YES, if you would like to be considered for any federal aid (Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, Direct loans, and Work-Study) or UM need-based aid, you must complete the FAFSA. 

The FSA ID is a username and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education online systems. Students and all contributors must register for an FSA ID.

Create your FSA ID here.

A contributor is anyone providing information on a FAFSA, including: 

• the student 
• the student’s spouse (if married) 
• the biological or adoptive parent(s) 
• the spouse of a remarried parent who is on the FAFSA (stepparent) 

IMPORTANT: CONTRIBUTORS MUST COMPLETE WITHIN 45 DAYS

Contributors have 45 days to complete their portion of the FAFSA after the student initiates an invite. After 45 days, the student’s FAFSA information will be lost.

You must create an FSA ID at least three days before you file. Students and all contributors must register for an FSA ID. 

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is available now. After submitting it, please know that you will NOT be able to make changes to it until after April 1, 2024.

FAFSA contributors will have to give consent. The student and all contributors must provide this consent and approval on the FAFSA in order to be eligible for federal student aid. Providing consent even applies to contributors who don’t have a Social Security Number, didn’t file 2022 taxes, or who filed taxes outside the United States.

Dependency status on the FAFSA is not based on whether a student is self-supporting. Rather, it is assumed that until a student turns 24 they are a dependent of their parents and therefore must supply parental information, unless they meet one of the "Personal Circumstances Questions." To view this list of questions visit: Dependency Status | Federal Student Aid

UM’s priority deadline for receipt of the FAFSA is April 1, 2024. For best results, file by this date or as soon as possible after this date has passed.

The FAFSA Code for the University of Montana is 002536. The results of your FAFSA or the Student Aid Index (SAI) will be sent to each school you list on the FAFSA.

Refer to these Federal Student Aid videos to review common issues that can arise when filling out the FAFSA.

Creating an FSA ID and Pitfalls (6 minutes) 

I lost my FSA ID Information! (7 minutes) 

My parents are divorced or separated – help! (2.5 minutes) 

No Social Security Number? You can still create an FSA ID! (3 minutes)  

My Contributor is a Noncitizen – help! (2.5 minutes) 

Trouble with Review, Sign, & Submit your FAFSA (2 minutes) 

Still need help? 

UM's Financial Aid Office will work with you if you need help filling out the FAFSA. Call us at 406-243-5373 or email finaid@umontana.edu to make an appointment.

You can also schedule a free, private session with a UM Financial Education staff member by calling 406-243-2800. In-person, virtual and phone appointments are available. You can choose a 30- or 60-minute session. 

Are you a current UM student who needs help with the FAFSA? Schedule an appointment online through your Navigate account. 

New students: Once we have received your FAFSA, we will send you an email and show it on your Admitted Student Checklist.

Current students: Once your FAFSA is received, you will receive an email notifying of your next steps to complete the aid process. Emails will begin being sent in mid-April 2024.

If you have not heard from UM about your financial aid offer by May 1, 2024, contact the Financial Aid Office at 406-243-5373 or finaid@umontana.edu.

To check the status of your FAFSA, follow these steps:

Log into your StudentAid.gov account and find “My Activity” on your dashboard.

Your application will be designated one of the following statuses:

• Draft: Your section of the FAFSA form is incomplete. 
• In Progress: You provided your consent, approval and signature to your section of the FAFSA form, but it has not been submitted yet.
• In Review: Your FAFSA form was submitted but has not been processed yet.
• Action Required: You are missing your consent and approval or signature, or the FAFSA form was processed by a correction is required.
• Processed: Your application was processed successfully. No further action is needed. 
• Closed: Your FAFSA form was never submitted and can no longer be submitted because the federal FAFSA deadline passed.

Visit the FAFSA Review and Correct webpage for instructions on how to keep your FAFSA moving forward.

Video: What Happens After Submitting the FAFSA? (2 minutes) 

Video: Where is my Financial Aid? (3 minutes) 

UM's Financial Aid Office will work with you to ensure you have access to the resources you need to pay for college. If you need help filling out the FAFSA, call us at 406-243-5373 or email finaid@umontana.edu.

You can also schedule a free, private session with a UM Financial Education staff member by calling 406-243-2800. In-person, virtual and phone appointments are available. You can choose a 30- or 60-minute session. 

Are you a current UM student who needs help with the FAFSA? Schedule an appointment online through your Navigate account.