens Institute of Technology as the recipient of your application by using our federal school code number: 002639. We encourage you to complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year, as some forms of aid are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 24-25 FAFSA application will be available by December 31, 2023. For Early Action, Early Decision I, Early Decision II and all incoming students, the FAFSA deadline has been extended to February 15.  For returning students, the priority deadline is May 15. For fall term only awards for transfer students, the FAFSA deadline is February 15 and for the spring term is November 1. If you miss the priority deadline, you are still encouraged to complete the FAFSA application.

Before completing your FAFSA you and your parent must obtain an FSA ID. The FSA ID acts as your electronic signature. For more information, please click here.

International students should not complete the FAFSA, as you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify for federal funding. You may find it helpful, however, to look for funding sources in your home country via www.edupass.org.

Step 4: Update Your FAFSA

If you submitted your FAFSA before you (or your parents) filed the prior-prior year's taxes, you're required to update your FAFSA with the final numbers from your tax return. You should update your information as soon as possible after you file your taxes.

You can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to easily import your information from the IRS directly into your FAFSA. Check first to see if your tax return is available and if you are eligible to use the tool.

Step 5: Review Your Award Letter

After reviewing your completed financial aid application materials, the Office of Financial Aid will send information by mail regarding your financial aid award offer. This offer will include the amounts of federal, state or Stevens aid you have been awarded. Review the information and then contact the Office of Financial Aid if you wish to decline any part of the awards offered.

Remember that federal regulations prohibit "over-awards" (funds received in excess of your calculated financial need). It is your responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid of any outside awards you receive, including other scholarships, whether based on academic merit or financial need. The Office of Financial Aid may make changes to your financial aid award based on this information.

Step 6: Consider Additional Financing

Calculate any remaining balance not covered by financial aid by subtracting the funds in your award letter from your cost of attendance. Please do not include any Federal Work-Study awards when calculating your remaining balance, because you receive those funds only after you've worked to earn them over the course of the semester. (They are not applied to your Stevens bill.)

If your financial aid package does not cover the full cost of attending Stevens, you may want to consider private student loans or payment plans to finance the remaining balance. See more information about additional financing options for undergraduates and graduate students that can help you choose the best option for you and your family.

Step 7: Complete the Final Steps

You must complete the Master Promissory Note, Entrance Counseling, and Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement in order to receive any federal loans awarded to you. The entire process takes about 30-45 minutes and all documents can be completed online at the Federal Student Aid website.

If you are offered Federal Work-Study funding as a part of your award package, you should visit the Office of Student Employment to fill out additional forms. You'll need to search and apply for work-study positions. There are many on-campus and off-campus work-study job opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Be aware, too, that Federal Work-Study funds are not credited toward your tuition, but are paid as a regular paycheck that you can use towards your educational and personal expenses. Please see the Student Employment webpage for more information.

Stevens financial aid is possible in large part due to the generous support of our alumni and friends. During your time at Stevens, you may learn that some or all the financial aid awards you receive are made possible through a named scholarship, established by our donor(s), to support our students. If so, you will be expected to thank the donor(s) for their support. At that time, a member of the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement team will be in touch with further information regarding this process.