The FAFSA is the application that helps the Financial Aid Office determine your eligibility. You must complete a FAFSA each year and meet eligibility requirements to be considered for financial aid.
All qualified students should complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid at UMass Boston. The FAFSA is available beginning December 1 of any given year for the upcoming academic year. We encourage students to apply early.
FAFSA Priority Application Dates
- Returning Students: Priority financial aid is available to students who file a FAFSA by May 1 and complete all requirements by June 1.
- New Students: Priority financial aid is available to students who file a FAFSA by March 15 and complete all requirements by May 1.
Three Easy Steps:
- Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID on studentaid.gov.
- Apply for aid by completing your FAFSA. UMass Boston's school code is 002222.
• Watch this video for guidance on how to complete the FAFSA via Mobile app. - Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to transfer federal tax data to your FAFSA application.
FAFSA Help
- The One Stop is available to assist you with your FAFSA questions.
- Eligibility Requirements on studentaid.gov
- FAFSA Tips and FAQs
- Next Steps after completing the FAFSA
How the FAFSA Works
The FAFSA generates an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is used to determine the amount of financial aid you are eligible for from the federal government, state agencies, and UMass Boston.
Financial need is defined as the difference between the estimated Cost of Attendance and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the data supplied on the FAFSA and calculated by a federal formula. Cost of Attendance changes each year and is based on direct educational costs such as tuition, fees, and direct allowances for costs such as personal expenses, transportation, and books/supplies.