Financial Aid

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is federal and state government money that helps you pay for your educational expenses. It comes in two basic types – gift aid, which is given to a student without obligation, and self-help, which is either loans to be paid back or a work grant to be earned. Awards might be based on any combination of factors, including your grades, needs, talents, or circumstances. They can come from several sources, including federal and state governments and institutional aid.

Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Salem State offers a combination of need and merit-based aid. For detailed information on the FAFSA, types of aid, and eligibility criteria, visit studentaid.gov. 

Types of aid include grants and scholarships, work-study, and loans. The amount you receive is determined by your Cost of Attendance (COA) and Expected Family Contribution (EFC). 

Types of Financial Aid

• Merit-based aid is based on your achievements and academic performance and typically includes a scholarship that does not need to be repaid.
• Need-based aid solely takes into account the ability of you and your family to pay for college. This type of aid can come from grants, loans, and work-study.

Understanding Your Costs

The Cost of Attendance (COA) includes tuition, fees, room and board (food), transportation, books, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses. You can estimate your cost of attendance by using our online worksheet or net price calculator.

All the information you put on your Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) generates an estimate of how much you and your family can contribute to your education or your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Students and their families will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which determines their eligibility for financial aid. The FAFSA is required for each academic year a student is enrolled at Salem State in a degree-seeking program. You will need a secure username, called a FSA ID, and a password to complete the FAFSA. It will take about 30 minutes to complete the first time you apply for aid. Students and their families can do a quick renewal process every year after that. 

To apply for financial aid, complete the following steps:

• Create a Federal Student Aid ID
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Salem State's school code is 002188
• When you fill out your FAFSA, you'll provide personal demographic and financial information, such as your family's federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, bank statements, and information on your family's investments.

The FAFSA is available starting October 1 at no cost to students. Students will be considered for all federal, state, and institutional aid based on the information from their FAFSA. The FAFSA is also a requirement to be considered for Salem State scholarships and many other scholarships.

Are there Deadlines? 

• The FAFSA opens each year on October 1 
• Salem State's priority filing deadline is the following February 15  
• Massachusetts has an annual filing deadline of August 1
• Are you from another state? Check your state deadline.

Need Help Filing the FAFSA?

If you need help filling out the FAFSA form, use these free tools:

• In the online FAFSA form, select the white question mark icon next to a FAFSA question to view a “tool tip” that provides information about how to answer that question.
• You can visit the “FAFSA Help” page, view trending FAFSA topics, browse FAQs, search for more information, or select “Contact Us.”
• Once you select “Contact Us,” you’ll have the option of emailing us with your question or, during business hours, chatting (in English or Spanish) with live technical support staff.

Salem State University has partnered with the MassEdCO Educational Opportunity Center to provide additional support to students and families needing assistance with the FAFSA process.

The MassEdCo Educational Opportunity Center can assist with the following:

• Understanding the college application process and how to fill out an application
• Understanding the financial aid process and completing the FAFSA
• Deciding what to study and choosing an academic program that matches their career interests
• if applicable, transfer to Salem State, and much more!
• Please contact the North Shore Area Educational Opportunity Center in Lynn, Massachusetts, for additional information.

Please contact the Student Navigation Center if you need help or have questions about Salem State. The Student Navigation Center can check if we received your FAFSA or if you have trouble logging into your Salem State Navigator account.

Student Emergency Fund

The Salem State University Student Emergency Fund was created through the generous donations of alumni, community members, local businesses, staff, faculty and students. Students can apply for assistance with their student account balance, rent, utilities and other expenses. Learn more and apply for assistance. 

Viking Completion Grant

The Viking Completion Grant program will annually award 50 to 75 microgrants of up to $6,500 each to the seniors with high academic merit who are most at risk for dropping out. The program will combine this financial support with ongoing coaching to encourage awardees’ successful on-time completion. Learn more about the Viking Completion Grant.