Lindenwood University is preparing for the U.S. Department of Education to make the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available in December.

The application is currently in beta testing and will be released to the public on or before December 1. In advance of the application going live, Lindenwood teams are working to prepare students and families for the upcoming release. These preparations include (system configuration, staff training, and internal system testing. "As we approach the release of the FAFSA, our priority is to ensure that every student has the resources and support they need to navigate the financial aid process. By preparing thoroughly, we aim to make a Lindenwood education more accessible and affordable for all families so students can come to LU and discover their roar," Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing Rob Westervelt said.

The University understands the important role financial aid plays in a student's enrollment and encourages all prospective and current students to complete the FAFSA following the December release. Early FAFSA completion ensures students are considered for all available funding.

In advance of the December release, students and families are encouraged to consider taking the following steps to prepare:

• Create an account on StudentAid.gov. If you created an account for a previous year, now is a good time to check your login information and make sure you have access to the account.
• Learn more about the documents needed to complete a FAFSA and start gathering them.
• Visit What is FAFSA? to learn why it's important to complete the FAFSA.

To complete the FAFSA, submissions will need to include the Lindenwood University school code: 002480. This will ensure the FAFSA is sent directly to Lindenwood following federal review.