Financial Aid Application Process

Everyone who wants financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


Apply for Admission

Visit our Admissions page for more information on the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University application process. You must be accepted before the University can make a financial aid offer to you.


Create Your FSA ID

The FSA ID must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites including the FAFSA. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign the FAFSA. You can visit the studentaid.gov website to create your FSA ID. 

All contributors will also need to have a FSA ID. A contributor is anyone who is asked to provide information on an applicant’s FAFSA including the student, the student's spouse (if applicable), a biological or adoptive parent; or the spouse of a remarried parent who is on the FAFSA--the stepparent.

The new FAFSA is student driven, so that means the student's answers on their section will determine who will be a contributor (in addition to the student). Students will need the contributor’s name, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), and email address to invite them to complete the required portion of the FAFSA. Contributors will need to provide personal and financial information on their section of the FAFSA, and are required to have an FSA ID and to provide consent to have their Federal Tax Information (FTI) transferred from the IRS, have their tax data used to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid, and allow the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to share their tax information with institutions and state higher education agencies for the administration of Title IV aid. Consent is provided once for the award year and cannot be revoked in that award year. This consent is necessary even if the contributor does not have an SSN, did not file taxes, or filed taxes in another country.


Submit the FAFSA

The financial aid process begins with the completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It can be electronically filed for free on the FAFSA website. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional awards such as loans, grants and work-study. Some forms of financial aid are extremely limited. These need-based funds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. KCAD uses the school code 002260 for Ferris State University. The FAFSA opens up on October 1st of the preceding year.


Complete Any Outstanding Requirements

Some students who complete a FAFSA will be selected for a routine audit process called "verification" where the financial aid office at Ferris/KCAD will be required to collect additional information from you. If verification is required, additional information will be requested from Ferris State University.


Accept Award Offer

For the most up to date information about your financial aid awards, check online! Ferris360 log-in information is provided in your admissions acceptance package. Don’t forget to check your Ferris email for important financial aid messages. "Real Time" financial aid information is listed under the Financial Aid and Scholarships tool; Missing Financial Aid Requirements or the Financial Aid Award Offer links. Aid packages are typically awarded in February for new students, and in late May for continuing students.


Complete Loan Requirements (For First Time Borrowers)

If you accept federal student loans as part of your financial aid package, there are electronic processes that you will need to complete. You may complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note by logging into Federal Student Aid website. Sign in using your FSA ID.


Identify Expenses and Apply for Parent PLUS or Alternative Loans (If Applicable)

Review your financial aid award notice and identify the amount of estimated “out of pocket” expense that is not covered by your financial aid award. This is the amount that you and your family will be expected to pay, earn or borrow. If you determine that you will need additional loans to help you and your family pay out of pocket expenses, then we recommend that you visit our Loan Programs page.


Stay on Top of Current Tuition Rates

In July, tuition rates are announced for the upcoming academic year. Tuition bills are emailed to the student's Ferris email address around the third week of July for fall semester, around the third week of November for spring semester, and around the third week of April for the summer semester.


Communication

The primary method of communication from the Financial Aid Office will be via Ferris student email. Students are encouraged to make a habit of checking their Ferris email accounts on a regular basis to avoid missing important information and deadlines. Because of FERPA privacy restrictions, we seldom initiate contact with parents of dependent students.