Dec. 10, 2024

Ferris State offering help to students, families completing FAFSA forms to access financial aid, scholarship opportunities

FAFSA's new form is ready and Ferris State is prepared to help — The new FAFSA form is easier and less time-consuming than the prior versions. The new-and-improved version can unlock opportunities to make college more affordable, Ferris State University leaders say. Ferris State is prepared to further assist students and parents.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

The new FAFSA form is easier and less time-consuming than the prior versions and can unlock opportunities to make college more affordable, Ferris State University leaders say.

The university has a special hotline to assist students and families with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA. Students with questions may schedule a one-on-one appointment online, contact the Financial Aid Hotline at (231) 591-2110, or send questions by email to [email protected].

The federal form – available here -- is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants, work study programs, and loans, but also for a wide variety of scholarships and other assistance.

The online application’s long-anticipated upgrades last year were delayed and created challenges for students and colleges alike. But Melanie Mulder, Ferris State’s assistant director for Financial Aid, said the new form is ready for students and families.

“Don’t wait, fill out your FAFSA,” Mulder said. “There is absolutely no downside to completing the form and we have specialists who can assist you every step of the way.”

Mulder said the new, simplified FAFSA should take students about a half-hour or less to complete. Students can list up to 20 colleges and universities to receive their data. Ferris State has created a “FAFSA Fact or Fiction” page available here to dispel myths and ease concerns.

The FAFSA form is also needed for students to access many of the opportunities in ScholarshipUniverse. The online tool is available for new and continuing students that will be attending Ferris State in the 2025-2026 academic year. ScholarshipUniverse will be open from Dec. 15, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2025, with internal Ferris State scholarship opportunities.

The program will help match eligible students with more than 500 donor-based, Ferris State-awarded scholarships, as well as more than 17,000 reputable external scholarship opportunities.

Additional information about all financial aid opportunities is available on the Ferris State website at ferris.edu/financialaid.