As you may have seen in recent national news, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been delayed by the Department of Education. The FAFSA is available for students to complete and submit today, but colleges will not receive FAFSAs until sometime in March. Colleges will not even be able to see if you have submitted a FAFSA until sometime in March.

What does this mean for current students who are US citizens or permanent residents planning to return to the college for fall 2024?

1. If you have not completed a FAFSA, please do so before March 1. The Department of Education states that they will send the data to St. John’s in March. When we receive the data, we will process your financial aid award as quickly as possible.
2. If you already completed and submitted a FAFSA, you are all set for now. The Department of Education has your information and states that they will send the data to St. John’s in March. When we receive the data, we will process your financial aid award as quickly as possible.
3. If you have a merit scholarship from St. John’s and do not want any need-based financial aid from St. John’s, federal loans, or federal Pell Grants, you do not need to complete a FAFSA, but email annapolis.financialaid(at)sjc.edu (for Annapolis) or santafe.financialaid(at)sjc.edu (for Santa Fe) to let us know you will not be submitting a FAFSA.
4. If for some reason you need to know your financial aid award for the 2024-25 school year before April 1, email annapolis.financialaid(at)sjc.edu (for Annapolis) or santafe.financialaid(at)sjc.edu (for Santa Fe) so we can discuss alternative options. Otherwise, expect financial aid awards from St. John’s in late March at the earliest.

What does this mean for current and prospective international students planning for fall 2024?

Nothing has changed. You should submit the CSS Profile (for all prospective students and Annapolis current students) or the International Student Financial Aid Application (for Santa Fe current students) by March 1, and we will provide you with a financial aid award shortly after.

What does this mean for prospective students who are US citizens or permanent residents planning to start college in fall 2024?

1. Complete and submit the CSS Profile as soon as possible. If you are admitted to St. John’s, we can provide you an estimated financial aid offer based on the CSS Profile immediately. You can use this estimate to help you make your college choice.
2. Complete and submit the FAFSA by March 1. As soon as we receive the FAFSA data from the Department of Education in March, we will send you an updated financial aid offer based on the FAFSA.
3. Make your enrollment deposit by May 1. If you need additional time due to the FAFSA delay, contact your admissions counselor, and we would be happy to grant an extension.

We know this situation with the FAFSA can be stressful and confusing, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. We are here to help. For current students, you can reach the Annapolis Financial Aid Office at 410-626-2502 or annapolis.financialaid(at)sjc.edu and the Santa Fe Financial Aid Office at 505-984-6058 or santafe.financialaid(at)sjc.edu. For prospective students, contact your admissions counselor.

Important Resources

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Annapolis FAFSA code: 002092

Santa Fe FAFSA code: 002093

The CSS Profile