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Higher Education.
For Adults with Higher Expectations.

Financial Aid Handbook - Process Checklist

  • Complete the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may access it online at www.studentaid.gov or use the 2026-2027 Renewal Application. Make sure you list the Thomas Edison State University School Code (011648) on your application.
  • You should receive a FAFSA submission summary in the mail or online from the U.S. Department of Education. This indicates that your FAFSA has been processed.
  • Respond to any requests made by the University for additional documents. Your FAFSA submission summary will list any other paperwork the University may need (such as signed copies of federal income tax transcript, copy of Social Security card, etc.).
  • Once your application is processed, the University will send you an award notification. You will be directed to myEdison to accept the awards you prefer. Once your choices are confirmed, your account will be coded, and you may begin the registration process after 24 hours. See next paragraph regarding direct loans if using them to pay for tuition.
  • If you are applying for a federal student loan, the University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program. You will need to submit a Master Promissory Note (MPN) to the U.S. Department of Education. Please note that you must be at least a halftime student per term to be eligible for student loans. Half-time is considered 6 credits of online or Guided Study courses per term for undergraduate and 3 credits for graduate. Failure to register for the required minimum number of credits may result in a reversal of aid and a balance due.
  • First-time Direct Loan borrowers with Thomas Edison State University must complete online entrance counseling at www.studentaid.gov. You will be able to register if accepting loans 24 to 48 hours after you have completed your MPN and Entrance Counseling.
  • If you have a credit balance after your financial aid has been disbursed, you will receive a voucher check (sometimes referred to as a “refund”) with the credit balance approximately 45 days after the start of the semester. The credit balance will be refunded within 14 days of the disbursement date, in accordance with the Department of Education regulations.
  • The University has implemented direct deposit for students' financial aid (FA) refunds. The new option will eliminate the chance that your financial aid refund checks will get lost, delayed, or misplaced. There are no fees to use the direct deposit feature. You can set this up by logging into myEdison and going to Student Self-Service. Once in Student Self-Service, select the Banking Information link and add an account. You can enter your banking information from there. If you are due an FA refund, the cutoff is 11 a.m. on Mondays to have your check auto deposited to your bank account that week. Even if you are not due a refund that week, it's advisable to enter your banking information as soon as possible to allow time for verification of your bank routing and account numbers.
  • If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (609) 777-5680, via email at finaid@tesu.edu or visit the University website.
    • Please note that if you have also received aid at another school during the 2025-2026 award year, you must stay within your annual award limits. Failure to do so may result in a hold placed on your account. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
  • Scholarship Programs Available for Undergraduate and Graduate Students: Scholarship programs have been established at Thomas Edison State University to assist students with the financial costs of obtaining their education. These programs are available to applicant and enrolled students. Students can learn more about individual scholarship programs, eligibility criteria, access an online scholarship application and learn application deadlines and award dates by visiting the University website.

Please note

If you enroll for online or Guided Study courses, you will be placed in an attendance pattern where the terms awarded will be three months apart (i.e., July/October/January/April). Also, you need to be enrolled for at least 6 credits per term in the terms awarded to be eligible for most federal aid. Please note that to be eligible for federal aid you must be enrolled in online and/or Guided Study courses (not PLAs, e-Packs, TECEPs, etc).

The deadline for applying for a particular term is two weeks prior to the start of the term. For example, if you wish to start in September, you should have a completed financial aid file by August 15. Completed files are comprised of a federally processed FAFSA, and receipt of all required documents. All required forms must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid. Any hold on your record (such as a Bursar hold) may delay your award.

Only one educational institution per term may award financial aid. Thomas Edison State University may process financial aid for its students attending other federally approved institutions, but you must notify the financial aid office of your intention and complete an Ad Hoc Consortium Agreement. Please note that you must stay within your annual aid limits if awarded at another school and Thomas Edison State University.

Once you are awarded and accept your aid through myEdison, you certify the following:

  1. I will be responsible for any institutional charges not covered by financial aid or due to a withdrawal from a term.
  2. I am not receiving financial aid for the same period at another educational institution.
  3. I am not in a federal, state, local or military correctional institution.
  4. I have read the 2026-2027 Financial Aid Handbook and understand my rights and responsibilities.
  5. I will stay within my annual aid limits if receiving aid at another school in the 2026-2027 award year.
  6. I will engage in academically related activities in my courses (such as discussion posts, assignments, tests) throughout the term, and that failure to do so could jeopardize my financial aid.