You’ve started your graduate school journey! Now comes the question almost every new graduate student asks: How am I going to pay for this?

For most students, the answer starts with one form, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filing the FAFSA for graduate school is simpler than many people expect. Once your documents are ready, it usually doesn't take long.

This guide walks you through the process in plain language. You'll learn what to gather, when to submit, and what happens after you hit "submit."

Why the FAFSA matters for graduate students

The FAFSA is your gateway to federal student aid. At Mass General Brigham University, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on credit, and students apply for it by completing the FAFSA.  

Here's some good news: As a graduate student, you're considered independent. That means you won't need your parents' financial information.

You should also know about a big change in graduate student financial aid. Beginning July 1, 2026, new graduate and professional students can no longer take out Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans. For most graduate programs, the new federal limits are $20,500 per two-semester loan period and $100,000 total, while professional programs have a $50,000 per two-semester loan period limit and a $200,000 lifetime limit.

For the full picture, visit our page on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) and federal loan changes. It includes a recording from our financial aid town hall.

The University can help you find financial aid and payment arrangements to fill any gaps. The financial aid office administers about $8 million in scholarships and $50 million in loans each year. All students accepted into entry-level programs are automatically considered for the University Scholarship, with no separate application, and recipients learn about their award in their acceptance letter. Explore more options on our scholarships page.  

What to gather before you start

A little prep work makes the FAFSA go much faster. Before you log in, gather these items:

  • Your StudentAid.gov account username and password (your FSA ID)
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your 2025 federal tax return and W-2 forms
  • Records of any untaxed income
  • Current balances of your checking and savings accounts
  • The value of any investments
  • Your spouse's information, if you're married. (Your spouse must create an FSA ID and fill out their own information on your FAFSA)
  • The University's federal school code: G22316

The Mass General Brigham University school code is G22316. Your school code stays the same under our new name.

A quick tip: Create your account at StudentAid.gov a few days before you plan to file. New accounts can take time to verify, and you can't sign the FAFSA until yours is confirmed.

When to submit your FAFSA

Timing matters, and the calendar this year is working in your favor. The 2027–28 FAFSA is already available to all students, it launched publicly October 1, 2026. Which form should you file? It depends on when your program starts. The FAFSA covers one academic year, running July 1 through June 30. At the University, summer and fall starts use the same aid year. For example, students beginning in summer or fall 2026 completed the 2026–27 FAFSA. So if you start in summer or fall 2027, you'll file the 2027–28 FAFSA.  

The federal deadline for the 2027–28 form is June 30, 2028, but the University does not have a deadline. However, filing early gives the financial aid office time to build your offer before tuition is due.  

One more thing to remember: You'll need to file a new FAFSA for every year you're enrolled. Want to see what you'll be budgeting for? Review current tuition and fees.

Filling out the FAFSA, step by step

Once you have your documents, the form itself is straightforward. Here's what to expect.

Log in and start the right form. Go to the official FAFSA application on StudentAid.gov and select the 2027–28 form. Double-check the year before you begin.

Answer the personal questions. You'll confirm your name, address, and basic background. Make sure your name matches your Social Security card exactly.

Give consent to share your tax information. The FAFSA pulls your federal tax data directly from the IRS. You must give consent for this, or you won't be eligible for federal aid.

Answer the grade-level questions carefully. This is where many students slip up. Graduate students in all programs should indicate they are completing a graduate or professional degree and answer yes to being in a master's-level program.  

If you're in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, your answers are different. Accelerated BSN students should indicate they are third or higher (junior and up) completing a second bachelor's degree, not a master's-level program.  

If you’re in the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) program, your answers depend on how many credits you are transferring over to the university. We recommend selecting third or higher (junior and up) and we can always correct it for you.  

Add the school code. Enter G22316 so your information reaches Mass General Brigham University. You can add other schools too if you're still deciding.

Sign and submit. Review everything, then sign with your FSA ID. If your spouse is a contributor, they'll need to sign as well. If you’re a dependent undergraduate student, your parent is a contributor and they’ll need to sign as well.

What happens after you submit

Congratulations — the hardest part is done! Here's what comes next.

You'll get a FAFSA Submission Summary. This arrives by email, usually within a few days. Review it carefully and fix any errors right away. It also shows your Student Aid Index (SAI), a number schools use to determine your aid eligibility if in an undergraduate program.

You might be selected for verification. This is a routine process, not a sign that you did anything wrong. The federal government randomly selects some applicants to provide documents confirming their FAFSA information, such as income or identity. Aid for students selected cannot be finalized until verification is complete, so respond promptly.  

You'll sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN). This legal document is your promise to repay your loans, plus any interest and fees, to the U.S. Department of Education. You can sign your MPN on StudentAid.gov.

You'll complete entrance counseling. Entrance counseling is required for all new borrowers at the University, and you should set aside 30 minutes or more to finish it. The financial aid office must hold your loans until it's notified you've completed counseling. Start your entrance counseling on StudentAid.gov.

You'll accept your loans. IOnline is the University's student portal, where you can view your financial aid and your bill. Students gain access after they've been accepted and paid their deposit.  

Your aid will arrive. The first disbursement for each semester begins around the first week of classes. If your aid is more than your bill, the difference is refunded to you, usually within a week of disbursement. If you do not want to overborrow, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss reducing your loans.

Simple mistakes that cause delays

Most FAFSA delays come from small, fixable errors. Watch out for these:

  • Filing the wrong year's form
  • Leaving off the school code
  • Answering the grade-level questions incorrectly
  • Skipping the consent to share tax information
  • Forgetting to sign the form
  • Missing emails from StudentAid.gov or the financial aid office
  • Waiting until just before classes start

Also keep your enrollment in mind. To borrow federal loans, graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time, which is 4.5 credits in fall and spring and 3 credits in summer. For undergraduate students, at least half-time is 6 credits.

You don't have to figure this out alone

Paying for graduate school is a big decision, and it's normal to have questions. Our financial aid team works with students every day and is ready to help you build a plan that works.

Have a question about your FAFSA or your aid offer? Contact the financial aid office at financialaid [at] mghihp.edu (financialaid[at]mghihp[dot]edu) or (617) 724-6332. You can also visit the financial aid office online for step-by-step FAFSA guidance.

Still exploring? Find the right degree program for you, or attend an upcoming info session. When you're ready, apply today.