There are multiple steps in the financial aid application process. For the 2024-2025 year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. For the 2025-2026 year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available October 1 and must be submitted 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 https://studentaid.gov. To expedite this process, students (and parents, if dependent student) will need to have an FSA ID. Apply at Create Account | Federal Student Aid. 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 and Federal Pell Grant eligibility.  The FAFSA Submission Summary is broken into four tabs: Eligibility Overview, FAFSA Form Answers, School Information, and Next Steps.

Financial Need

Based on financial information provided on the FAFSA, a thorough analysis of the students' and/or parents' financial strength, including income, 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.