Application Procedures
There are multiple steps in the financial aid application process. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after Oct. 1st of each year to apply for aid for the upcoming year. Students are encouraged to apply by Buffalo State's priority filing deadline date.
The FAFSA can be found on-line at fafsa.gov. To expedite this process, students (and parents, if dependent student) will need to have an FSA ID. Apply at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. The FSA ID serves as the electronic passport to federal student aid online.
After submitting the FAFSA, students receive a FAFSA Submission Summary which provides your official Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation. This summarizes the information provided on the FAFSA. Review the summary carefully for errors (the form highlights items that may need attention) and follow directions for making corrections. Students are encouraged to submit corrections promptly to avoid long delays in processing the application. Retain a copy of the summary for record purposes.
Financial Need
Based on financial information provided on the FAFSA, a thorough analysis of the students' and/or parents' financial strength, including income, assets, and number of family members, will be conducted by the federal processor, and the applicants' Student Aid Index (SAI) is computed. The SAI is a number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility and to build your aid offer.
Financial need is determined by subtracting the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Cost of Attendance (an estimated budget that includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and a personal allowance) . Students can only be funded up to the amount of the Cost of Attendance.
Approximately 30% of Buffalo State students will be required to complete the review of a student’s financial aid eligibility. This may include the submission of the IRS Tax Return Transcript and other supporting documents. This verification process is required to ensure the accuracy of information provided on the FAFSA. If selected, students (and parents, if dependent) will be required to provide the office with the requested documentation before aid will be disbursed to the student’s account.
It is very important for students to respond to all requests for additional documentation in a timely fashion.