Financial Aid Application Process

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Financial Aid

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but Delta State is committed to making sure your education is both personal and affordable. Grants and loans are valuable financial aid resources that can help you and your family manage the cost of your degree. Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid, while loans are also federally awarded and must be repaid with interest—though typically at low rates and not until after graduation. Graduate students and parents may also be eligible to apply for PLUS Loans. Our Financial Aid team is here to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have along the way.

FAFSA School Code

002403

Financial Aid Deadlines to Keep in Mind

October 1

Mississippi State Aid Application (MAAPP) available online

December 1

Free Application for Federal Student Aid available online

July 1

Preferred fall deadline to avoid class cancellation

1. Create Your FSA ID

Step one in the financial aid process is creating your FSA ID—a secure username and password used to identify yourself electronically. Your FSA ID allows you to access Federal Student Aid websites, complete the FAFSA, check the status of your application, and manage your financial aid throughout your college career. Both students and parents (if applicable) will need their own FSA IDs.

Create Your FSA ID

2. Fill Out Your FAFSA Form

Step two is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—the form used by the federal government, as well as many colleges like Delta State, to determine your financial need and eligibility for aid. Filing the FAFSA ensures you’re considered for all available funding opportunities, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. It’s an important step, even if you’re unsure whether you’ll qualify for aid. Before you get started, take a look at the list of documents you’ll want to gather to make the process smoother.

  • Social Security Number of Alien Registration Number
  • Driver’s License
  • Tax returns or W-2s
  • Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
  • Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
Start Your FAFSA

3. Provide Supplemental Materials

After your FAFSA has been processed, you may be asked to submit additional documents to complete your financial aid file. These forms help us verify your information and ensure you’re considered for every aid opportunity available. Use the button below to access and submit the materials you may need.

Check Unmet Requirement StatusAccess Financial Aid Forms

4. Manage Your Financial Award

Once Delta State’s Financial Aid Office receives your FAFSA, it’s important to log in regularly to DSU Online Services using your DSU ID and PIN to check your financial aid status. Your account will show if you have any unmet requirements or if additional steps—like FAFSA verification—are needed. Completing all outstanding items ensures you remain eligible for the full range of financial aid available to you.

Review Award

Once your FAFSA and any required supplemental materials are processed, you can review your financial aid award by logging into your myDSU portal and selecting “Financial Aid.” “Award Offer” in the banner menu. Please note that over awards can occur if your aid package exceeds your financial need or cost of attendance. Be sure to report any additional financial aid not listed in your award to avoid delays or required repayments.

Accept Award

To receive your financial aid, you must log into your myDSU portal, go to “Financial Aid” in the banner menu, select the correct aid year, and answer the required questions. After waiting 48 hours for your responses to be recorded, return to the “Award Offer” section to accept, decline, or adjust your award amounts.

Maintain Award

To keep your financial aid active each academic year, you’ll need to complete a few important steps: file the FAFSA for that year, sign the Master Promissory Note, and complete Loan Entrance Counseling. Staying on top of these tasks ensures your aid is processed on time and that you fully understand the responsibilities that come with accepting federal student loans.

Log In to myDSULog In to StudentAid.Gov

Mississippi Resident? Apply for State Aid

Mississippi residents may be eligible for additional financial aid through state-funded programs, including grants, scholarships, and loans. Standout opportunities include the HELP Grant, Nissan Scholarship, MTAG, and MSEG—each designed to make college more affordable for Mississippi students. To be considered for these and other programs, complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP); you’ll want to gather a few key documents before you get started.

  • Mississippi driver’s license number
  • Mississippi tax return (current year)
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Motor vehicle registration in Mississippi
  • Proof of voter registration in Mississippi
View State Funding OpportunitiesFill Out the MAAPP

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Student Name, Student MajorClass of 20XX

Explore More Funding Opportunities

Looking for more ways to fund your education? Delta State offers a variety of grants, loans, and federal work-study opportunities through the FAFSA, as well as institutional scholarships available by completing the Delta State scholarship application.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of Financial Aid is here to support you every step of the way, but many of your questions may already be answered in our list of Frequently Asked Questions. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for quick, helpful information about the application process.

Get Started Now