Apply for Financial Aid

You’ve taken the first step toward pursuing your college degree by applying to Thomas Edison State University (TESU). We understand that it may seem daunting to figure out how to pay for your degree. That’s why we offer one-on-one support to help guide you through the financial aid application process. Follow our guided steps and start your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) today.

Step 1. Set up your FSA ID

To apply for financial aid, your first step is to set up your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. You will use this account to not only complete your FAFSA, but also to keep track of your federal student aid throughout your college experience and beyond. It will become your go-to resource for all things federal aid, even after you graduate.

If you already have an FSA ID, continue to the next step.

Create Your FSA ID

Step 2. Complete the FAFSA

You will apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a nationwide application process and is completely free to complete. Students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be admitted to or enrolled in a degree program at Thomas Edison State University.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Not be in default on a federal loan or owe a refund on a federal grant at any institution.
• Be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.
• Provide all requested documentation.

You will need to be fully admitted before you are awarded a financial aid package. Be sure to enter our school code (011648) so that we receive your FAFSA information and can determine your aid package. The deadline to submit your FAFSA depends on your intended start term at TESU — see our dates and deadlines below for more information. Once you start the FAFSA, you can come back to it as many times as you need to update your information. The important thing is to get started as soon as possible.

Complete the FAFSA

Step 3. Review your Student Aid Report

Once TESU receives your FAFSA information, our financial aid team will use your data to determine the type and amount of aid you're eligible for. In some cases, we may determine that more information is needed to fully assess your case. Any additional requirements and your next steps will be delivered to you through a Student Aid Report.

Your Student Aid Report will arrive via mail or email a few weeks after you submit your FAFSA. This is your official notification that your FAFSA has been fully processed and will outline additional documents TESU needs, if applicable.

Step 4. Receive your award summary from TESU

After supplying any remaining documents or information, TESU will finalize your package and deliver your award summary. This summary will explain all the aid options available to you at TESU, including any federal student loans, grants or scholarships. You will need to be fully admitted at TESU before you receive your financial aid package.

Step 5. Accept your award offer

Your final step is to accept your award offer from TESU. You will have the option to accept or decline certain types of aid, and in some cases specify the award amount you wish to accept. Our financial aid officers are here to help you understand your aid package and secure the resources you need to continue your education at TESU.

Whatever decisions you make, you will accept your award offer through your myEdison Experience account.

Log in to myEdison Experience

Accepting Federal Aid

If you're a first-time borrower of federal student loans, you will need to complete loan entrance counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to your aid being disbursed. You will complete both tasks through your Federal Student Aid account using your FSA ID.

Log in to your FSA account

Dates and Deadlines

Students taking courses in the terms July 2024-June 2025 should file the 2024-2025 FAFSA, and students taking courses in the terms July 2025-June 2026 should file the 2025-2026 FAFSA. If you plan on taking courses in both years, a FAFSA must be completed for both years. Some New Jersey state grant programs adhere to specific filing deadlines. For further information on those deadlines, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Students who wish to be awarded Financial Aid for an upcoming term should have all required documentation on file two weeks before the start of the term.

Have Questions?

Our financial aid team is here to help.

Contact our Financial Aid One Stop Office at 609-777-5680, Option 3, or send us an email to receive one-on-one guidance about applying for financial aid at TESU.