The tabs below provide helpful information about how to apply for financial aid, how to access and manage your award, and how to apply for Summer semester financial aid.  

How to Apply

How to Apply

Follow the steps below to apply for financial aid at Ball State.

Step 1
Locate your Federal Student Aid ID or obtain one from the U.S. Department of Education

You will need to create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) at StudentAid.gov to use financial aid websites managed by the U.S. Department of Education. You will need a username and password to confirm your identity when accessing your personal financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.

Also, if you are required to report your parent on the FAFSA they too should obtain an FSA ID.

Step 2
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.  The FAFSA must be received by the federal processor on or before April 15 for students to receive priority consideration for all grants and loans including the Ball State Grant.

Step 3
Receive your FAFSA Submission Summary

If you provided an email address on the FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary.  Carefully review your FAFSA Submission Summary and make any necessary corrections.

Step 4
Respond immediately to any additional information requests from our office or the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE)

Carefully review all special messages online and complete any outstanding requirements that are indicated.

Step 5
Receive an award notification email from Ball State

Carefully review all special messages online at MyBSU, and complete any outstanding requirements that are indicated.  Students who have received an award notice may want to review the guide "Understanding Your Award Notice".  This helpful guide is prepared by our office to provide further detail about the information in each section of the award notice.

Step 6
Receive an award notification from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (if you are an Indiana resident)

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education will send an email to inform if you will receive a state award.

Make sure Ball State is listed as your school choice. If not, make the correction of your college choice.

Step 7
Accept your loan offer

If you are borrowing a Federal Direct Loan, accept the loan in Self-Service Banner (SSB).

First-time borrowers in the Federal Direct Loan Program must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov.

  1. Open a browser window.
  2. Navigate to MyBSU.
  3. You should arrive at a Secure Access Login page. Enter your Ball State username and password.
  4. You will open a welcome page after you log in. If you are unable to log in because you do not know your username or password or you need assistance, please contact the HelpDesk at 765-285-1517.
  5. Select the “SSB – Self Service Banner” link. This will take you into a secure site that will allow you to access your information.
  6. You should see in large letters “Welcome.” Below that you will see menus for “Personal Information” and “Student and Financial Aid.” You might have other options as well.
  7. Select the “Financial Aid” menu.

  1. From the “Financial Aid” menu, select the option labeled “Award.”
  2. A submenu will display. Select the link for “Award for Aid Year.”
  3. If you have not selected an aid year yet for this web session, you will be asked to choose an aid year.
  4. If you have not yet accepted the “Terms and Conditions for Financial Aid,” you will need to do that. This can be accomplished by selecting the “Terms and Conditions” tab across the top of the screen. Review the “Terms and Conditions,” and if you agree, click “Accept.”
  5. Once you have accepted “Terms and Conditions,” you can review your award on the “Accept Award Offer” tab.
  6. If you still have outstanding requirements that affect your eligibility for aid (such as tax transcripts, verification documents, etc.), your award will be “estimated” and you will not be able to accept the aid at this time, but you can review your tentative award.
  7. If your documents have all been submitted and reviewed, your award will be presented to you with the option to “Accept,” “Accept Partial Amounts,” or “Decline.” Some awards, such as scholarships and grants, are automatically accepted for you.

  1. From the “Financial Aid” menu, select the option labeled “Eligibility.”
  2. The page that is displayed will show you any “Satisfied” and “Unsatisfied Requirements.” For each “Unsatisfied Requirement,” each item is a link that you can click on to either download the necessary form or be taken to the page that will help you satisfy that requirement. Verification requirements also apply to the Fees Assistance Grant and the Ball State Grant. Ball State’s deadline for completing verification to receive campus-based aid is Oct. 1. Failure to respond to requests for verification or additional information requests will jeopardize your current and future receipt of financial assistance.

Financial aid for Summer courses is available for many students, although this may only be in the form of loans. Most grant and scholarship money is exhausted in the Fall and Spring semesters.
You must be enrolled at least half-time for Summer classes before the type and amount of aid you are eligible to receive can be determined.

Learn more about applying for Summer financial aid.