Incoming Students
To receive financial aid at Purdue, you’ll need to complete a few important tasks in the months leading up to the start of your first semester. Note: The 2026-27 FAFSA is open!
These steps are typical for a new student beginning in the fall semester. However, if you are beginning in the summer or waiting until the spring semester, the aid application and dates remain the same. Contact our office with any questions.
Use this list as a reminder of the steps you’ll need to check off in order to complete the financial aid process. More detailed instructions of the financial aid process can be found on our How To Apply for Aid page.
October
Submit your FAFSA
The 2026-27 FAFSA is open. Submit by Purdue’s priority date of April 15 to receive priority consideration for federal, state of Indiana (residents only) and university-based financial aid.
November
Prospective First-Year Scholarships
For maximum scholarship consideration, your admission application and all required supporting materials must be received or postmarked by Nov. 1.
All freshman students who meet this deadline will automatically be considered for university-wide merit scholarships (no additional action necessary).
December
Maximize scholarship eligibility
Students are encouraged to complete the Purdue Departmental Scholarship Application after it opens and before the priority deadline of Dec. 15, to be considered for departmental scholarships.
New incoming students can log in to Scholarship Universe by selecting the “Admissions Application Portal Login” option. You will be prompted to enter the username and password you created when applying through the Admissions Application Portal
Some colleges at Purdue use a departmental scholarship application to collect information not found on the admission application. This information is used to award academic scholarships in these specific colleges.
After your admissions application is submitted by Nov. 1, to maximize consideration for scholarships awarded by these academic departments, high school seniors should complete the following items:
Even though Purdue’s priority FAFSA date is April 15, we encourage students to submit a 2026-27 FAFSA by Dec. 15, as departments begin awarding need-based scholarships as early as January.
Search for private scholarships
Utilize free outside sources such as Scholarship Universe, www.finaid.org and www.fastweb.com.
January-February
Verify information upon request
If you are notified to submit any requested verification information, follow the instructions and link provided in your myPurdue portal under the Financial Aid card, then Financial Aid Requirements.
March–April
Submit a FAFSA by April 15 to be considered for maximum aid
- Indiana residents must submit a FAFSA by April 15 annually to gain eligibility for state-based financial aid.
Review Financial Aid Notification
In mid-March, our office will begin releasing 2026-27 financial aid notifications to first-year students (via their myPurdue portal) who have filed a FAFSA, created their career account and submitted all requested documentation.
Ask questions
- Contact the Division of Financial Aid with any questions and be sure to accept your offer of admission by May 1 for 2026-27.
- No action is required to accept most scholarships or grants. Additional steps are necessary to accept or decline offered loans and/or Federal Work-Study.
Report any requested information as part of the verification process on myPurdue.
May
Finalize loans and private scholarship changes
- If you plan to borrow federal loans, begin that process.
- Report private scholarships on myPurdue.
June-July
Academic advising and registration
Complete academic advising and registration process. At this time, you’ll learn how financial aid applies to the University billing process.