Federal Aid at USU
Utah State University has three residential campuses, 30 locations across the state, and nationally ranked online degree programs. USU is affordable, accessible and waiting for your application.
Federal Aid
Federal aid helps eligible students pay for college through grants, work-study, and federal student loans. Eligibility is determined using the information provided on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and federal regulations.
Submitting the FAFSA does not guarantee that you will receive financial aid, and aid amounts may vary based on your financial information, enrollment level, eligibility requirements, and available funding.
Review the information and steps on this page to help you navigate the federal aid process at Utah State University.
Grants
A grant is a form of financial aid that typically does not have to be repaid. However, in some situations—such as withdrawing from school or not meeting specific program requirements—you may be required to repay a portion or all of the grant.
Discover MoreWork-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program allows eligible students to earn money through part-time employment to help pay for school. Students must secure an approved position to earn funds. Wages vary based on the type of work but meet at least minimum wage requirements.
Explore MoreFederal Loans
A loan is money you borrow that must be repaid with interest. Federal student loans are a legal obligation. If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as part of your aid offer. Borrow only what you need and understand your repayment options.
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Applying For Federal Aid
To be considered for federal financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen admitted into a degree-seeking program at USU. Additional federal eligibility requirements apply.
You can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get an early estimate of the types and amounts of aid you may qualify for before submitting your FAFSA.
- Federal aid eligibility is determined under federal law and regulations.
- Aid offers may change based on enrollment, eligibility, verification, or federal funding.
- Federal student loans must be repaid.
- Submitting the FAFSA does not guarantee financial aid.
- Students are responsible for reviewing all communications from USU and the U.S. Department of Education.
- Federal aid eligibility and funding are subject to federal regulations and annual appropriations.
Submission Deadline
The FAFSA must be completed each year you wish to receive federal aid. As of October 1, 2025, the 2026–27 FAFSA (covering Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027) is available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Apply Early
We encourage students to submit the FAFSA as early as possible.
Processing Times
If you are selected for verification, required to submit additional documentation, or experience a marital status change after filing your FAFSA, processing may take longer depending on federal requirements and the completeness of your information you provide.
Recommended Timeline
To help avoid delays, submit your FAFSA 2–3 months before your intended enrollment term. Late FAFSA submission may delay aid processing or limit available funding.
Transfer Student
If you previously attended another college or university and borrowed Federal Direct Loans, your remaining federal loan eligibility for the academic year may be limited. Annual and aggregate federal loan limits apply across all schools attended.
Federal Pell Grants are also subject to a lifetime eligibility limit (Lifetime Eligibility Used, or LEU). We encourage transfer students to review their federal borrowing history and remaining eligibility carefully before accepting additional loans.
Getting Married Soon?
Your marital status on the FAFSA can be updated after the FAFSA is submitted under certain conditions. Please review our instructions for reporting marital status correctly on the FAFSA. In some situations, additional review or documentation may be required to determine whether updates can be considered.
If you have questions about your situation, please contact our office for assistance.
Submit Your FAFSA
Visit Federal Student Aid to submit your FAFSA. The USU school code for the FAFSA is 003677.
If you applied in a previous year, some information may carry forward; however, you should review all sections carefully and update any information as needed to ensure accuracy.
The FAFSA is processed by the U.S. Department of Education, and accurate information is required to determine your eligibility.
Paper applications are also available through Student Financial Support. Applying by mail may take longer to process and may be more prone to errors.
- You should never pay a company to complete the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA is completed free of charge through the U.S. Department of Education. USU also provides free assistance to students and families.
Official FAFSA website: StudentAid.gov
Upcoming Federal Aid Changes
Federal student aid regulations are changing under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA - former One Big Beautiful Bill Act - OBBBA). Additional federal guidance is still being released.
Financial Aid Next Steps
Follow these steps to receive your aid:
Review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)
After submitting your FAFSA, review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) carefully for accuracy and any required next steps. Your FSS is not a financial aid offer.
Students who provide a valid email address on the FAFSA will receive instructions from the U.S. Department of Education to access their FSS electronically. Otherwise, a paper notification may be mailed.
Your FAFSA Submission Summary does not represent a financial aid offer but is an important step in determining your eligibility.
Check Your Email & Text Messages
We will contact you if:
- Additional information is required
- You are selected for verification
- Your Federal Aid Offer becomes available
Incoming Aggies should monitor the email used on the FAFSA and any emails provided to USU. Continuing Aggies should regularly check their USU email.
Students selected for verification or identity confirmation may be required to submit additional documentation before federal aid eligibility can be determined.
Emails come from financialaid@usu.edu or verifyfafsa@usu.edu.
SMS text messages come from (855) 711-0017.
Some students are selected for verification or identity confirmation by the U.S. Department of Education or USU.
If selected:
- Additional documentation may be required
- Aid processing may be delayed until requirements are completed
- Requested documents must be submitted promptly
Failure to complete required verification may result in cancellation of federal aid eligibility.
Accept Your Aid
Once your Federal Aid Offer is available, review it carefully. Federal aid offers are based on your eligibility at the time of review and may change if your enrollment or information is updated.
You are not required to accept all offered aid. We encourage students to borrow only what they need and carefully consider long-term financial responsibilities.
Visit the following pages to learn how to accept each type of aid:
Please note:
- If you were not offered Work-Study, you may request consideration for any remaining funds.
- Federal student loans are a legal obligation and must be repaid according to the terms of the loan.
- Some types of aid may require additional steps before funds can be disbursed.
- If your family's financial circumstances have changed due to extenuating circumstances or unusual expenses, please contact your Federal Aid Counselor to discuss possible appeal options.
Update Your USU Preferences
To help ensure timely communication and processing of your financial aid, please review and update the following in your USU account:
- Set up your Security Phrase - Required when contacting our office to verify your identity and access account information.
- Update your mailing address – A current and valid U.S. mailing address is required to ensure you receive important notifications.
- Assign Delegates - Due to federal privacy regulations, students must authorize a delegate (such as a parent, spouse, or other individual) if they want that person to speak with our office or access financial aid information.
- Set up Direct Deposit - Allows excess financial aid funds (refunds) to be deposited into your bank account more quickly and securely.
Requirements To Maintain Your Aid
Receiving federal aid (grants, work-study, or federal loans) comes with certain rights and responsibilities. To remain eligible, students must:
- Enroll in eligible coursework by required deadlines
- Maintain federal eligibility requirements
Enrollment changes such as adding or dropping classes, withdrawing, or not attending may affect your financial aid eligibility or result in adjustments to your aid.
If you have questions about your eligibility or enrollment changes, please contact your Federal Aid Counselor. We are here to help!
Apply For Scholarships
Visit the Student Financial Support scholarship page to apply for scholarships.
We Are Here to Help
Our Student Financial Support team is here to help you navigate the federal aid process.