General Information for Full-Time Undergraduates

Just like many other institutions across the nation, we have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of data from the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Recent changes by the U.S. Department of Education have led to processing delays, affecting our ability to distribute award packages to prospective students. While we have begun to receive some data, it is coming in slowly.  We plan to start sending new students award packages in April. Current students can expect to receive their award packages towards the end of June.

We understand the stress this may cause, and we want to reassure you that our Office of Student Financial Planning is proactively working on this issue. We are monitoring the progress of the U.S. Department of Education with their FAFSA processing timeline to ensure we can start assembling financial aid packages as soon as possible.

Actions You Can Take Now

While we navigate these delays, you’re not without options. Here’s what you can do in the meantime:

Prospective Student Families:

  • Submit Your FAFSA ASAP: If you haven’t already, submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.
  • Get an Estimated Financial Aid Package: To get an idea of potential costs, send your FAFSA results (Student Aid Index – SAI) to finaid@morningside.edu for an estimated aid package.  If the U.S. Department of Education hasn’t fully processed your FAFSA, you can complete the Federal Student Aid Estimator | Federal Student Aid and send the results to our office.  While this is only an estimate, your family may find it helpful.
  • Iowa Families:  Please complete the Iowa Financial Aid Application by April 1st by answering a series of simple questions to determine if you may be eligible for additional state aid.
  • Decide When It’s Right for You: While May 1 is National College Decision Day, Morningside always accepts students beyond this date. If you know Morningside is your choice, you can make your deposit anytime; however, it’s important to us that you do not feel pressured – especially with the processing delay. We will be happy to work with you when you are ready to take the next step.

Current Student Families:

  • Submit your FAFSA ASAP. Your application must be received by July 1 to ensure the renewal of your Morningside need-based assistance.
  • Iowa Families:  Please complete the Iowa Financial Aid Application by April 1 by answering a series of simple questions to determine if you may be eligible for additional state aid.

All Families:

  • Contributors (parents and/or spouse) will all need their own Federal Student Aid account. You can learn more from Federal Student Aid. We also advise you to use this form that our Office of Student Financial Planning provides to help families keep FSA account information organized. You may also find this video helpful.
  • Check status of your 2024-2025 FAFSA. You can check the status of your FAFSA by logging onto FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid and clicking on “Access Existing Form”, then click on 2024-2025 FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education has had some delays in processing the 2024-2025 FAFSAs, so there are several different status options that may appear:
    • FAFSA Form Started. This means that additional action is needed (you, a parent, or a spouse needs to complete a section of your FAFSA).
    • FAFSA Form Submitted. This means that you have done everything you need to do.  The Government will process your 2024-2025 FAFSA as soon as they are able to.
    • FAFSA Form Processed. This means that your FAFSA has been processed and you should have received an email notifying you of your SAI (Student Aid Index).  The U.S. Department of Education has stated that they will be sending FAFSA information to colleges and universities starting in Mid-March and on a rolling basis after that.

Or, you may see a status listed below:

*If you have “Action Required” – you need to update or complete whatever may be missing or invalid.

A few students who have had a FAFSA processed but have a blank Student Aid Index (SAI) – formerly Expected Family Contribution (EFC) might be receiving the following:

*These students need to make a correction, update, or complete blank information.  The government has suggested that corrections by students/families should be available in the first half of April.

  • For any specific concerns or need for individual assistance, our team is here to help. Contact us at finaid@morningside.edu or call 712-274-5159.

For Students with Contributors Who May Not Have a Social Security Number:

  • Helpful Information. This page provides details about how to fill out the form if one or more of your contributors does not have a social security number.

We know this situation is less than ideal and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this period. Please rest assured that our commitment to assisting you through the financial aid process remains unwavering and all of us at Morningside will work as quickly as we are able to once we receive FAFSA data.

Student Timeline:

May

June

  • Attend Summer Enrollment Day (New Students only)
  • Review options on how you can pay your bill:
    • Pay by Semester
      • Fall semester due September 30Spring semester due February 15
      Set up an Interest-Free monthly Payment Plan by completing this form. Apply for a Federal Parent PLUS LoanApply for Private Loan (Student typically requires qualified co-signer, Parent, Sponsor)
    • Contact your 529 Plan Representative to set up payments.

August

  • Contact your Private Scholarship Organization to make sure they have everything that they need to send their funds.
  • Review Campus WEB
    • My Financial Aid, Forms – All forms have been submitted.
    • My Financial Aid, Awards – Make sure all awards have been accepted, reduced, or declined as you wish.
    • Validate your enrollment.