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Financial Aid
Financial Aid Qualifications
- Apply for and be accepted into a program that qualifies for financial aid.
- File the 2024-2025 FAFSA for Summer 2025.
- File the 2025-2026 FAFSA for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026.
- Enroll in classes that are required for your program.
- Enroll in at least six credits to qualify for federal direct loans and state grants.
- Be a US Citizen, a National or permanent resident of the United States.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by Nicolet College's Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Students apply for federal aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. By completing the FAFSA, you are applying for all types of aid which include federal and state grants, student loans, and Federal Work Study.
Students need to apply each academic year.
The FAFSA for the upcoming year is generally available in October each year, but no later than December 31.
Nicolet College’s Federal School Code is 008919.
1
Create a Federal Student Aid ID
Each contributor to your FAFSA needs their own Federal Student Aid ID (FSA-ID). This includes your spouse, if you filed separate tax returns or got married since filing the taxes used for the FAFSA, or your parent(s) if you are a dependent student.
You will need to create your FSA-ID one week before completing your FAFSA. Use a personal email address to create your FSA-ID. Because your FSA-ID will be permanent, you need to use an email address that you can always access. You cannot share email addresses or phone numbers with another contributor.
Click here to create your FSA-ID. https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
After you set up your FSA-ID and have established your personal username and password, keep it in a secure place. We recommend recording the phone number and email address you used to create your account as well as your security questions and answers.
2
Get Organized
To complete the FAFSA you will need information from your federal tax return (form 1040 and schedules 1, 2, and 3 if completed). For the 2024-2025 FAFSA, 2022 income will be used. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, 2023 income will be used.
You will also need the amount of child support paid or received, the net worth of any businesses or farms you own, the dollar amount of any pension or IRA rollovers, and bank account balances. If you are a dependent student, your parent(s) will need to complete a portion of the FAFSA. Have their full name, birthdate, and Social Security number ready so that you can invite them to complete their portion.
3
Complete the FAFSA
When you have received the email from studentaid.gov verifying your FSA-ID, and you have gathered all of your documents, log in to the FAFSA® Application Federal Student Aid using your FSA ID username and password. Click Start a New FAFSA and make sure you are completing the correct academic year.
NOTE: Complete every question and enter zero instead of leaving a box blank. The ‘Help and Hints’ box displays may help you to complete a question. Nicolet’s School Code is 008919.
4
Submit Your FAFSA
At the end of your FAFSA application you will agree to terms, sign, and submit the FAFSA. You should then see a page confirming that your application has been received, and you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
5
Renew/Review FSS
You will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) via e-mail once you have successfully completed your FAFSA. Review this report carefully and verify that the information is correct.
Special and Unusual Circumstances
Federal financial aid is based on the information you provide on the FAFSA. But we understand that life doesn’t always fit into a form. If your current situation isn't accurately reflected on your FAFSA, you may qualify for a review based on special or unusual circumstances.
Special Circumstances
These involve changes to your or your family's financial situation, such as:
- Loss of income or employment
- Divorce or separation
- Unusually high medical expenses
- Death of a parent or spouse
Common documentation may include:
- A written explanation of your situation
- Recent tax documents (e.g., 1040s, W-2s)
- Proof of income loss (termination letter, unemployment benefits)
- Medical bills or related documentation
Unusual Circumstances
These refer to situations that affect your dependency status, such as:
- Parental abandonment or estrangement
- Abuse, neglect, or unsafe living environment
Common documentation may include:
- A personal statement describing your situation
- Court documents or legal records
- Letters from a social worker, counselor, teacher, or clergy
- Other third-party supporting statements
Next Steps:
If you think you may qualify under one of these categories, please contact our Financial Aid Office by completing one of the forms below. We’re here to help you through the process and ensure your aid eligibility is evaluated fairly.