Financial Aid Application
At Stony Brook University, we try to keep the financial aid application process as simple as possible. However, there still is a process that can generate many questions on the part of prospective students and their families. The steps below will take you through the "typical" application process.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is required to apply for federal financial aid such as federal grants and loans. Stony Brook's school code is 002838. You can complete the FAFSA on the web at studentaid.gov. Students who would like to be considered for need-based aid such as Federal Work-Study and Federal SEOG must complete their FAFSA by the priority filing deadline of February 15, 2025 for the 2025-26 FAFSA to be considered for these limited funds.
In order to determine if a student can receive federal financial aid a student must have a valid FAFSA submitted to the university prior to the end date of the term of enrollment. You can review the Academic Calenders for more information on term specific dates.
| FAFSA / Academic Year | Tax Year | Submit FAFSA as early as |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 (Summer 25, Fall 25, Spring 26) | 2023 | 12/1/2024 |
| 2024-25 (Summer 24, Fall 24, Spring 25) | 2022 | 1/1/2024 |
FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)
After the FAFSA has been processed, the federal processor will send a FAFSA Submission Summary to you. The FSS indicates whether you have been selected for a process called verification and whether you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. If you do not have a copy of your FSS, you can request a duplicate copy from the Federal Student Aid Information Center by calling 1-800-433-3243.
Where can I get help to complete the application?
There are helpful tools and tips throughout the application which should assist you with the questions you may have. You can also visit the Filling Out the FAFSA Form on the Federal Student Aid website and our Financial Aid Video Library.
What happens after I file my application?
Our office will begin loading FAFSA forms for the year in question as the Department of Education processes the FAFSA. At that time, we will send you an e-mail confirmation. Check out our Financial Aid Timeline for details regarding what to expect after we access your application.
New York State Residents
Students who are residents of New York State may also be eligible to apply and receive state based financial aid. Those students who may be eligible can reveiw the New York State Aid Application process.
NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?
Be sure to visit the rest of our website for more information that may meet your specific questions and needs. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us for more information about the financial aid process, status of your awards or to submit documents.