SIUE's Office of Student Financial Aid Host 2026–27 FAFSA Workshop Sessions

SIUE's Office of Student Financial Aid Host 2026-27 FAFSA Workshop Sessions

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Office of Student Financial Aid is organizing a series of outreach workshop events to help attendees fill out their 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The sessions include a list of events:

• Completion Nights with financial aid staff walking attendees through the FAFSA, answering questions and providing one-on-one assistance
• Virtual information sessions with expert support, sharing helpful tips
• Financial aid pop-up locations in residence halls to assist attendees with application completion

More information is available on the SIUE FAFSA Completion Nights information page.

A free application completed by current and prospective college students across the country, FAFSA is one of the most important tools for lowering the cost of higher education and is an essential step to determine eligibility for student financial aid. Submitting FAFSA applications ensures students are not leaving free resources like grants and scholarships out of their calculations.

The FAFSA determines federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility and is available to students on an annual basis in order to leverage the funding benefits. Funding distributed through this process, such as federal grants, work study positions and other need-based aid, does not have to be repaid.

The application for 2026-27 opened ahead of schedule last year on September 24, and SIUE encouraged all current and incoming students to file their applications early to maximize potential financial aid and not miss out on time-sensitive funding. Applications for the 2026-27 school year may be filed October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Any corrections or updates can be submitted by September 12, 2027.

"Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps students can take to make college more affordable. We know the process can feel overwhelming, so we're here to help," says Don Pulliam, MBA, director of financial aid at SIUE. "Filing early gives students the best chance to maximize their financial aid and avoid missing out on available funding. That's why we've designed these workshops to remove barriers, meet students where they are, and provide the clear guidance and support they need to complete the FAFSA with confidence and successfully plan for the upcoming academic year."

Student applicants will need their FSA ID, social security number, and 2024 federal tax information to complete the application form. Students who are considered dependent by federal standards will also need to have their parents' information to file. All applicants are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if they are eligible to import verified tax information directly into the FAFSA instead of having to enter it manually.

For more information, visit the SIUE Financial Aid Official website or call 618-650-3880 to speak with a representative.

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