What Is FAFSA & Why Is It Important?
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form students fill out to determine if they qualify for financial aid to help fund their education post-high school.10 You must fill out a FAFSA form in order to qualify for funding including federal grants (like Pell Grants, which do not need to be repaid), loans and work-study programs. Additionally, many schools, scholarships, grants and tuition assistance programs require a completed FAFSA in order for a student to qualify for other types of financial aid such as State of Institutional funding.
Many programs have early deadlines so you’ll want to submit your form as soon as possible. Submission opens every year on Oct. 1.
Here’s how to submit your FAFSA:
Step 1: Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID
- Visit studentaid.gov.
- Click on “Create Account” to set up your FSA ID, which will be used to log in, sign your application and access your financial aid information.
Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents and Information
Before starting, you’ll need the following information ready. If you're a dependent student, you'll need this information from your parent(s) as well:
- Your Social Security Number (if applicable).
- Your Alien Registration Number (if you're not a U.S. citizen).
- Your and/or your parents’ Federal Income Tax Returns, W-2s and other records of money earned.
Providing this information helps accurately assess your financial need and ensures you receive the maximum aid you're eligible for.
Step 3: Complete the FAFSA Form Online
- Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and log in using your FSA ID.
- Select the academic year for which you’re applying for aid.
- Follow the prompts to:
- Provide personal details (name, date of birth, address, etc.).
- Answer dependency status questions to determine whether you need to provide parental information.
- Provide financial information.
- Enter school codes (find those here) for the institutions where you’re applying or are currently enrolled.
- Review information for accuracy, sign and submit.
If you get stuck completing the form, contact your Financial Aid Advisor for assistance.
Step 4: Review Financial Aid Offers
- Schools listed on your FAFSA will receive your information and prepare a financial aid package.
- Compare the packages you are eligible to receive to determine which best suits your needs.
Step 5: Apply for Scholarships and Grants
- Scholarships and grants can help significantly in reducing the cost of your training and they don’t require repayment.
- Learn how to find and apply for scholarships and grants here.
Helpful Tips
- Be sure to keep copies of all documents used to fill out the FAFSA in case you're selected for verification.
- Verification is a random process where you may need to provide additional proof of the data you entered.
- You can check your FAFSA status at any time by logging into your account.
- Within three weeks, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that summarizes your FAFSA submission. Review it and make corrections if needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- FAFSA is an acronym which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for federal grants, educational loans and possible work-study programs.
- If you’re hoping to receive any type of government financial aid for college, you would file a FAFSA
- You can apply for FAFSA by going to www.studentaid.gov
- FSA ID to sign the FAFSA electronically
- Social Security Number or your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
- Your (and your spouse’s, if married) federal income tax returns (2016 return for the 2018-2019 FAFSA, and 2017 return for the 2019-2020 FAFSA), W-2s, and any other records of money earned (if applicable)
- You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information directly into the FAFSA by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. You will need the exact address as it appears on your tax return down to punctuation and abbreviation
- Your parents information and income tax return if you are considered an dependent student as determined by the FAFSA
- Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
The Save Key is a code you create between 4 and 8 characters long. It is created for temporary use and allows you or your parent to return and complete an unsubmitted FAFSA.
- The FSA ID is the username and password you will create to electronically sign your FAFSA application and access certain U.S. Department of Education websites
- You can create an FSA ID by going to www.studentaid.gov
- If you are considered a “Dependent” student as determined by the FAFSA application, your parent will need to create an FSA ID in order to electronically sign the FAFSA.
- They can create an FSA ID by going to www.studentaid.gov
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