Undergraduate Students

Fall 2025 (Aug.-Nov.)

8/25/25

First day of fall classes!

Study, work hard and enjoy your CUC experience! Remember, your grades can affect your eligibility for federal and state financial aid.

9/2/25

Fall 2025 loan disbursement for undergraduate students

9/1/25 - 9/30/25

Register for your Federal Student Aid ID and password. Dependent students need the student and at least one parent to set up an FSA user ID to electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each user must set up his/her own FSA user ID and tie it to an email address within his/her control. Keep this information in a secure place and do not share them with anyone.

10/1/25

The 2026-2027 FAFSA is anticipated to be available on or before October 1. For 2026-2027, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2024 income tax information. Concordia University Chicago’s School Code is 001666.

When you submit your completed 2026-2027 FAFSA, you will receive an email confirming that Federal Student Aid received your FAFSA with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal aid. This includes your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and estimated eligibility for Federal Pell Grants.

Federal Student Aid will provide your FAFSA eligibility to schools listed on your FAFSA, upon availability.

10/27/2025

Second fall 2025 undergraduate loan disbursement (for one-semester loans)

11/1/25 - 11/30/25

If you haven’t already done so, complete the FAFSA  to receive maximum consideration for financial aid.  

Illinois residents are especially encouraged to file early to establish eligibility for the Illinois MAP grant. Students who file after the state deadline cannot receive MAP grant funding.

Note: The FAFSA completion deadline for MAP consideration is set annually by the state of Illinois. We strongly encourage Illinois residents to file the FAFSA no later than Dec. 1. 

Winter 2025 (Dec.-Feb.)

12/1/2025

Illinois residents are strongly encouraged to file their 2026-2027 FAFSA no later than December 1.

Mid-December

Financial aid packaging is underway and admitted students with a valid FAFSA on file will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter.

01/05/26

Spring 2026 classes begin.

01/13/26

Spring 2025 disbursement date for undergraduate students.

2/1/2026

Financial aid packaging continues. Students can review, accept and/or decline their financial packages by logging onto Concordia Connect. View and complete any missing items as requested.

2/15/2026

Continue applying for outside scholarships. Visit CUC’s External Scholarships page for additional outside scholarship info.

Spring 2026 (March-May)

3/1/2026

If you have not completed your 2025-26 FAFSA yet, please complete and submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible. For 2025-2026, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2023 income tax information. Concordia University Chicago’s School Code is 001666.

Once Concordia-Chicago receives your FAFSA information, we will further review your aid eligibility status. Financial aid packaging is underway and admitted students with a valid FAFSA on file will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter.

Federal Student Aid will send you an email when your FAFSA information has been sent to the schools listed on your FAFSA and will inform you when you can access your FAFSA Submission Summary on StudentAid.gov. The FAFSA Submission Summary will provide your official SAI calculation and Federal Pell Grant eligibility. You can check the status of your FAFSA form on StudentAid.gov.

3/16/26

Second spring 2026 undergraduate loan disbursement (for one-semester loans)

4/1/2026

Financial aid packaging continues. Students can review, accept and/or decline their financial packages by logging onto Concordia Connect. View and complete any missing items as requested.

5/2025

Financial aid packaging continues. Students can review, accept and/or decline their financial packages by logging onto Concordia Connect. View and complete any missing items as requested.

Complete the two online steps to secure your Federal Direct Loans to allow enough processing time for the funds to be available by the fall bill due date.

Summer 2026 (June-Aug.)

6/1/2026

Priority date for Concordia University Chicago to receive any requested documentation to complete your financial aid file. If you are applying for a credit-based private educational student loan, you should complete/submit your application with the lender of your choice by this date.

6/15/2026

Last day to complete the two-step process of securing your Federal Direct Loans to allow enough processing time for the funds to be available by the fall bill due date.

End of June

Semester bills are sent by the Office of Student Business Services. Please note that your financial aid will not reflect on your bill unless you have completed all requirements with our office.

June - July

New students: attend orientation (Jump Start) for the opportunity to register for classes, choose meal plans and receive estimated fall bills.

Parents can apply for the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan online. Credit-approved PLUS Loans will be added to the student's financial aid award. If the parent's credit is denied for the PLUS Loan, the student may be offered additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funding. 

July

Confirm your attendance to CUC by either paying your balance in full or enrolling in Concordia-Chicago’s installment payment plan.

Fall 2026 (Aug.-Nov.)

8/24/2026

First day of fall classes!

Study, work hard and enjoy your CUC experience! Remember, your grades can affect your eligibility for federal and state financial aid.

8/31/2026

Fall 2026 loan disbursement for undergraduate students

9/1/2026 - 9/30/2026

Register for your Federal Student Aid ID and password. Dependent students need the student and at least one parent to set up an FSA user ID to electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each user must set up his/her own FSA user ID and tie it to an email address within his/her control. Keep this information in a secure place and do not share them with anyone.

10/1/2026

The 2027-2028 FAFSA is anticipated to be available on October 1. For 2027-2028, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2025 income tax information. Concordia University Chicago’s School Code is 001666.

When you submit your completed 2027-28 FAFSA, you will receive an email confirming that Federal Student Aid received your FAFSA with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal aid. This includes your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and estimated eligibility for Federal Pell Grants.

Federal Student Aid will provide your FAFSA eligibility to schools listed on your FAFSA, upon availability.

10/26/2026

Second fall 2026 undergraduate loan disbursement (for one-semester loans)

Students must submit all missing financial aid documents to the Office of Financial Aid no later than two weeks prior to the end of your course(s) within a semester. Failure to meet the deadline may not allow your financial aid to be processed.

Financial Aid Forms

The following applications/forms are available for any student wishing to complete their financial aid file. Simply click on the desired application/form and print out a hard copy, complete the required information, provide an original signature and return to:

Office of Financial Aid
Concordia University Chicago
7400 Augusta Street
River Forest, IL 60305
Fax: 708-488-4102