Apply For Financial Aid You must apply for financial aid each year. By following the steps outlined in the How to Apply Checklist (pdf), you will be applying for most types of federal, state, and institutional aid. We recommend that you file the appropriate financial aid application at the same time you apply for admission to the university. It is very important that you complete all steps in the application process before the deadline dates indicated. Late applications are considered on a reduced funding basis. Download the How to Apply Checklist in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you do not have it, download it at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.