Steps to Apply

Get ready to apply for financial aid

You’ll start the process by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The IU Fort Wayne school code is E40457.

Your application starts with the FAFSA

Be sure to submit a FAFSA each year to be considered for federal and state aid. We use your FAFSA to determine your eligibility, calculate your need, award your financial aid, and prepare your financial aid notification (FAN).

When to submit your FAFSA

The FAFSA becomes available October 1*, with a priority deadline of April 15 for the upcoming school year. Applying by the priority deadline will assist you in maximizing your financial aid eligibility. Students who do not meet this priority deadline should still complete the FAFSA as we can receive FAFSA results and process aid until the last date of your enrollment for the associated school year.

*The 2025-2026 FAFSA will be available in December. 

What you’ll need

Make sure you have the important pieces of information listed below. Having everything together before you start will make filling out the FAFSA easier.

To file your FAFSA, you (and one of your parents, if you are a dependent) need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. This is a username and password combination that you’ll use to securely access your financial aid information and electronically sign your FAFSA.

Learn more about your FSA ID

The federal school code for IU Fort Wayne is E40457.

You’ll need your tax information from two years before the academic year for which you’re seeking aid. For example, to apply for aid for the 2018–19 academic year, you’ll fill out the 2018–19 FAFSA and include your 2016 tax information.

Use the IRS data retrieval tool

When you update your FAFSA after filing your taxes, you may be able to use the IRS data retrieval tool to import your tax information directly into your FAFSA. You’ll find the IRS data retrieval tool in the financial information section of your FAFSA.

To use the tool to pull your tax information in automatically, you must:

  • Have filed a federal tax return with the IRS
  • Provide a valid social security number
  • Provide your FSA ID

Learn how to use the tool

Enter your data by hand

If you’re not able to use the IRS data retrieval tool, you can enter your data manually.

You’ll need your federal tax return and W2 form for the year before (if you file your FAFSA by December 31) or for two years before (if you file your FAFSA after January 1) AND

  • Your parents' federal tax return and W2 form if you're a dependent OR
  • Your spouse's federal tax return and W2 form if you're married
Use estimated data

You can file your FAFSA even if you haven’t completed your tax return yet (remember, you can apply for the next year as early as October 1). Select “Will File” on the FAFSA application and give your best guess at the numbers. After you file your taxes, you can update your FAFSA and change your status to “Already Filed.”

You’ll need your Social Security number. You’ll also need your parents’ Social Security numbers if you’re a dependent.

Not a U.S. citizen? You’ll need your alien registration number, also known as your alien number, A-Number, or USCIS#.

You’ll need information about your savings, investments, and business assets. You’ll also need information about your parents’ savings, investments, and business assets if you’re a dependent.

Once you’ve gathered everything you need, you’re ready to file your FAFSA. The online application will guide you through the process—just follow the directions on the screen. You’re all set!

Nondegree students

If you're taking courses with the goal of being admitted, find out what else you need to do.

A note about dependency

Your status is determined by a group of dependency questions on the FAFSA. If you can’t answer “yes” to any of the questions, you’ll be considered dependent and advised to supply parental information on your FAFSA.

You’re considered to be a dependent if you:

  • Are under 24 years old
  • Are not a graduate or professional student
  • Are not a veteran or member of the armed forces
  • Are not an orphan or ward of the court
  • Are not homeless or at risk for becoming homeless
  • Are not an emancipated minor

Learn more about dependency status

Which parent(s) to include

Not sure which parent's information to include on your FAFSA? Get the details about reporting parent information.

Ready to get started?