Steps for Success

File your FAFSA

• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov every year that you're in school. The Indiana priority deadline to apply for state financial aid is April 15. Share your FAFSA with Ball State by using our school code 001786. Even if you think you may not qualify for grants, the information you provide on the FAFSA often helps determine your eligibility for other aid. Visit bsu.edu/FAFSA to learn more.

Respond immediately to requests for additional information.

• You might need to supply supporting documentation to verify the information provided on your FAFSA. Check your Ball State email and visit the Financial Aid tab on your Self-Service Banner frequently for important notifications.
• To visit your Financial Aid tab, go to myballstate.bsu.edu, log in with your Ball State username and password, and select Quick Links>Self-Service Banner>Financial Aid>Aid Offer.

Reach out to Cardinal Central if you have any questions.

Review Your Financial Aid Offer

Indiana residents: check ScholarTrack to see your state award status.

• To see if you qualify for Indiana state aid (i.e., 21st Century Scholars, Frank O'Bannon Grant) or Veterans Benefits (Children of Disabled Veterans, Children of Purple Heart Recipients...) and more, visit ScholarTrack.IN.gov.

Admitted First-Year Students

Admitted first-year students beginning in the fall will usually receive a paper copy of their financial aid offer in the mail in early spring. Any gift aid you qualify to receive (scholarships and grants) will be automatically applied to your bill for you.

For future updates to your financial aid offer, go to myballstate.bsu.edu, log in with your Ball State username and password, and select Quick Links > Self-Service Banner > Financial Aid > Aid Offer.

Current Students and Graduate Students

Graduate students starting in the fall semester will usually be packaged for financial aid over the summer (June-July). You will be notified at your Ball State email address and in your Self-Service Banner when your financial aid offer is ready.

For updates to your financial aid offer, go to myballstate.bsu.edu, log in with your Ball State username and password, and select Quick Links > Self-Service Banner > Financial Aid > Aid Offer.

Admitted First-Year Students

Your final, official transcript from your current high school is required prior to the completion of your first semester at Ball State. This is required for us to begin applying your financial aid toward your bill. Once available, please request your high school send your final, official transcripts electronically to askus@bsu.edu or by mail to:

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

LUCINA HALL 2000 W. UNIVERSITY AVE. MUNCIE, IN 47306

Graduate Students

Your final, official transcript showing highest earned degree conferred must be received by the Ball State University Office of Graduate Admissions within your first semester of enrollment at Ball State. This is required for us to begin applying your financial aid toward your bill. Once available, please request send your final, official transcripts electronically to askus@bsu.edu or by mail to:

Ball State University

Graduate Admissions

Lucina Hall 2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306

To officially become a Ball State student, you must accept our admission offer by confirming your enrollment and submitting a $100 nonrefundable deposit (we'll apply this to your tuition and fees). If you have questions or concerns about confirming your enrollment, please reach out to our admissions team.

Fall semester — May 1

Spring semester — December 1

Summer semester — April 1

Confirm Your Enrollment

Federal Direct Loans

If you plan to borrow a Federal Direct Loan, you must accept your loan offers in Self-Service Banner at myballstate.bsu.edu by August 1 for priority service.

Watch the how-to video below to learn how to accept your federal direct loans. 

How to accept your federal direct loans

These loans also have a few other requirements for you to complete after accepting.

Loan Entrance Counseling First-time borrowers must complete loan entrance counseling at studentaid.gov.

Master Promissory Note (MPN)

All borrowers must complete this legal document with their loan terms and conditions at studentaid.gov.

Direct PLUS Loans

To apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, your family must complete an application at studentaid.gov by July 15 for priority service.

Mail Scholarships to:

• Ball State University
  Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
  Lucina Hall 245
  Muncie, Indiana  47306

Please have the donor complete our Outside Scholarship Donor Form and email to cardinalcentral@bsu.edu.

All students are automatically enrolled in a monthly payment plan, and payment is due by the first of every month. Your first billing statement, which shows all university billing activity and your minimum monthly payment due, will be ready approximately one month prior to your first billing due date.

Watch the video below about understanding your eBill.

How to understand your eBill

Understanding eBill Captions

When you’re ready to make a payment, visit your eBill portal by going to myballstate.bsu.edu, logging in with your Ball State username and password, and selecting Quick Links > Self-Service Banner > Students > eBill.

How to Pay your eBill

Granting Proxy Access

As a student, you can set up proxy access granting others permission to access certain information in Self Service Banner or to speak with specific departments.

Students commonly grant parents or spouses access to their personal information. Learn how to set up proxy access or read our proxy FAQs.

How to grant proxy access

Authorized Payers

Authorized payers are able to see your current balance, transaction history, and billing statements, and they can make payments on your account. Learn how to set up an authorized payer.

Please note: Being an authorized payer does not allow the Student Financial Services staff to discuss a student’s financial record with you by phone, in person, or by email unless you have been granted proxy access.

How to set up Authorized Payers

Direct Deposit

If your financial aid exceeds your university charges, you may be entitled to a refund. Financial aid refunds are sent by direct deposit into your bank account, so we encourage you to enroll in direct deposit at least two weeks before the semester begins to avoid delay. You can set up your direct deposit information on your Self-Service Banner. Follow these instructions to set up your direct deposit.

Sign Up for Direct Deposit