FAFSA

Check out Mrs. Miglinas' Bitmoji Classroom for links to information and the FAFSA itself. FAFSA Room

What is the FAFSA?

To apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work study and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many need based scholarships also require the FAFSA. Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. You do not need to submit GPA or test scores or any other academic information.

The FAFSA is a first step, not a commitment. Filling out the form doesn't mean you're obligated to enroll or pay for college - it's just a way to see how much aid you could receive from each school. Most students need some aid to make their dreams a reality, and grants and loans can be part of the equation - the key is taking out just enough to cover tuition, fees, room and board.

The FAFSA becomes available for completion on October 1 of the year prior to enrollment and is open until June 30 of the following year. (Example: October 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 for a fall 2020 enrollment.) States and colleges set their own priority deadlines (the date after which they begin to disburse funds) so it is recommended that you complete the FAFSA by NOVEMBER 15.


You can expect to spend at least 1 hour to complete the FAFSA without complication

Steps to Completing the FAFSA

1. Gather important documents

  • You and your parents' full names, dates of birth and addresses

  • You and your parents Social Security Numbers (Your Alien Registration number if you're not a US Citizen)

  • Your Driver's Licence (or State Issued I.D. ) number

  • Federal tax information - the FAFSA does now have an IRS data retrieval tool that will import tax information. It is important to note that the Student Aid office and the IRS DO NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER! This is a simple data transfer. Using the data retrieval tool will not alert the IRS of any information. The FAFSA operates on a PRIOR-PRIOR system for tax information. Example for the 2019-2020 school year, the FAFSA will require tax documents from 2017.

  • Information on cash, savings and checking account balances, investments held, including stocks and bonds, real estate (but not including the home you live in) and business and farm assets for you and your parents.

2. Visit FAFSA.ed.gov and click Start Here to begin, or Log In as a returning user

3. Obtain an FSA ID for student and an FSA ID for one parent

Helpful hint: Don't use school email address

4. Complete the FAFSA online through either a desktop/laptop or myStudentAid mobile app

Helpful hint: Don't answer a call or text while working on the FAFSA, you'll have to start over

Helpful hint: IRS Data Retrieval - when trying to connect to the IRS data retrieval tool using your FSA ID, do not exceed more than 3 times of incorrectly entering the information. The fourth try will lock the account and you will need to call 1-800-4FED-AID.

5. Sign the FAFSA

Electronic signature using FSA ID

Verify FSA ID account


*** If your FAFSA is selected for Verification, don't panic! Verification can be selected at random, or you may have certain circumstances the simply require answering a few more questions. You will need to follow up with your college/university of choice for a few more steps. See VERIFICATION page for more information.