Q: Do I need to complete a FAFSA every year?A: Yes. If you wish to receive financial aid every year, you must complete a FAFSA for that year. The FAFSA for 2025-26 and 2026-27 are both available now. There is no set deadline for completion,
but a delayed FAFSA application can delay aid packaging, which could result in a late
fee.
Q: My parents support me, do I still have to include their information on the FAFSA?
A: No, as a graduate student you are considered an independent student. The FAFSA will
give you an option to add your parents' information, but their information is not
required and will not be considered when awarding aid.
Q: My program starts in the spring or summer. What FAFSA do I complete?
A: The full academic year for FAFSA is fall/spring/summer. So students starting in spring
or summer of 2026 would complete the 2025-26 FAFSA to receive aid for those terms,
and the 2026-27 FAFSA to receive aid for the fall/spring/summer of the subsequent
year.
Q: I am planning to take summer classes but my current aid package does not include
aid for summer?
A: Summer attendance is not assumed for students at the Orange campus. Aid for summer
can be added to your aid package once you have registered for summer courses. You
will need to submit the Summer Aid Request eForm on your Student Center. Please be
advised you must be enrolled in at least 4.5 units Grad or 6 units in Law to receive
federal funding. Students at the Rinker campus in Irvine are on a trimester schedule,
with summer included.
Q: Where does interterm factor into my aid package?
A: Interterm is considered part of the spring semester, and any funding for interterm
would disburse about 10 days before the spring semester begins.
Q: I accepted less than the full amount offered, and I need more funds. What do I
do?
A: You can email the Graduate Financial Aid Office atgradfinaid@chapman.edu to request an additional disbursement. Please send all requests via Panther Mail
and be sure to include your Student ID.
