Apply for Graduate Aid

At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, you only need one form to apply for financial aid during the academic year - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly called the FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid programs.

We recommend you apply as soon as the FAFSA opens each year at studentaid.gov. The University has a priority filing deadline of May 1, but you can still file after May 1 to be considered for financial aid. We encourage you to meet your state and scholarship agency deadlines. 

For more information about this year's FAFSA, please see our page outlining Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA and check back for frequent updates.

Be sure to list the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Federal School Code, 002221, on the FAFSA.

The FAFSA form is available in English and Spanish.

There are different ways to file. Choose the one that is easiest for you:

• You can apply online at studentaid.gov.
• You can complete a PDF FAFSA, you need to print the PDF available at studentaid.gov and mail the completed form.
• Contact 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) to request a paper FAFSA and for assistance in filing.
• Go to your financial aid office for assistance.

Don’t forget UMass Amherst’s Federal School Code: 002221.

Seven Easy Steps to the FAFSA: A student’s guide to successfully completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Everyone should file the FAFSA! All eligible students qualify for something.

• Determining your financial aid award: UMass Amherst believes that the primary responsibility for financing your college education rests with you and your family. However, financial aid is available to assist in your efforts to pay college costs. Eligible graduate students qualify for unsubsidized loans if you have successfully completed the FAFSA. To determine the amount that you may receive each year, Financial Aid Services considers the following criteria:
  • Enrollment in an eligible program: You must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits in an eligible degree-granting program. See Eligibility for more information. (If you are a program fee student you may be eligible for a Federal Direct Loan if your credit hours of enrollment and research work on your degree requirements can be classified as equivalent to at least half time. The Graduate Registrar will certify your enrollment status upon notification from your graduate program director. Since there are no tuition charges for program fee students, loan funds may be used for indirect educational expenses and to pay for the program fee charge).
  • Cost of Attendance: includes tuition and fees as well as room and board, books and supplies, and personal and transportation expenses. Visit University Costs for a listing of tuition, fees, and expenses.
  • Do you have an assistantship or fellowship? Students who have an assistantship or fellowship generally receive less unsubsidized loan than those who do not. This is because you receive tuition and/or fee waivers with your assistantship or fellowship. Therefore, we cannot give you financial aid for those fees. Financial Aid Services will automatically assume you are receiving these waivers and will award you accordingly. Please contact us if you are NOT receiving an assistantship or fellowship.
  • Annual and lifetime eligibility limits: You may not receive unsubsidized loan amounts exceeding annual limits of $20,500 or lifetime limits of $138,500 (this includes all federal loans borrowed as an undergraduate student, including subsidized loans).

• The FAFSA will be processed and electronically sent to Financial Aid Services at UMass. We will calculate your financial aid award based on your UMass Estimated Cost of Attendance.
• Check your “To Do List" on SPIRE frequently after submitting the FAFSA. This is where we will communicate all requests to you. If there are any outstanding items on your “To Do List", your financial aid award may be delayed and/or canceled. Be sure to complete all items on your “To Do” list. Contact Financial Aid Services with any questions or concerns regarding your “To Do List".
• We may be requesting verification of the following:
  • Citizenship documentation
  • High school completion status
  • Verification of identity
  • Number of people in the household and/or number in college
  • Government benefits received
  • Child support receved or paid
  • Untaxed distributions, payments and interest
  • Adjusted gross income, taxes paid, credits and exclusions
  • Verification of Non-filing obtained from the IRS for non-tax filers
• If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will need to fill out the proper verification worksheet, and provide our office with IRS tax return transcript or a signed copy of your IRS Form 1040 including all schedules filed. And/or a A Verification of Non-filing Letter.  You can obtain an IRS tax return transcript, or Verification of Non-filing Letter at www.irs.gov. Click on “Get Transcript Online" or "Get Transcript by Mail", and follow the instructions.
• Adjusting the Student Aid Index: A number of factors may cause Financial Aid Services to adjust your Student Aid Index in ways that can either reduce or increase your eligibility for financial aid. Note that for graduate students, a change in the Student Aid Index will not impact Federal loan eligibility or the UMass Amherst financial aid offer.
• Factors that can reduce your eligibility include (but are not limited to) your having:
  • Underestimated income, savings, or investments
  • Over-reported taxes or tax exemptions
  • Reported business or real estate income or losses that do not decrease real income
• Factors that can increase your eligibility include (but are not limited to) your having:
  • Over-reported income, savings, or investments
  • Under-reported taxes or tax exemptions
  • Lost income due to unemployment or underemployment
  • Unforeseen medical expenses due to the major illness of an immediate family member
  • Other additional direct or indirect educational expenses while enrolled at UMass Amherst
• Each year the U.S. Department of Education selects certain applicants for verification. The verification process requires Financial Aid Services to confirm the data provided on the FAFSA by the student. UMass may also select applicants for verification.
• You have 60 days to submit all requested documentation. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of any awarded financial aid or not receiving an award.
• Once you have been awarded, you will receive an email informing you that your award can be viewed on SPIRE.