Student smiling

Applying for Financial Aid

Applying for Federal Student Aid 

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

APU’s School Code is 001117. Apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. The FSA ID acts as your electronic signature for the FAFSA and as your password to federal websites. Do not share it or lose it. After you have submitted your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review your SAR for any incorrect information. Make any necessary corrections online for faster processing.

  • The Cal Grant deadline for undergraduate students is March 2; be sure to submit the GPA Verification Form (not required if you received a Cal Grant last year).

There are significant changes coming to the process of submitting the FAFSA. Learn more about the FAFSA Simplification Act. 

Step 2: Verification (selected students only) + To-Do Items

The Department of Education randomly selects students who have completed the FAFSA for a process called verification. If you are selected for verification, it will populate in your home.apu.edu To-Do List and you’ll be required to submit additional documentation to the Student Services Center.

You must complete all To-Do List items to receive financial aid.

Step 3: APU sends a Financial Aid Offer Letter

When your financial aid offer has been prepared, you’ll receive a notification that your Financial Aid Offer Letter is available in your Message Center on home.apu.edu. Accept your loan offer (if you choose). Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted on your behalf.

Note: First-time student loan borrowers must also complete:

Step 4: Enroll at least half-time

Federal regulations require you to be enrolled at least half-time per term in order to receive financial aid. APU defines a term as all sessions within a traditional semester. For example, Fall Session, Fall Session 1, and Fall Session 2 together comprise the fall term.

Step 5: Ask questions