FAFSA FAQ:
What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students fill out the FAFSA form with their parent in order to see what financial aid, grants, and loans they are eligible for. When your FAFSA is processed, you will receive a Student Aid Index (SAI), which is number that represents how much financial support you may need. The SAI is NOT a dollar amount; it is simply a number that financial aid and admissions professionals use to determine financial aid eligibility and to create an offer for financial aid.
If I’m paying for college out of pocket, or I know I won’t be eligible for financial aid, do I have to fill out the FAFSA? Yes! You should still complete the FAFSA even if you don’t think you will qualify for aid. Many universities will require it in order to determine your eligibility for scholarships or other awards, and most scholarships will require you to submit your SAI before you can receive scholarship funds.
Do I need to have anything prepared before I fill out the form? YES! Before filling out the FAFSA, both student and parent will need to create separate StudentAid.gov IDs (SAIDs). You will answer questions about yourself and your income, and then your parent will be given a code to add in their information in a separate process. You (or your parent/caregiver) will also need the following documents:
Tax returns
Records of child support received
Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
When you say “parent,” who is that, exactly? My situation is a little complicated. If your parents are not married, or you live with and are supported by someone other than your parent, this information and this tool from Federal Student Aid should be helpful. You can also talk to your counselor about your specific situation to get more information.
What if I'm currently unhoused or in foster care? This webinar (and accompanying PowerPoint slides) from SchoolHouse Connection provides information on navigating the FAFSA process if you are unaccompanied, unhoused, or in foster care.