Applying for financial aid

Step by step, we’re here to help

Whether you have questions about completing the FAFSA or want to review your Financial Aid Award Letter, don't hesitate to email or call with questions. 

Helpful videos

The FAFSA isn't difficult to complete, but it can feel overwhelming. These videos will help you through Steps 1 and 2, below:

Federal Student Aid FAFSA Overview 
Federal Student Aid Completing the FAFSA

Adventures in Education (AIE)
Step-by-step: 2020-21 FAFSA (English) (Spanish)

Step 1: Obtain an FSA ID

You (or both you and your parents, if you file as a dependent student) will need to have a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) in order to complete the FAFSA. You'll use the FSA ID to complete the FAFSA each year while you're a student. It is also used for other federal financial aid-related websites.

Create your FSA ID online or through the myStudentAid app (Apple Store or Google Store). You can also retrieve your FSA ID here as well.

An FSA ID can only be associated with one email address, so students and parents can not share an email address.

To create your FSA ID, you'll need:

• Your name
• Your social security number
• Your birth date
• Your email address

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You'll need your FSA ID and password (Step 1, above) in order to complete the FAFSA. CIA's FAFSA code is 003982.

Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible
Completing the FAFSA early allows us to base your financial aid package on the most financial assistance possible from federal, state, and school-funded sources. We cannot create a financial aid award package for you without a FAFSA on file.

IRS Retrieval Tool
We recommend that you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) when prompted to complete the FAFSA. This online tool is the easiest and most accurate way to import your previous-year tax return information into your FAFSA.

Renewal FAFSA
If you completed the FAFSA last year, you should be able to complete the Renewal FAFSA, which will pre-populate this year's FAFSA with your data from last year. 

Step 3: Review and accept financial aid award

One of our financial aid counselors will review your FAFSA to determine eligibilty for federal, state, and CIA-funded sources of financial aid. A Financial Aid Award Letter will be sent to you which will show the sources and amounts of aid that you are eligible to receive. The award letter will also let you know if there are any documents that we need you to complete.

Once you've reviewed your Financial Aid Award Letter, you should review and accept the award online at Net Partner, CIA's online tool for managing financial aid.

To access Net Partner for the first time: 

• Visit netpartner.cia.edu
• In the User Name field, enter your CIA Student ID (found on your Financial Aid Award Letter)
• Click "First Time User" at the bottom of the login screen
• Answer the security questions and create your own password

Step 4: Complete entrance counseling and MPN

If you accept Federal Direct Student Loans as part of your financial aid package, you'll need to complete entrance counseling and the Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). These should be completed by August 1 to ensure that your loan funds will be disbursed prior to the start of the school year. 

Step 5 (optional): Complete PLUS loan application

A Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a cost-effective solution for parents to keep their student's debt as manageable as possible. Parents of dependent children may apply for these low-interest loans.

Submit a PLUS loan online at studentloans.gov/plus.

Deadlines

Freshman and transfer students 
New applicants for admission to CIA should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible, so that a Financial Aid Award Letter can be prepared for you.

Continuing students
The priority deadline to submit the FAFSA for currently enrolled students is March 15 each academic year. March 1 is the deadline to submit the FAFSA in order to be considered for academic department scholarships that have financial need criteria. All currently enrolled students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible.