2024-2025 FAFSA FAQs for New & Incoming Students

When should I complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA?

You should start the application as soon as you can. If a large number of students are applying at the same time, Federal Student Aid may temporarily suspend your access for site maintenance. In that event, your application will be saved. You can return to the FAFSA site later to complete and submit the application. Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to complete the FAFSA even if you're interrupted.

Is there anything I can do to prepare in the meantime?

Yes! The student and at least one parent or the student’s spouse will need a Federal Student Aid ID. Create your FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid account creation page.

The key item needed for schools to receive your FAFSA is your Social Security Number (SSN). Give the Support Hub a call to confirm if we have it (617.349.8760). If you haven't provided Lesley with your SSN, you can do so by submitting the IRS Form W-9. The IRS Form W-9 is available for download on the IRS website. Once you've completed your W-9, submit it to us via our secure Financial Aid Dropbox.

Finally, get your documents ready! The Federal Student Aid site has a list of information you might need to have on hand to complete the FAFSA. Click this link to view their recommendations! For the 2024-2025 FAFSA, you’ll need tax documents from the 2022 tax year.

I haven’t heard about my admission application. Should I wait to hear from Admissions before I complete the FAFSA?

You can complete the FAFSA at any time, even if you haven't received an admission decision. After Admissions reviews your application, Financial Aid will start looking at your FAFSA. Federal Student Aid will start sending processed applications to schools in early March.

I’ve completed my 2024-2025 FAFSA, so when will I hear back from Lesley about my financial aid?

Federal Student Aid will process and send your FAFSA to schools in early March. After that, applications are sent on a regular, rolling basis. Typically, we receive a large volume of applications. However, we aim for you to have your financial aid letter about 3-5 weeks after we get it from Federal Student Aid.

While you wait, make sure Financial Aid has everything they need for your application. You can check your application status on Self-Service. Never logged into Self-Service? Visit this tutorial page for instructions on how to activate your account.