Financial Aid
Eligibility begins by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is done online through a secure, government Web site. Be aware that there are websites who will attempt to charge you money to complete the FAFSA. If so, you are not on the official FAFSA website. You may opt to pay someone to complete the FAFSA for you, however it is not required.
Completing the FAFSA collects your financial data and submits it to the Federal Processor, where it is thoroughly analyzed and sent to the schools you have selected. Once IPFW receives your FAFSA data, we compile the information into your financial aid awards, based on your eligibility.
The most common question we hear is what constitutes financial aid. One common misconception is that federal grants are the only kind of financial aid. In reality, there are several different kinds of financial aid.
- Gift Aid: Does not need to be repaid and includes grants and scholarships. Most federal and state grants such as the Pell Grant and the Indiana Higher Education Award are awarded based on financial need.
- Self Help Aid: Aid that requires some kind of obligation, such as repayment. Stafford Loans are a good example; in exchange for education funds, students repay the money over a set term, at a set rate. Federal Work Study is another form of Self Help. You earn money for your education with every hour you work. Visit the IPFW Work Study page for more information
We list all of the financial aid programs available, along with some defining information, in a pdf file you can download here.
As you move through the “Ways to Pay” section of our Web site, you will find other options that you will need to pursue on your own.
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