The FAFSA

For students planning to begin college in the spring or summer of 2026, you will complete the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year. Students planning to attend for Fall 2026, please use the FAFSA at the following link. It is NOW OPEN! Click HERE for more information on the FAFSA for students beginning college fall 2026 or spring 2027. It is recommended that you obtain your FSA ID prior to completing the FAFSA to expedite the process.

The 2026-2027 FAFSA income information is based on prior-prior year (2024) income, which eliminates the need to estimate tax information.
If eligible, you (and parents / spouse as applicable) are strongly encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import your 2024 IRS tax information into the FAFSA. Doing so will reduce the chance that Andrew College will be required to verify the accuracy of your information. You will access the DRT through the FAFSA.
On the FAFSA, enter the Andrew College’s school code of 001545 so that we get the results.
You should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.
To complete the FAFSA, please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
You and a parent will be required to apply for separate FSA-ID’s. The FSA-ID is your electronic signature for the FAFSA, and you will keep the same FSA-ID number throughout your college career. The FSA-ID website is https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. Please note that it will take 1-3 days from the time you apply for the FSA-ID until you receive your official FSA-ID.

FAFSA Verification

Between 20% and 35% of FAFSA’s are selected for verification. Verification is the process by which certain required data reported on the FAFSA is reviewed for accuracy and completeness. If your FAFSA is chosen for the standard V1 verification, you will be required to submit the following documentation:

Dependent Students

Dependent Student Verification Worksheet
A current IRS Tax Return Transcript for your parent(s’) and yourself, if you filed or signed copy of your 2023 federal tax return. Tax Return Transcripts can be ordered online at www.irs.gov or by phone at 1-800-908-9946. If you were able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool during the completion of your FAFSA, you will not be required to provide the IRS Tax Return Transcript.

Independent Students

Independent Student Verification Worksheet
A current IRS Tax Return Transcript for you and if you are married, your spouse. As an alternative, you may submit a signed copy of your 2023 federal tax return. Tax Return transcripts can be ordered online at www.irs.gov or by phone at 1-800-908-9946. If you were able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool during the completion of your FAFSA, you will not be required to provide the IRS Tax Return Transcript.

If you were selected for another verification category (V4 or V5), please contact the Andrew College financial aid office via email to request the proper form.

Navigating the 2025-2026 FAFSA Form for Dependent Students

This webinar will guide participants through a demonstration of the 2025-2026 FAFSA® form for dependent students.

Navigating the 2025-2026 FAFSA Form for Independent Students

This webinar will guide participants through a demonstration of the 2025-2026 FAFSA® form for independent students.

Financial Aid Literacy

Financial Aid Literacy Guide (2025–26)

Everything Andrew College students need to know—first-time freshmen, transfers, adult/returning, and certificate.

1) What’s in “Financial Aid”?

Grants (no repayment): Federal Pell Grant, plus state/institutional programs.
Federal Work-Study: Part-time campus/community jobs (based on eligibility and funding).
Federal Direct Loans: Subsidized/Unsubsidized for students; PLUS for parents/grad when applicable.

2) FAFSA®: How to Apply

Create an FSA ID for the student and any required contributors (e.g., a parent).
Complete the 2026–27 FAFSA (for the 2026-2027 school year).
All required contributors must consent to IRS data use and sign the FAFSA.
After you submit, review your FAFSA Submission Summary and resolve any issues quickly.

Fill out the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov

About the Student Aid Index (SAI)

The SAI helps schools determine your eligibility for need-based aid. It can be a negative number. It’s not a bill.

3) 2025–26 Key Dollar Facts

Pell Grant: Award depends on SAI, Cost of Attendance, and enrollment intensity. Check current amounts:

Federal Pell Grant overview & current max

Loan Interest Rates: Fixed annually for loans first disbursed July 1–June 30 each year. See the latest:

Current federal loan interest rates

4) Understanding Your Offer

Your financial aid offer reflects your Cost of Attendance (COA), SAI, and program funding. Grants/scholarships reduce costs; work-study provides earnings; loans can be accepted, reduced, or declined.

5) Staying Eligible (SAP)

Federal rules require Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): GPA, pace (credits completed), and max timeframe (generally 150% of program length). Falling below SAP can result in suspension of aid until eligibility is regained or an appeal is approved.

6) If You Withdraw (R2T4)

If you fully withdraw or stop attending, we must calculate how much Title IV aid you earned vs. what must be returned (R2T4). After you complete more than 60% of the period, you’ve earned 100% of the aid for that term. Be aware of institutional drop/add dates. Always talk to Financial Aid before withdrawing.

7) Special & Unusual Circumstances

Contact financialaid@andrewcollege.edu with any questions about special circumstances or unusual circumstances, as well as the required documentation.

8) Repayment Basics

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans base payments on income and family size. Program availability and specific terms can change—always check for the latest updates, including SAVE.

IDR overview & application

Quick Checklists

First-Time Freshmen (Dependent)

Create FSA IDs (student & parent contributor).
Complete FAFSA + ensure consent/signatures are done.
Review FAFSA Submission Summary & fix issues if applicable. Add Andrew College to your FAFSA.
Compare offers; accept grants/work-study first; borrow only what you need.

Transfers / Adult & Returning

Complete FAFSA + ensure consent/signatures are done. Update Enrollment level.
Review FAFSA Submission Summary & fix issues if applicable. Add Andrew College to your FAFSA.
Compare offers; accept grants/work-study first; borrow only what you need.
When you send final transcripts, ask how transfer credits affect SAP and remaining eligibility.

Certificate / Less-Than-Full-Time

Some aid pro-rates based on enrollment intensity; ask how half-time or modular classes affect Pell/loans. Email financialaid@andrewcollege.edu with any questions.

International & Undocumented

Federal aid is generally unavailable; explore institutional scholarships and third-party funding.

Loans Options
Scholarships
StudentAid.gov

Have Questions?

Office of Financial Aid
📞 (229) 732-5923 | 📧 financialaid@andrewcollege.edu

We are here to answer your questions! We can even schedule a Zoom or Google Meet for the student and parent. Please reach out to us by calling or sending an email.

FAFSA

What is FAFSA?