Tip #1: Apply Early and Annually
To be considered for financial aid, students must apply each year. Visit Apply for Financial Aid for detailed instructions on how to apply for financial aid. SUNY Poly's recommended FAFSA filing deadline is February 1.
Tip #2: Notify your Contributors and Prepare your Documents
Beginning with the 2024–25 FAFSA form, all contributors must create their own FSA ID to access and complete their portion of the FAFSA form. Contributors without an SSN can create an FSA ID.
What is a contributor?
A contributor is anyone who is required to provide consent and approval to have their federal tax information transferred directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form and a signature on the form. Contributor information is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, but being identified as a contributor does not mean that they have an obligation to pay for your education.
Who can be considered a contributor?
- You - the student applying for federal financial aid
- Your biological or adoptive parent
- Your parent's spouse (your step parent)
- Your spouse
Contributors on the FAFSA form are determined based on:
- Dependency status
- Marital status
- The way you file your taxes
We recommend all contributors be prepared with the following information and documents prior to submission of the FAFSA form:
- Legal Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Email Address
- 2022 Tax Returns (Prior Prior Year Tax Documents)
- Records of Child Support Received
- Current Balances of Cash, Savings, and Checking Accounts
- Net Worth of Investments, Business, and Farms
Tip #3: Apply for NYS TAP while Completing your FAFSA (New York State Residents only)
New York State Residents can apply for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) from within the FAFSA. From the FAFSA submission confirmation page, click “File Your TAP Application Now.” If you didn’t click the link within the FAFSA, you can still apply for TAP on HESC’s website.
Tip #4: If You Make a Mistake, You Can Correct It
If you make a mistake while submitting the FAFSA, like forgetting a contributor’s information or excluding your signature, you can make changes once your FAFSA is processed. (You cannot make changes until the initial submission is processed.) Learn how to make changes to your FAFSA.
Tip #5: Monitor your Email for Important Communications
Important information will be sent to you after you complete your FAFSA – including your FAFSA Submission Summary, which outlines your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and eligibility for federal Pell Grants. You may be instructed from Federal Student Aid (who administers the FAFSA) to submit additional information to the Financial Aid Office. It will be important to respond to these emails promptly as it may impact your financial aid eligibility.
