FAFSA Guidance

Important Update

The 2025-26 FAFSA is now open, however we encourage students to wait until December 9th since the application will be experiencing heavy volume. The 2024-25 FAFSA is available and should be selected if you are applying for Spring 2025. Submit here.

Why FAFSA is Important

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is crucial because it determines your eligibility for federal financial aid and California state aid (if you are a resident), which can significantly reduce the cost of your education. Additionally, many colleges and universities, including Otis College, use the information from your FAFSA to offer their own financial aid offers.

Who is Eligible to Submit the FAFSA?

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents of the U.S.
Eligible non-citizens based on this list.

Please note: International applicants do not need to submit a financial aid application to be considered for Otis scholarships.

When to Submit the FAFSA

Submit the FAFSA Early

The U.S. Department of Education will open the 2025-26 FAFSA form to all students on or before December 1. To maximize your financial aid opportunities, aim to complete your application as soon as possible. Some funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
New students should submit the FAFSA by the application deadline so that we have the information available if you are accepted.

March 2 is the deadline to submit the FAFSA to be consider for Cal Grants.
Submit the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.

FAFSA Tips and Pointers

Gather Necessary Documents:
- Before you begin, have these documents handy:
- Your Social Security number
- Your parents' Social Security numbers (if you're a dependent student)
- Your driver’s license number (if applicable)
- Your Alien Registration Number (if you’re not a permanent resdient)
- Federal tax information or tax returns, including W-2s
- Records of untaxed income
- Information on cash, savings and checking account balances, investments, and any other assets.
Create your FSA Account: You and your parent (if you are a dependent) will need to create a FSA ID to start the FAFSA process here.
List Otis College on Your FAFSA: Be sure to include Otis College of Art and Design (school code: 001251) on your list of schools to receive your FAFSA information. This ensures that we can offer you the best financial aid package available.
Don’t Skip Any Questions: Answer every question on the FAFSA, even if it doesn't apply to you. For example, if a question asks for information about income or assets you don’t have, enter a zero.
Sign and Submit: Your FAFSA isn’t complete until you sign it. Use your FSA ID to sign electronically, which speeds up the processing. Be sure to submit it before any deadlines.
Review Your FAFSA Submission Summary: After submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive your FAFSA Submission Summary. Review it carefully to ensure all information is accurate. If corrections are needed, update your FAFSA as soon as possible.
Seek Help If Needed: If you have questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to contact the One Stop at onestop@otis.edu or 310-665-6999. You can schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor here.

California Dream Act Application for Undocumented Students and Mixed Status Families

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for 2025-26 is now open on the CSAC website.

The CADAA can be submitted by undocumented students who are California residents to apply for state financial aid. Learn more about resources for undocumented students.
Mixed status families can also submit the CAADAA as an alternative to filing the FAFSA.
If filing the CADAA, your information is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement. Read more about how CSAC protects undocumented student data.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Your Aid Offer

What should I do if I receive less financial aid than I expected?

If your aid offer is lower than anticipated, check the FAQs below to see if any apply to your situation. For further assistance, contact the One Stop at onestop@otis.edu or book an appointment online.

Will my financial aid offer be different from last year?

Your aid offer may differ due to changes in the Student Aid Index (SAI), variations in your contributor’s income from 2023, or issues related to processing self-employed individuals and small business owners.

Why did I not receive the Pell Grant like I did last year?

For 2024-25, the Department of Education has updated the calculation method for determining Pell Grant eligibility. Changes to your contributor’s income or assets may also affect your eligibility.

My sibling is also in college. Does the new FAFSA account for this?

Unfortunately, the new FAFSA does not consider siblings pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. We recommend going through our appeal process to account for this.

Is there any way to appeal for more financial aid?

Yes, under certain circumstances, newly admitted and current full-time students at Otis College may submit a request to appeal for additional financial assistance. Please contact the One Stop for more information.

Application, Mistakes, and Errors

What are some common mistakes that applicants make?

Forgetting to sign their FAFSA.
Entering or omitting their Social Security Number incorrectly.
Failing to have their contributors submit their information. FAFSA is incomplete without this step.
Incorrectly selecting “Yes” for applying for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan when their parent is willing to provide information. Select “Yes” only if the parent refuses to provide information.

Which application should I submit if I am from a mixed status family (my contributors don’t have a social security number)?

It is important to research the privacy protection of both the FAFSA and the CADAA application and know what sort of eligibility for aid you can access through each application. The FAFSA opens both federal and state aid opportunities for students. The CADAA application gives access to California state aid opportunities for California residents. Here are some online resources to explore:

What if I made a mistake on my FAFSA?

If you need to correct information on your FAFSA, you will need to submit an update on the corrections portal. Make corrections as soon as possible. We will receive updates within three business days and issue your revised financial aid offer shortly thereafter.

Paying Tuition

What are the tuition costs?

The 2024-25 cost of attendance can be found online here. The college typically will increase tuition and fees by about 3% each year.

Does the college offer payment plans?

Yes, payment plans are available to break up your balance after aid is applied. You can find more information on payment plans here.

For more answers to commonly asked questions, you can also visit the official Federal Student Aid website.