2025-26 FAFSA
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2025-26 FAFSA

~ As of 1/1/2025 ~

The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available to complete!

Below you will find steps to help guide you through the financial aid process from filing the annual FAFSA application for federal eligibility through your student account access at the University.  We will continue to use this space to share important information that could impact eligibility, awarding, and aid disbursement as changes occur throughout the year.

At High Point University, we understand that the journey from high school to college marks a pivotal transition into adulthood. Our dedicated college professors and administrators are here to guide you on this transformative voyage, helping you discover and master your unique abilities, values, and knowledge.

Graduating from college isn’t just about earning a degree; it’s about equipping yourself with the intellectual, social, and practical skills that empower you to become self-sufficient and fully prepared for a successful career in your chosen field. You’ll also be ready to contribute meaningfully to society, shaping it with your unique contributions.

As the leading institution for life skills education, High Point University is committed to your holistic development. Our Student Financial Services offices, including Student Financial Planning and Student Accounts, work hand in hand with your families. Together, we empower you to gain essential financial literacy. We believe in making you the primary point of contact for all matters related to financing your education. This approach instills accountability and autonomy, valuable traits that will serve you well in your journey into adulthood.

At High Point University, we’re here to support you every step of the way, fostering your growth and independence within our nurturing university community and with the unwavering support of your family.

First-Time FAFSA Applicants
  • Each contributor must complete their section of FAFSA form online at FAFSA Application.
  • After completing their section of the FAFSA, the student will be prompted to enter the name, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), and email address of their contributor(s).
    • The contributor will receive an email with a link to sign in with their username and password to complete their section and grant consent for their tax information to be imported directly from the IRS.
    • If a contributor does not have a SSN, then below the SSN box you will check “doesn’t have a SSN” and then enter their physical address.
    • Please note that the contributor does NOT indicate financial responsibility. However, if a contributor refuses to provide the information, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid. 
  • Students should log into their studentaid.gov account and check the status of their FAFSA after all contributors have successfully completed their parts.
  • The FAFSA Submission Summary emailed to you provides the Student Aid Index (SAI) and federal aid for which you qualify.
  • Student Aid Index (SAI) determines Federal, State, and institutional need-based aid.
  • Schools you listed receive your Submission Summary in about 3 business days from successful submission.
  • If selected for verification or if there is a need to verify information provided, students are notified via email about required next steps and the documentation needed.
  • Cost of Attendance (COA) defines the yearly budget
    • Includes direct costs and indirect costs
      • Direct costs show on the student’s bill, such as Tuition & Fees, Housing, and Meal Plan.
      • Indirect costs are not billed, but allow for a refund to cover expenses such as Books, Course materials, Supplies & Equipment, Transportation, and Personal Expenses.
  • Student Aid Index (SAI) – Number calculated by the FAFSA information submitted to determine eligibility for need-based financial aid
  • Financial Need = Cost of Attendance (COA) − Student Aid Index (SAI)
  • Explore aid categories, types, and sources:
    • Gift aid – aid that does not have to be repaid and includes grants, scholarships, and tuition benefits.
    • Self-Help aid
      • Aid that must be repaid such as student loans
      • Aid that is earned through working – federal work study
    • Merit aid
      • Based on academic achievement and are offered by the Admissions Office based on your application to HPU and more
      • RESOURCE: Scholarship Awards Programs
      • Honors, Fellows, and Bonner Programs
        • Program-specific merit aid
        • require separate applications which can both be found on your Panther Page.
    • Talent scholarships
      • For participants in Athletics, Music, Theater and Dance, Marching Panthers, and Wind Ensemble.
      • based on recruitment, interviews, and/or auditions.
    • Need-based aid
      • Aid awarded based on financial need as determined by a completed FAFSA.
    • VIDEO: Types of Federal Student Aid
    • RESOURCE: Financial Assistance Programs
  • RESOURCE: Financial Aid Terms
  • Financial aid offers are emailed to new students starting in March.
    • A comprehensive list of all forms and types of aid from Federal, State, institutional, and outside sources a student is eligible to receive for the full academic year.
  • The order your aid presented is as follows:
    • Your gift aid – aid that does not have to be repaid
      • Institutional aid
        • Merit awards
          • Either awarded automatically through your admissions acceptance process or through application into a particular scholastic program
          • Includes descriptions and criteria for renewal of your award
        • HPU Need-based grants
          • Aid offered based on need as determined by your completed FAFSA and other gift aid you have been awarded
          • Subject to change based on changes in FAFSA information and awarding of other forms of aid
        • Talent scholarships
          • Awarded based on acceptance into an HPU talent program
          • Renewal subject to continued participation in the talent program
      • Federal, State, and Outside Grants
    • Your Loan Options
      • All students with a completed FASFA will be offered Federal student loans. These amounts are set by the federal government and are determined by the number of credit hours completed.
        • Subsidized loans
          • offered only to students with financial need
          • do not accumulate interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time.
        • Unsubsidized loans
          • Offered to all students with a completed FAFSA
          • interest starts at the time of disbursement.
        • All federal student loans begin repayment six (6) months after enrollment ends or drops below half-time.
  • All new student financial aid offers Cost of Attendance (COA) defaults to the University’s Tier 2 housing
  • Learn about appeals for special or unusual circumstances:
    • Must have completed FAFSA, have received initial financial aid offer, and filed 2024 taxes.
    • Changes in your financial picture such as loss of job for an extended period of time, divorce, death, substantial medical debt.
    • Submitted online through Self-Service/Student Forms portals.
    • Reviewed by Financial Planning after an official financial aid offer has been sent to the student.
    • Students must have unmet financial need to be considered.
    • Income changes between the 2023 tax year (reported on FAFSA) and the 2024 tax year (once filed) are major components for being able to approve a financial appeal.
  • RESOURCE: Financial Planning Policies
  • Understand billing statements, both mailed and online.
  • Learn what to expect on your statement, including pending aid.
    • All aid will show as anticipated aid until it actually disburses to the account after drop/add each term.
  • Once the bill is available for a given term, account activity is updated continuously and statements are uploaded regularly in the Student Account Center portal.
  • RESOURCE: New Student Checklist
  • RESOURCE: Self Service Portal
FAFSA Renewals
  • All contributors must complete their section of the FAFSA using their unique username and password. If there has been a change in your family, such as marriage, divorce, etc., or a change in the method of filing taxes, your contributors may be different than they were last year.
  • Any new contributors will need to create a StudentAid.gov account at least three business days before beginning the FAFSA form at StudentAid.gov account
  • Each contributor must complete their section of the 2025-26 FAFSA form online at FAFSA Application.
  • After completing their section of the FAFSA, the student will be prompted to enter the name, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), and email address of their contributor(s).
    • The contributor will receive an email with a link to sign in with their username and password to complete their section and grant consent for their tax information to be imported directly from the IRS.
    • If a contributor does not have a SSN, then below the SSN box you will check “doesn’t have a SSN” and then enter their physical address.
    • Please note that the contributor does NOT indicate financial responsibility. However, if a contributor refuses to provide the information, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid. 
  • Students should log into their studentaid.gov account and check the status of their FAFSA after all contributors have successfully completed their parts.
  • The FAFSA Submission Summary emailed to the student provides the Student Aid Index (SAI) and federal aid for which you qualify.
  • Student Aid Index (SAI) determines Federal, State, and institutional need-based aid.
  • Schools you listed receive your Submission Summary in about 3 business days from successful submission.
  • If selected for verification or if there is a need to verify the information provided, students are notified via email about the required next steps and the documentation needed.
  • Financial aid offers are emailed to returning students starting by the end of January.
  • Serves as your official comprehensive list of all forms and types of aid from Federal, State, institutional, and outside sources a student is eligible to receive for the full academic year.
  • VIDEO: Types of Federal Student Aid
  • Resources: Financial Assistance Programs
  • Accept or decline Federal student loans through your Self Service portal.
  • Complete entrance counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) if you are first-time borrower at HPU.
  • Newly awarded North Carolina Need-based Scholarship students must complete the NC Residency Determination no later than 45 days from the start of the first semester awarded
  • Learn about appeals for special or unusual circumstances:
    • Must have completed FAFSA, have received initial financial aid offer, and filed 2024 taxes.
    • Change in financial picture such as loss of job for extended period of time, divorce, death, substantial medical debt.
    • Submitted online through Self-Service/Student Forms portals.
    • Reviewed by Financial Planning after official financial aid offer has been sent to the student.
    • Student must have unmet financial need to be considered.
    • Income changes between tax year 2023 (reported on FAFSA) and tax year 2024 (once filed) is a major component for being able to approve financial appeal.
  • Resource: Financial Planning Policies
  • Understand how to view your billing statement, both mailed and online.
  • Learn what to expect on your statement, including pending aid.
    • All aid will show as anticipated aid until it actually disburses to the account after drop/add period each term.
  • Once the bill is available for a given term, account activity is updated continuously and statements are uploaded regularly in the Student Account Center portal.
  • RESOURCE: Self Service Portal
  • RESOURCE: New Academic Year Checklist