FAFSA Information

When you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, we use it to determine your eligibility for financial assistance.

 

To complete the FAFSA you will need the following information:

  • A Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (username/password) or an email address to create one
  • Social Security Number or Alien Number
  • Date of birth
  • Federal tax information
  • Bethel School Code:  001787

Getting Started

Step 1: Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID

Visit the Federal Student Aid website and create an FSA ID for the student and any contributors, such as parent(s) or spouse. The FSA ID will be used to access and sign the FAFSA. If you already have an FSA ID, there is no need to create a new one. Your existing FSA ID will continue to work.

Step 2: File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application

Use Bethel School Code:  001787 to make sure we receive it.

Step 3: Your Financial Aid Award

Once you are admitted to Bethel and we have received your FAFSA, we will provide you with a financial aid award.

Your award package will include important information and next steps in process.

We would love to connect with you to walk you through your financial aid award letter, answer questions, and discuss your unique needs and situation. Contact us to make an in-person or virtual appointment with our  financial aid office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How and when do I apply for financial aid?

  1. Visit StudentAid.gov.
  2. You can complete your FAFSA for the upcoming year as early as Oct. 1. The filing deadline to be considered for Indiana state grants is April 15. We recommend that you file as soon after Oct. 1 as possible, as some scholarship and grant funds can be exhausted.

What types of financial aid are offered at Bethel?

  1. Federal Aid – financial aid from the federal government is available to help you pay for education expenses. Grants (Pell, TEACH, SEOG), loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, PLUS) and work-study are types of federal student aid; you must complete the FAFSA to apply for this aid. More information regarding federal aid can be found on their site.
  2. State Aid – Indiana residents may be eligible for grants from the state of Indiana to be applied to their direct tuition costs. These grants are need-based and the FAFSA must be completed by April 15 to be considered for any applicable state grants. Read more information regarding Indiana state financial aid.
  3. Institutional Awards – Bethel University awards many types of institutional scholarships and grants to full-time undergraduate students. Awards may be based on merit or need and may be restricted to tuition costs only. Financial aid awards and policies are subject to change. Review an expanded list of institutional awards and financial aid policies.
  4. Students can apply for an alternative loan to cover remaining educational expenses, but most will need a credit-worthy cosigner. Learn more about your alternative loan options.

I filed the FAFSA before, but everything looks different. What changed?

The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and represented a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. This included the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the need analysis that determines federal aid eligibility, changes in terminology, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs. The FAFSA form questions were reduced, and format was simplified. This includes requiring all persons on the FAFSA to provide consent for the Department of Education to receive tax information or verification of non-filing status directly from the IRS. This change reduces the need for additional questions regarding financial information.

Terminology Changes

  • Contributor: anyone asked to provide information on the FAFSA – student, student spouse, parent(s) and stepparent(s).
  • Consent: Contributors must now consent to their Federal Tax Information (FTI) included in the FAFSA, even if they did not file a U.S. tax return.
  • Student Aid Index (SAI): SAI replaces Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • Federal Tax Information (FTI): FTI transferred directly from the IRS

What do I need to do to apply for a loan?

  1. For federal direct loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), students must complete entrance counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). This must be completed before loan funds are first disbursed for a student and will remain valid for 10 years following. Both requirements can be completed on this site, which includes step-by-step instructions.
  2. For federal PLUS loans, parents must complete the PLUS Request and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The PLUS MPN only needs to be completed once in most cases, but the PLUS Request must be completed annually. Both requirements can be completed on this site, which includes step-by-step instructions.
  3. Students can apply for an alternative loan to cover remaining educational expenses, but most will need a credit-worthy cosigner. Learn more about your alternative loan options.

When will my financial aid show on my bill?

All federal, state and institutional grants and scholarships will be posted to your student account at the start of each semester once all requirements have been met. Some grants or scholarships may have minimum enrollment or housing requirements; endowed scholarships often require a thank-you note from the recipient to be sent to the donor. Some federal programs require additional steps to be completed prior to funds being released, such as the direct loan and TEACH grant.

Can I see an estimated net price?

Yes. You can find an estimated net price by using our Net Price Calculator.

More Tuition & Financial Aid FAQs