What and when is the priority filing date?
Most institutions establish a financial aid application priority date. Applying for aid by this date usually assures that you will receive the best package of aid available at that institution. At NC State, the priority filing date is March 1. This is the date by which the federal processor must receive your financial aid application. If your FAFSA is received by this date, you will be given first priority for all need-based scholarship and grant funds in addition to other forms of aid to meet as much of your financial need as possible. The March 1 priority date is the same each year. For example, if you are applying for financial aid for the 2005-2006 academic year, your FAFSA should reach the federal processor by March 1, 2005 if you wish to be considered for the greatest amount of available financial aid.
The priority filing date is the date set by each university by which the federal processor must receive your financial aid application for priority consideration for financial aid. At George Mason University, the priority filing date is March 1st of the year for which you are applying for financial aid. That is, if you are applying for financial aid for the 2009-2010 school year, your FAFSA should reach the federal processor by March 1, 2009 to be considered for the greatest amount of available financial aid.
The priority filing date is the date set by a university by which the federal processor must receive your financial aid application for priority consideration for financial aid. At MSU-Northern, the priority filing date is April 15th of the year for which you are applying for financial aid. So if you are applying for financial aid for the 2008-2009 school year, your FAFSA should reach the federal processor by April 15, 2008 to be considered for the greatest amount of available financial aid.
