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The Aid Process

To apply for financial aid, you’ll need to file your FAFSA once per academic year. An academic year is defined as July 1-June 30.

Important Dates

  • Oct. 1: FAFSA opens.
  • April 1: Deadline to submit your FAFSA.
  • May 1: Deadline for PHEAA State Grant.

Students may file after deadlines. However, students filing after the published deadline will jeopardize their opportunity to receive certain grants, loans and work-study funds.

How to File Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • Create Your FSA ID. If you are a dependent student, one of your parents must also request an FSA ID. Print and save your FSA IDs in a safe place because you will need them for other applications and for every year that you apply for financial aid.
  • Complete the FAFSA form. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your tax information and your parents’ tax information to your FAFSA. La Roche’s school code: 003987.
  • Sign your FAFSA using your FSA ID and your parents' FSA ID as electronic signatures.
  • Keep a copy of your completed FAFSA. Print a copy with your confirmation number and keep for your records.

Verification

After you file your FAFSA, La Roche will receive the results. The results may indicate that you have been selected for a process called verification.

If you are selected, the Financial Aid Office will send you a request for additional documentation which may include items such as:

  • An IRS tax transcript for you and your parents, which can be printed for your parents and yourself at www.irs.gov.
  • IRS Verification of non-tax-filing status.
  • Copies of your W-2 forms.
  • Copies of your parents' W-2 forms.
  • The following forms (available as downloads on our site): A Dependent Verification form, an Independent Verification form and/or Verification of certain untaxed income.

All requested documentation must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office within 10 days of receiving the request to ensure timely processing of financial aid. Failure to provide the documents will postpone the awarding of the student’s financial aid.

Please note: We understand that it might take longer to submit the requested items if you need to request something from the IRS.

Financial Aid counselors will review the information and make any necessary changes electronically to the FAFSA. These changes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Adjusted gross income
  • Income taxes paid
  • Untaxed income
  • Household size
  • The number of family members enrolled in college

Once the verification process is complete, the Financial Aid Office will issue an Award Letter which details your eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid.

Financial Need

Every school has a Cost of Attendance that includes direct and indirect costs.

  • Direct costs are the charges that La Roche will bill students for each semester that the student is enrolled. Direct costs are tuition, fees, and housing and meals, if the student is residing in a residence hall.
  • Indirect costs are not billed by La Roche but are expenses that the student will incur. Indirect costs include books and supplies, transportation costs, personal expenses and a living allowance, if the student is commuting from home or living off campus.

Please note: Dependent students who move off campus must provide the Financial Aid Office with a signed copy of their lease. 

We’re Here to Help

Reach out to us if you need help navigating the aid process. We’re here to assist students in applying for both need-based and non-need-based assistance. Please call 412-536-1125 or email finaid@laroche.edu.

Additional Resources