Financial Step-by-Step Guide for New Students
How much is school going to cost? Study our Cost of Attendance so you know what to expect!
Then follow our step-by-step guide for Financial Aid success! Maximize your potential by applying for every Financial Aid opportunity!
Step-by-Step Guide
How Do I Apply for FAFSA?
What Scholarships Are Available to Me?
What Are the Best Kept Financial Aid Secrets?
How Can I Plan Ahead?
Consider Loans Carefully
Where Can I Get More Help?
Step 1: How Do I Apply for FAFSA?
All financial aid opportunities “Start with the FAFSA”
Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) here.
- Access low interest Direct Student Loans – subsidized and unsubsidized
- Qualify for Pell Grants (free money for college)
- The FAFSA is used for many scholarship applications, including the BYU-Idaho Scholarship
Apply now to see what you qualify for!
Some of our students are chosen for Verification
- A process to confirm the information on the FAFSA is correct
- Check your financial aid portal for any documents and submit them quickly
Once your FAFSA has been processed you will receive aid offers in your financial aid portal.
- This tutorial will help you understand your portal
Step 2: What Scholarships Are Available to Me?
BYU-Idaho offers thousands of scholarships for incoming and current students. Explore these scholarship opportunities:
- 4-Year Merit Scholarship (automatic qualification)
- Academic Scholarship (BYU-Idaho or Transfer grades)
- BYU-Idaho Scholarship (need-based)
- Talent Scholarships (Art, Dance, Journalism, Music , Theater)
- Returned Missionary Scholarship
- Search for private scholarships,
Step 3: What Are the Best Kept Financial Aid Secrets?
Most students don’t learn these secrets until they have a problem with classes not receiving aid, or they have dropped a class and have an aid return! Learn these three secrets to help you keep your aid!
- Know how dropping classes affects aid – you could owe money back!
- Understand FADD and know important Dates and Deadlines
- Use the Program Applicability Tool to see if your classes are eligible for aid
- Academic Advising decides if your courses apply to your major
- Maintain SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)
- 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Complete 67% of the classes you attempt
Step 4: How Can I Plan Ahead?
Financial aid awards may not be enough to cover the Cost of Attendance. Because everyone’s financial aid journey is different, you need to make a plan!
- Save money before starting college
- Make and stick to a budget
- Look for on-campus and local jobs
- Know important dates and deadlines
Step 5: Consider Loans Carefully
Some students might find their job earnings, Pell Grant, and scholarships don’t cover all school costs. Student Loans can help fill the gap if used wisely.
- Accept loans only if necessary in your Financial Aid Portal
- Complete required Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note
Step 6: How Do I Get My Money?
Aid is added directly to your student account the first week of the semester
- Tuition, fees, and on-campus housing is paid first
- You canauthorize the school to pay for other charges on your account
Sign up for eRefund for direct deposit refunds to your bank account
- It can take a few days for funds to get to your bank account
You can learn more by watching the tutorial, "How do I know if my aid has been disbursed?"
**Remember: If you change your classes, your aid will change too!
Step 7: Where Can I Get More Help?
Here are the quickest ways to get help from Financial Aid Specialists:
- Kimball 196 for in-person help
- Use the conversation bubble on this page and ask to speak to a human
- Email financialaid@byui.edu