Applying for financial aid

Step by step, we’re here to help

Whether you have questions about completing the FAFSA or want to review your Financial Aid Award Letter, don't hesitate to email or call with questions. 

Because of challenges with the new FAFSA form, CIA has extended its 2024 Deposit Priority Deadline to June 1.

Step 1: Obtain an FSA ID

All contributors on a FAFSA application, student, student’s spouse, if married, and parent(s) for dependent students need an FSA ID. The FSA ID is a username and password that allows students and parents to access and sign the FAFSA. It is also used on other federal student aid websites. It is ties to your social security number and serves as a legal signature. 

Create your FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid website.

To create your FSA ID, you'll need:

• Your name
• Your social security number
• Your birth date
• Your email address and/or mobile phone number

Everyone who attempts to use their FSA ID to log into the FAFSA will go through a multifactor authentication process. Tip:Be sure to use your own distinct email address and phone number for your FSA ID. 

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You'll need your FSA ID and password (Step 1, above) in order to complete the FAFSA. CIA's FAFSA code is 003982.

Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible
Completing the FAFSA early allows us to base your financial aid package on the most financial assistance possible from federal, state, and school-funded sources. We cannot create a financial aid award package for you without a FAFSA on file.

Consent
Each contributor on the FAFSA is required to consent to the disclosure and use of their federal tax information for the purposes of determining an applicant’s eligibility for federal student aid through the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX).  Every contributor on the FAFSA is required to consent to DDX, even if they didn’t file taxes, for the student to be eligible for financial aid.

Renewal FAFSA
You should apply for financial aid every year.  The application typically opens October 1 (except for the 2024-2025 academic year when it will open sometime in December 2023).

Step 3: Review and accept financial aid award

One of our financial aid counselors will review your FAFSA to determine eligibilty for federal, state, and CIA-funded sources of financial aid. A Financial Aid Award Notification will be sent to you which will show the sources and amounts of aid that you are eligible to receive. The award letter will also let you know if there are any documents that we need you to complete.

Once you've reviewed your Financial Aid Award Notification, you should review and accept the award online at Net Partner, CIA's online tool for managing financial aid.

To access Net Partner for the first time: 

• Visit netpartner.cia.edu
• In the User Name field, enter your CIA Student ID (found on your Financial Aid Award Notification)
• Click "First Time User" at the bottom of the login screen
• Answer the security questions and create your own password

Step 4: Complete entrance counseling and MPN

If you accept Federal Direct Student Loans as part of your financial aid package, you'll need to complete entrance counseling and the Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). These should be completed by August 1 to ensure that your loan funds will be disbursed prior to the start of the school year. 

Step 5 (optional): Complete PLUS loan application

A Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a cost-effective solution for parents to keep their student's debt as manageable as possible. Parents of dependent children may apply for these low-interest loans.

Submit a PLUS loan online.

Deadlines

Freshman and transfer students 
New applicants for admission to CIA should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible, so that a Financial Aid Award Notification can be prepared for you.

Continuing students
The priority deadline to submit the FAFSA for currently enrolled students is March 15 each academic year. March 1 is the deadline to submit the FAFSA in order to be considered for academic department scholarships that have financial need criteria. All currently enrolled students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible.