Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

The Salisbury University Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships has paired with Ellucian, a highly respected education technology company, to upgrade how students submit documents to our office. We have implemented the NEW Financial Aid Student Forms Portal (FASFP) for the 2025-2026 academic year. With a mobile-friendly format, interactive format, and secure document downloading/uploading, completing and submitting forms and documents to our office has never been easier!

We’re excited that our students will be able to:

• Complete financial aid forms on their phone, tablet, or computer.
• Securely upload documents from any device.
• E-sign most documents—both you and your parents!
• Manage almost all financial aid tasks online
• Receive automated reminders about outstanding tasks and next steps

All students who have been offered any form of aid/financial assistance will be sent an email, and have a GullNet “To Do List” item assigned, instructing them how to create an account for the FASFP. This is a “one time” account creation and they will use their SU credentials to access the FASFP. The portal will not only be for federal and university financial aid verification documents, but it will also have additional forms such as the enrollment change form (for students who are not enrolling full time), financial aid appeal forms, loan reduction requests, scholarship reinstatement requests, and more.

Students can create their account and access the Financial Aid Student Forms Portal.

Recent workforce reductions at Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the U.S. Department of Education have affected several divisions. However, Salisbury University does not expect these changes to significantly impact the availability or delivery of federal student assistance, such as Pell Grants and student loans. While occasional temporary delays may occur as the Department of Education adjusts its operations, we anticipate that they will prioritize ensuring that eligible funding continues to reach students without major disruptions. Should any challenges arise, Salisbury University is committed to minimizing the impact on our students and providing the necessary support. We will continue to closely monitor developments and remain prepared to navigate any changes. Please be assured that we are here to assist you with any concerns regarding your financial aid.

The 25/26 FAFSA is open and can be completed at the FAFSA Website for the 2025/2026 academic year. You can file the 2025/2026 FAFSA through June 30, 2026.

If you are interested in learning more about summer financial aid and eligibility, please visit our Summer Session Financial Aid Webpage. Summer 2025 information will be available on March 24, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Education has officially opened the 2025-2026 Parent PLUS loan application.

A parent PLUS loan applicant should keep the following in mind:

1. The parent completing the application has to either be the biological/adoptive/step parent who is included on the student’s FAFSA OR the biological/adoptive parent who is not listed on the FAFSA.
   Other family members, and step-parent’s who are not on the FAFSA, are not eligible to apply.
2. The parent PLUS loan is in the name of the parent applicant only, and will remain so until the loan is paid in full.
3. You are NOT required to apply for the amount listed in the student’s financial aid offer. As you and the student review estimated costs, other sources of financial aid, and self-pay/payment plan options, you may find that a significantly lower amount will “fill the gap”.
4. If you are applying for a loan to cover the school year (Fall and Spring), make sure to double your requested loan amount if you used semester costs/aid to determine the amount you need and select the loan period of August 2025 - May 2026.
5. You should also account for the fact that the U.S. Department of Education will deduct 4.228% from your requested amount for their “loan origination fees”. So, for every $1,000 you request, SU will receive payment of approximately $957.
6. If you do not specify an amount on the PLUS loan application, our office will process the loan for the “offer” amount.
7. If approved, you must complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) if this is the first time you have received a PLUS loan for your student.
8. Fall 2025 bills will be issued, via student email, on July 17, 2025. If you decide to wait until the bill is issued before applying for the PLUS loan, we highly recommendthat you complete the application by July 31st to avoid a late fee.
9. If you decide, after completing the PLUS loan application, that you need to increase/decrease the amount of your PLUS loan, please contact our office and we will guide you through the next steps.

Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions.

MHEC has set the Maryland financial aid deadline to submit the 2025-26 FAFSA for March 1st, 2025 . Students are encouraged to file the 25-26 FAFSA now and not miss their filing deadline! MHEC anticipates the first round of awards for the Guaranteed Access Grant program will not be made until late May 2025. If you submit your FAFSA on or before May 1st, MHEC will automatically consider you for the Guaranteed Access Grant program. For a complete listing of all Maryland State Financial Aid programs visit their website State Financial Assistance Programs & Applications

As soon as you complete and submit your FAFSA, make sure to create a Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) Account. This is a critical part of the financial aid process. Please make sure when you sign up that you use an email that you use all the time, because the email you put in as your MDCAPS account is the email we will use to notify you about any scholarships or grants you may be eligible to receive!

MHEC has the new One-App to help streamline the process when applying for certain State scholarships and grants that require a separate application. The new One-App allows students easier access to financial aid information. To get started, students log into MDCAPS. The One-App is also for undocumented students who are eligible for in-state tuition but are unable to complete the FAFSA (replaces the previous application called MSFAA). For the most update to date information from MHEC please visit their website Maryland Higher Education Commission

SU has numerous scholarship opportunities for students of all interests and backgrounds, including academic merit scholarships, need-based scholarships, and scholarships for specific majors and career paths. On December 1st, the SU Scholarship Website opens for all current and admitted students who have submitted the FAFSA. SU Scholarship Website

It all starts with the FAFSA! Filling out the FAFSA each year gives you access to federal grants, scholarships, loans and other ways to afford your education. Make sure to add SU’s school code: 002091.

It’s best to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for priority aid. The FAFSA is available starting October 1 and should be submitted by March 1 for priority funding. However, some funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Yes, you must fill out the FAFSA every year to apply for aid.

Scholarship funding for students who fail to meet the minimum requirements will be terminated with the exception of first-semester students. First-semester students who have achieved a minimum 2.0 GPA at the conclusion of their first semester will be permitted to receive their scholarship funding for one additional semester, after which they must meet the minimum requirements for continued scholarship eligibility. Contact the Financial Aid Office for individual questions.