Need-Based Aid

Applying for Need-Based Aid

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To apply for need-based aid from Muhlenberg and federal student aid, such as federal and Muhlenberg grants, work-study and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free to families and gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college. In addition, PHEAA and Muhlenberg College will use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for the PA State Grant and institutional need-based aid.

The FAFSA is an annual application that families will need to complete to be considered for need-based aid. The 2024-2025 FAFSA is now available. Due to continued delays in FAFSA processing this year, first-year students applying for fall 2024 admission should complete these steps in order to receive an estimated need-based financial aid offer with their admissions decision.

First-time applicants will need to create an FSA ID and password. For dependent students, a parent will also need to create a FSA ID and password if this was not already done for a prior application submission. This information allows the student and parent to sign the FAFSA electronically.

All students that receive a financial aid offer need to complete the Muhlenberg College Scholarship and Aid Application upon enrollment at the College.

To learn more about how grant and scholarship funds are disbursed, visit our page about disbursement procedures.

2024-2025 FAFSA Information

Changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 aid year.

The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to determine federal student aid starting with the 2024–25 aid year. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), need analysis, and many policies and procedures. For more information for first-year applicants, please visit this page.

FAFSA Fast Facts

What are the benefits?

The FAFSA Simplification Act creates a more streamlined application process that will enhance user experience and expand eligibility for federal student aid.

The FAFSA will be shorter and more user-friendly

The number of questions will be reduced from 108 to 46.

The FAFSA will be available in more languages.

The 2024-2025 FAFSA application will be expanded to include the 11 most common languages spoken.

Applicants will be required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange.

The student and contributors (as applicable) must provide consent to allow the IRS to transfer tax information to the FAFSA using the Direct Data Exchange (DDX).

All “contributors” must provide financial information.

A contributor—a new term being introduced on the 2024-25 FAFSA—refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student's form (such as a parent/stepparent or spouse). A student's or parent's answers on the FAFSA will determine which contributors (if any) will be required to provide information.

Contributors will receive an email informing them that they've been identified as such, and will need to log in using their own FSA ID to provide the required information on the student's FAFSA.

Being a contributor does not mean they are financially responsible for the student's education costs, but it does mean the contributor must provide information on the FAFSA or the application will be incomplete and the student will not be eligible for federal student aid. Any student or contributor that is creating a FSA ID for the first time should do so at least 3 days prior to completing the application.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

A notable term used to determine aid eligibility, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), is being replaced with Student Aid Index (SAI).

The number of household members in college will not be used to calculate SAI.

The application will still ask how many household members are in college, but your answer will not be used to calculate the SAI.

The parent responsible for submitting the FAFSA in cases of divorce or separation has changed.

For dependent students, the parent of record will be the parent that provides the most financial support.

When should I submit the 2024-25 FAFSA?

New applicants who plan to begin classes in the fall of 2024 should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available and submit their confirmation email and Student Aid Index (SAI) information through their Application Status Portal. For more information, view here.

Returning Muhlenberg students should complete the FAFSA by the March 15 priority deadline.

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Federal Pell Grant

Learn about the qualifications for a federal Pell grant and how to apply.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

Learn more about the financial opportunities available with the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant.

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Muhlenberg College Grant

Learn about Muhlenberg's grant for students who display financial need while meeting academic goals.

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State Grants

Find out about Pennsylvania State Grant opportunities and who to contact for out-of-state grant opportunities.