How to find FAFSA school codes for 2026. Federal School Code lookup, popular codes quick reference, and how to add schools to your FAFSA.
FAFSA School Codes 2026: How to Find and Use Them
Every college that participates in federal financial aid has a unique six-digit Federal School Code (also called the Title IV code or FAFSA code). You need these codes to list the schools you want to receive your FAFSA data. Without adding a school’s code to your FAFSA, that school can’t see your financial information and can’t offer you federal aid.
How to Find a School’s Federal School Code
There are three ways to find the code:
- On the FAFSA form itself. When you fill out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov, there’s a school search feature built into the form. Type the school name and it will show the code.
- Federal School Code Lookup Tool. The Department of Education provides a free search tool where you can look up any school’s code by name, city, or state.
- College financial aid websites. Most colleges list their Federal School Code on their financial aid or admissions page.
How to Add Schools to Your FAFSA
You can list up to 20 schools on your FAFSA. Here’s what you need to know:
- Order doesn’t matter for federal aid. All listed schools receive the same information regardless of the order you enter them.
- For state aid, order may matter. Some states use your first-listed school to determine state grant eligibility. Check your state’s financial aid agency for specifics.
- You can add or remove schools after submitting. Log back into the FAFSA to update your school list at any time.
- Schools cannot see who else is on your list. Colleges only see their own code, not the other schools you’ve listed.
Popular School Codes (Quick Reference)
| School | Federal School Code |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 002155 |
| MIT | 002178 |
| Stanford University | 001305 |
| Yale University | 001426 |
| Princeton University | 002627 |
| Columbia University | 002707 |
| University of Michigan | 002325 |
| UCLA | 001315 |
| NYU | 002785 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 003658 |
| Ohio State University | 003090 |
| Penn State | 003329 |
| University of Florida | 001535 |
| Georgia Tech | 001569 |
| University of Virginia | 003745 |
What If You Can’t Find a Code?
If a school doesn’t have a Federal School Code, it likely doesn’t participate in federal financial aid programs. This is common for some international schools, unaccredited institutions, or very new programs. Contact the school’s financial aid office directly to ask about their aid options.
Next step: FAFSA deadlines by state for 2026 | how to fill out the FAFSA
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Source: The College Monk — Based on data from 3,837 U.S. universities. Last updated June 2026.
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