The Department of Education has made significant changes to the FAFSA and eligibility criteria. The form and questions are now different, which means that families who were not eligible before may now qualify.

The maximum Pell Grant for the 2024-25 academic year is $7,395. The maximum for 2025-26 has not yet been determined.

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STEP 1 - Create FSA ID

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Before starting your online FAFSA application, both the student and the parent(s) must have their own Student Aid.gov Account (previously known as the FSA ID) linked to their personal email address.​ To create an FSA ID, go to: Create FSA ID.

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Important Student Aid ID Notes:

• Both the student and parent must have access to their email to verify their identity for the FSA ID.

• This FSA ID will be permanent, so make sure you are using a permanent email address.

• If the student or parent already has an FSA ID, they should use the one they already have.

• The Student Aid.gov Account(s) will be verified with the Social Security Administration. This may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 business days. Please wait for your account verification before starting the FAFSA.

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STEP 2 - Complete the FAFSA Form

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To apply for financial aid (Pell Grant), you must complete the FAFSA form. New York State residents, scroll down to read about TAP before starting!

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It is very important that all information on your FAFSA is completed carefully and accurately. Much of your information may need to be verified.

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Important FAFSA Notes:

• Our school code for Pell is 011208.

• If your parents filed a joint 2023 US tax return, you will not have to enter your income information. FAFSA will import it directly from your IRS files. If you have not yet filed your 2023 Tax Return, please contact us.​

• Student’s Address: Use your permanent home address. If you live outside of New York or in a foreign country, do not use your temporary address (e.g., an apartment in Crown Heights).

• Name of High School: Must match the name exactly as it appears on your diploma.

• Assets (Parent/Student): Report cash, checking or savings accounts, and the current value of investments.

• Student’s College or Career School Plans:

  • Select "first year," "second year," or "other undergraduate" (DHL does not offer a Master’s program).

  • Most DHL applicants do not have a Bachelor’s degree.

  • DHL does not offer teaching certification as mentioned in the FAFSA questions, so the answer should be “No.”

• Federal Benefits: Check off any Federal Benefits you currently receive.​

 

After submission:

After submitting all parts of the FAFSA (for both student and parent), you will receive an email that says: "You may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant of up to $____." Please note that this amount is an estimate. The Department of Education places the responsibility on the institution to verify and document the information provided. Funds are disbursed only after both the financial and academic files are complete.

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Need Help?

If you need technical assistance with the FAFSA online application, including FSA ID setup or retrieval, you can contact FAFSA's customer service. They provide valuable support to help you navigate the process. Reach FAFSA at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-243).​​