How to Apply for Aid
The Office of Financial Aid is here to support students and their families in navigating the financial aid process and identifying all available sources of funding. Whether you're applying for institutional aid, exploring loan options or seeking guidance, we're here to help every step of the way.
Stevens Institute of Technology strongly encourages all undergraduate and graduate students — whether incoming or currently enrolled — to apply for financial aid. While graduate students are not eligible for federal or state grant aid, by completing the FAFSA they are eligible for federal direct loans. Merit scholarships for graduate programs are determined by the Office of Graduate Admissions.
It's easier than you think. While there are many forms to complete and deadlines to meet, our step-by-step guide simplifies the process of applying for financial aid. The steps below will guide you through applying for Stevens merit scholarships, institutional need-based aid, as well as federal and state resources, for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
If you're unable to complete your FAFSA online, please visit the Office of Financial Aid for assistance. In some cases, you may need to submit a paper version of the form, and our team can help guide you through that process.
Step 1: Gather Your Information
If you’re a prospective, incoming or spring transfer student, please review the section below.
The 2026-2027 FAFSA will be available by October 1. For completing the 2026-2027 FAFSA, begin by gathering the information you will need to provide on the application. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you should have on hand:
Your social security number.
The 2024 federal income tax forms for you and/or your custodial parent with all relevant schedules.
W-2 forms and other records of money you or your parents earned in 2024.
Current bank and mortgage statements, if applicable.
Records of savings, bonds, stocks, trusts and other investments, if applicable.
If you’re a returning undergraduate student, please review the section below.
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is still available. For completing the 2025-2026 (Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026) FAFSA, begin by gathering the information you will need to provide on the application. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you should have on hand:
Your social security number.
The 2023 federal income tax forms for you and/or your custodial parent with all relevant schedules.
W-2 forms and other records of money you or your parents earned in 2023.
Current bank and mortgage statements, if applicable.
Records of savings, bonds, stocks, trusts and other investments, if applicable.
If you're a graduate student submitting the FAFSA for federal direct loans, you are not required to provide your parents' financial information. Your financial aid offer will be based on your (and your spouse's, if applicable) financial circumstances alone.
If you're an international student, please see our resources for international undergraduates and international graduate students for more information.
Step 2: Start the Application Process
If you are a returning student (not Clark or ACES) or a graduate student, you may skip this step and proceed to Step 3.
If you are an incoming first-year student or a returning Clark or ACES scholar, begin the financial aid application process by completing your CSS PROFILE® on the College Board website. The CSS PROFILE® is required in order to be reviewed for institutional need-based aid. Remember to designate Stevens Institute of Technology as the recipient of your CSS PROFILE® information by using our CSS school code: 2819.
The deadline to submit the CSS Profile for all decision plans can be found on the Admissions Timeline.
Step 3: Apply for Federal Financial Aid
In order to be considered for aid from federal and state resources, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. For FAFSA tips, click here.
Remember to designate Stevens Institute of Technology as the recipient of your application by using our federal school code number: 002639. We encourage you to complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year, as some forms of aid are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students and families will be able to access and submit the FAFSA for the 2026–2027 academic year on October 1. Incoming and transfer students, please review the FAFSA and CSS Profile deadlines for each application plan by viewing our admissions timeline.
For returning students, the 2025-2026 priority FAFSA filing deadline is April 15. If you miss the priority deadline, you are still encouraged to complete the FAFSA application as soon as possible.
Before completing your FAFSA, undergraduate students and their parent must obtain a FSA ID, which acts as your electronic signature. For graduate students, the student must create a FSA ID. For more information on the FSA ID, please click here. Feel free to review the Federal Student Aid page for more guidance on how to apply if necessary.
International students should not complete the FAFSA, as you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify for federal and state funding. You may find it helpful, however, to look for funding sources in your home country via www.edupass.org.
Step 4: Review Your Financial Aid Offer Letter
Returning undergraduate students and all graduate students will receive an email prompting them to view their financial aid offer through the Financial Aid Portal. Incoming first year and transfer undergraduate students will be notified of their financial aid offer at the time of acceptance through the admissions portal. This offer will include, if eligible, merit scholarship, and aid from federal, state and institutional need-based sources. Once you receive access to the Financial Aid Portal, you will be able to accept or decline any part of the aid offered. Remember that federal regulations prohibit "over-awards" (funds received in excess of your calculated financial need). It is your responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid of any outside awards you receive, including other scholarships, whether based on academic merit or financial need. The Office of Financial Aid may make changes to your financial aid award based on this information.
Step 5: Consider Additional Financing
Calculate any remaining balance not covered by financial aid by subtracting the funds in your award letter from your cost of attendance.
Please do not include any Federal Work-Study (FWS) in this calculation. FWS funds for employed students are earned and paid out through bi-weekly wages to a student during the semester, and are not applied directly to your Stevens bill. FWS earnings can be used to help with educational and personal expenses throughout the academic year.
If your financial aid offer does not cover the full cost of attending Stevens, you may want to consider a federal PLUS Loan, a private education loan, an external scholarship and/or a payment plan to finance the remaining balance. See more information about additional financing options for undergraduates and graduate students that can help you choose the best option for you and your family.
Step 6: Complete the Final Steps
For first-time student loan borrowers, you must complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling in order to receive any federal student loans offered to you. The entire process takes about 20-30 minutes, and all documents are completed online at the Federal Student Aid website.
If you are offered FWS funding as a part of your financial aid offer, you must visit with the Office of Student Employment to fill out additional payroll forms. You'll need to search and apply for FWS and non-FWS positions. There are many on-campus and off-campus job opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Please see the Student Employment webpage for more information.
Stevens financial aid is possible in large part due to the generous support of our alumni and friends. During your time at Stevens, you may learn that some or all the financial aid awards you receive are made possible through a named scholarship, established by our donor(s), to support our students. If so, you will be expected to thank the donor(s) for their support. At that time, a member of the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement team will be in touch with further information regarding this process.