Applying for Financial Aid

Paying for college starts with one free form.

It all begins with the FAFSA, and you won’t do it alone. Our Financial Aid team walks with you through every step, from your first question to your award letter.

File the FAFSA ↗Show me where to start
  • Allen’s Federal School Code
    003417
    Add it to your FAFSA so Allen gets your information.
  • OpensOctober 1The new FAFSA opens each year.
  • Allen priority dateApril 15Aid goes in order of completion and need.
  • SC Tuition GrantAugust 1File the FAFSA by this date to be considered.
Where Are You?

Pick your step. We’ll show the rest.

You don’t have to read everything. Choose where you are, and we’ll show only the next three things to do.

A financial aid counselor reviewing paperwork with a student

I’m just getting started

  1. Apply to Allen

    You must be accepted before we can process your aid. You can apply and file the FAFSA in any order.

    Apply now ↗
  2. Make a StudentAid.gov account

    The student and each contributor (like a parent) need their own. It works as your electronic signature.

    Create an account ↗
  3. See your estimated cost

    Get a personalized estimate before any forms.

    Net Price Calculator →
Types of Aid

Know what’s free, earned, or borrowed.

Your award letter may include several kinds of aid. Use free money first, then earned, then borrowed.

A jar of savings with coins and dollar bills
  • Free money

    Grants

    Need-based aid you don’t repay: the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and the South Carolina Tuition Grant for eligible SC residents.

  • Free money

    Scholarships

    Awards for academics, athletics, music, and the performing arts, plus South Carolina’s LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows scholarships and UNCF scholarships.

  • Earned

    Federal Work-Study

    Part-time campus jobs for students with financial need, paid monthly. Students must have a 2.0 GPA and be in good academic standing.

  • Must be repaid

    Federal loans

    Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans for students, and Parent PLUS Loans for parents of dependent students. Borrow only what you need.

If you borrow a federal loan

Complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note at StudentAid.gov. Since July 1, 2026, new Parent PLUS borrowing is limited to $20,000 per year and $65,000 total per dependent student. Federal loans are reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Track your loans ↗

Thinking about a private loan?

Talk with us first. You may qualify for federal grants, work-study, and loans, and federal loan terms may be more favorable than private ones.

See all grants & scholarships →
Before You File

Gather these, and the FAFSA goes fast.

0 of 6 ready

Two women talking through paperwork together on a couch

Words that trip families up

Contributor
Anyone asked to provide information on the FAFSA, such as a parent or spouse. Being a contributor does not make someone responsible for paying for college.
Consent
The student and every contributor must agree to share federal tax information, even if they didn’t file taxes. Without consent, federal aid eligibility can’t be calculated.
Student Aid Index (SAI)
A number from your FAFSA that schools use to determine aid. Cost of attendance minus SAI equals your financial need.
Award letter
Allen’s offer of aid for the year. It lists each grant, scholarship, work-study, and loan you’re eligible for.
Start With Your Question

The questions families ask us most.

There’s no such thing as a silly question about paying for college.

Do I really need to file the FAFSA?

Yes. The FAFSA is how Allen determines your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and loans, and it’s required for the SC Tuition Grant and Allen’s institutional scholarships. Filing is free at StudentAid.gov.

When should I file?

As soon as you can. The new FAFSA opens each year by October 1, and Allen’s priority date is April 15. Aid is awarded in order of completion date and financial need, so earlier is better.

Can I file before I’m accepted to Allen?

Yes, and we encourage it. You can complete the FAFSA and your admission application in any order. We can process your financial aid once you’ve received your acceptance packet.

Do I need this year’s taxes to file?

No. The FAFSA uses tax information from two years before the school year, so your taxes are usually already filed. With your consent, the FAFSA pulls that information directly from the IRS.

Will my parents have to pay for college if they fill out the FAFSA?

No. A parent who provides information on your FAFSA is called a contributor. Being a contributor does not make them financially responsible for your education.

My parent doesn’t have a Social Security number. Can I still apply?

Yes. A contributor without a Social Security number can still create a StudentAid.gov account and complete their part of the FAFSA. They still need to provide consent.

My family’s finances changed. What should I do?

Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid. If your family’s situation is different from what your FAFSA shows, tell us so we can talk through your options.

I was selected for verification. Did I do something wrong?

No. Verification is a routine review. We’ll tell you exactly which documents we need. Send them quickly so we can finalize your aid.

When will I find out what aid I’m getting?

After we receive your FAFSA and you’re accepted, we’ll process your award, email your award letter, and post your information in the Financial Aid Portal.

What’s the difference between a grant and a loan?

Grants and scholarships are free money you don’t repay. Work-study is money you earn at a campus job. Loans must be repaid, with interest.

How much will Allen actually cost my family?

Start with the Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate, then compare it with the cost of attendance. Your award letter will show your actual aid.

Do I have to do this again next year?

Yes. File a new FAFSA each year you’re enrolled, and keep meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress and any scholarship renewal requirements.

We’re Here to Help

Questions? Talk to a real person.

A financial aid counselor talking with a family

The Office of Student Financial Aid is in the Campus Mall, open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Consumer information & policiesAll consumer information →

Paper copies of this information are available on request from the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Your Allen education is within reach.

Apply to Allen, file your FAFSA with code 003417, and we’ll take it from there together.

File the FAFSA Apply to Allen