Step 1: Apply for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid is an annual process. The primary application you must complete is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This single application is used to determine your eligibility for all federal and state aid, including grants, work-study, and loans.
How to Complete Your FAFSA
Follow these steps to ensure your application is submitted correctly.
1. Create Your Student Aid Account (FSA ID)
Before you can start the FAFSA, you (the student) and at least one parent (if you are a dependent student) must each create a unique Student Aid Account. This is also known as an FSA ID.
Your FSA ID serves as your legal electronic signature for all federal student aid documents.
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Action: Go to studentaid.gov to create your FSA ID.
Note: Keep your FSA ID secure. Do not share it with anyone.
2. Gather Your Required Documents
You will need the following information to complete the FAFSA:
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Your Social Security Number (and parents' SSNs, if dependent)
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Your driver's license number (if you have one)
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Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
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Federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
Note: The FAFSA will specify which tax year's information is required.
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Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
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Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
3. Complete the FAFSA Application
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Action: Go to studentaid.gov to complete the FAFSA.
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The application is free. You should never pay to complete the FAFSA.
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You must reapply each academic year.
4. Add Austin Peay State University (APSU)
To send your FAFSA results to us, you must add our school code:
- APSU Federal School Code: 003478
Important Deadlines
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APSU Priority Deadline:
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Visit the Office of the Registrar's website to view the priority registration deadlines.
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Submitting your FAFSA by this date gives you the best opportunity for limited-funded aid (such as a Federal Work-Study).
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FAFSA Application Window: The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year opens on October 1, 2025.
Information for Specific Student Types
Transfer Students
If you are transferring to APSU, you must complete these additional steps:
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Update Your FAFSA: Log back into your completed FAFSA and add the APSU school code (003478). Ensure you submit the correction, not just save it.
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Update State Grants (Tennessee Residents): If you receive the HOPE Scholarship or other TN state grants, you must log in to the TSAC Student Portal and change your institution to Austin Peay State University. Aid will not be awarded until this is complete.
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Verification: If you were selected for Verification at your previous institution, you must submit all required documentation to the APSU Office of Financial Aid as well.
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Loan History: Your federal student loan limits (aggregates) do not reset when you transfer.
Graduate Students
Graduate students are considered independent and do not need to provide parent information on the FAFSA. Eligibility is primarily for federal unsubsidized loans and graduate PLUS loans.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
To receive federal and state financial aid, you must meet the following general requirements.
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Be accepted for admission and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at APSU.
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Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
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Have a valid Social Security Number.
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Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) once enrolled. (This is covered in Step 4).
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Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a repayment on a federal grant.
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Have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent (e.g., GED).
Next Step: After You Apply
After you submit your FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) by email. Review this for accuracy. If any information is incorrect, log back in to make corrections.
Once APSU receives your FAFSA, we will begin our review.