Federal Student Aid is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education that "ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance for education beyond high school." Federal Student Aid award packages are comprised of grants, loans, and work-study jobs. Bitterroot College Federal Student Aid procedures and deadlines are the same as those for Missoula College and the University of Montana. Visit Federal Student Aid to learn more about the grants, loans, and work-study jobs available to help fund your education.

To receive Federal Student Aid, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Checklist for Completing the FAFSA

1. Apply for your FSA ID at FSA ID (your same FSA ID is good from year-to-year)
2. Complete FAFSA online at Apply for FAFSA
   • You will need:
     
     • University of Montana FAFSA School Code: 002536
     • Your Social Security Number and your parents’ Social Security Numbers if you are providing parental information—parental information is required of all students under the age of 24 barring certain conditions
     • Your driver’s license number if you have one
     • Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. citizen
     • Federal income tax information* for yourself and spouse if you are married and for your parents if you are providing parental information. Recommended: Use FAFSA’s IRS Data Retrieval Tool to automatically transfer your federal income tax information to your FAFSA. If you have not yet filed a federal income tax return, estimated income tax information may be used until your final information is available.
     • Information on savings, investments, and business and farm assets for yourself and your parents if you are providing parental information.

*For Federal Student Aid for Fall 2018, Spring 2019, and/or Summer 2019, use 2016 taxes; for Federal Student Aid for Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and/or Summer 2020, use 2017 taxes

New Students:

• Complete your FAFSA online and submit your Bitterroot College application at least 10 weeks before the start of your first semester to ensure you receive your Financial Aid before the semester starts

Returning Students:

• You must re-apply for Financial Aid (complete a new FAFSA) each academic year. Complete your FAFSA online at least 8 weeks before you return for a new academic year to ensure you receive your Financial Aid before the semester starts

Once you have successfully completed your FAFSA and are officially admitted to Bitterroot College, the University of Montana will begin processing your Financial Aid Award. Your Financial Aid Award is available for viewing and accepting once you are cleared to access your online student account (CyberBear via the UM Login portal) and your award has been fully processed by the University of Montana Financial Aid Office.

For instructions on accepting your Financial Aid Award, visit Accept Financial Aid.