Applying for Financial Aid

FAFSA Information

Undergraduate and graduate students applying for financial aid in the form of federal, state, and institutional funds must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information on the FAFSA is used to establish financial aid eligibility for the various financial aid programs offered at CBU. There is no separate institutional financial aid application to complete.

The FAFSA can be completed entirely online by creating a FSA ID that gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Only create an FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You are not authorized to create an FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member.

Steps for applying for financial aid

Step 1: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Complete your FAFSA on the Web (FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid)
CBU School Code of 003482

Once you have applied for admission, your next step is to apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required in order for you to be considered for assistance through federal programs (grants, work-study, student / parent loans, grad plus loans), state programs (TN Student Assistance Award, Lottery Scholarships, etc.), and various need-based scholarships.

  • You (and parent as applicable) should apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID at studentaid.gov. The FSA ID is used to login to certain federal websites to access financial aid information and to electronically sign federal student aid documents such as the FAFSA.
  • For the 2024-2025 award year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025), you can complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov in December 2023.
    • The 2024-25 FAFSA income information is based on prior-prior year (2022) income, which eliminates the need to estimate tax information.
    • On the FAFSA, enter the CBU school code of 003482 so that we get the results.
    • You (and parents / spouse as applicable) are required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) to import your 2022 IRS tax information into the FAFSA. Doing so will reduce the chance that CBU will be required to verify the accuracy of your information. 
    • The 2024-25 CBU FAFSA filing priority date is May15, 2024 to be considered for maximum financial aid assistance. However, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. 

Step 2: Monitor outstanding requirements on your Banner Web (Financial Aid tab)

  • The Department of Education notifies those selected to verify the FASFA information.  CBU will also email you to check for a list of required items and instructions.
  • Unsatisfied requirements can be viewed in the Financial Aid Requirements & Holds section of your BannerWeb account.  
  • Financial aid can’t be awarded or paid to your student account unless all requested information and documentation has been submitted and reviewed by the Financial Aid Office.

Step 3: Read and sign your CBU Terms and Conditions Agreement

Step 4: Review your award notice and accept your aid 

Your award notice will be sent by email to your CBU email address.

  • View your award in BannerWeb
  • Complete the CBU Financial Aid Terms and Conditions
  • Accept (or decline) your awards
  • Check student requirements and active messages frequently on your BannerWeb account.

Step 5: Complete requirements for any Federal Student Loans by JULY 1 

Did you accept a federal student, Parent PLUS Loan or Grad PLUS Loan? 

You must apply for your loans and complete requirements by July 1 (November 1 for Spring term) for the funds to be available when your tuition is due. 

You will need CBU’s School Code, 003482, for us to receive your application data. The process of applying for financial aid must be repeated each academic year by completing a FAFSA.

Additional Resources

Visit CBU’s Net Price Calculator Create a FSA ID Apply for FAFSA Apply for Financial Aid: Step-by-Step

Adding CBU to an Earlier FAFSA

If you have already filled out a FAFSA form and would like to add CBU to it, you may do so online using your FSA ID. CBU’s code is 003482.

FAFSA Questions & Help

You can get information from the FAFSA Help Center for free by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Information specialists at this number can:

  • help you complete the FAFSA (either electronic or paper).
  • answer your questions about the FSA ID.
  • help you make corrections to your Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • explain federal student aid eligibility requirements and other aspects of student aid.
  • explain the process of determining financial need and awarding aid.
  • have your application information sent to a specific school.
  • send federal student aid publications to you.

Financial Aid Offer Notification

Once you are accepted into Christian Brothers University, the Office of Financial Aid will determine your offer and send you a financial aid offer notification packet.

  • You should review your offers carefully. Your offers are based on the information reported on your FAFSA and full time enrollment in a degree seeking or MLIC certification program.
  • You may decline all or portions of your offers by striking through those you do not wish to receive.

The financial aid packet students receive is based on estimated budgets for the year. Estimated costs for full-time students can be found on our Net Price Calculator. Important dates for the academic year can be found on the Registrar’s Office Academic Calendar page.

Full-time status is outlined here:

Fall SemesterSpring Semester
Undergraduate1212
Graduate99

Important note: Institutional offers are NOT available if you enroll in less than full time.

  • Undergraduate William D. Ford Direct Loans are not available if you enroll in less than 6 hours per semester.
  • Graduate William D. Ford Direct Loans are not available if you enroll in less than 5 hours per semester.
  • Pell Grants and/or the Tennessee Student Assistance Awards are prorated based on the hours you are enrolled in if less than full time.

Financial Aid Fact Sheets

We get it – paying for college can be confusing. Prospective and current students as well as their families should contact the Office of Financial Aid with questions, issues and concerns at finaid@cbu.edu. We’re here to help!

Understanding Your CBU Offer Letter (PDF) Graduate Program Fact Sheet (PDF) Satisfactory Progress for Title IV (PDF)

Disclaimer: Information contained on this site is subject to change based on the latest state and federal guidelines. Students and families may always obtain the latest information by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@cbu.edu.