FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the first step in applying for federal financial aid, and can be completed online at FAFSA.ed.gov.

• It is used to determine your eligibility for grants, work study, and federal loans. It does NOT sign you up for loans automatically, nor does it run any credit checks upon the student or parent.

• FAFSA is available to complete online starting October 1^st of each year.

• All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA, regardless of finances.

• Both the student and a parent/guardian must create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) at FSAID.ed.gov

• The FSA ID is used to log in to other Department of Education websites, such as studentaid.gov.

Remember, the FAFSA is FREE and you should not be asked to submit payment information while completing the application.

What is the FAFSA used for?

The data collected from the FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for most federal, state and institutional awards, including:

• Federal Pell Grants

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

• Federal Direct Loans

• Federal Work-Study

• State Financial Aid Programs

• Need-Based Scholarships

The FAFSA collects a family’s and student’s personal and financial information, which is used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

• EFC is determined by a federal formula that calculates need using the information provided on the FAFSA.

The Office of Financial Aid uses this information to conduct a need analysis for each student, and awards need-based financial aid accordingly.

What documents will you need?

The student and a parent/guardian will both need all of the documents listed below, if applicable.

• Social Security Number

  1. If the student doesn't have a Social Security number, please come see guidance about how to apply for aid. If a parent or guardian doesn't have a Social Security number, the student can still submit the FAFSA, but will need Guidance's help with submission.

• Driver’s License Number (if you have one)

• Federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)

• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)

• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

• An FSA ID to sign electronically.

  1. Students and guardians will need to make one through FAFSA's website. It will require a Social Security number, which will be linked to your account. This means that if you lose your email or password you cannot make a new account—make sure you write down your FSA ID in a secure place for the following year.

There is space on the FAFSA to note any major changes that have occurred since filing taxes that have impacted your ability to pay for college.

Note: There are many unique situations that might affect a student's ability to complete the FAFSA, such as an undocumented status, or students who are unable to collect the required information from their parents/legal guardians. Even if federal funds aren't accessible for a student through FAFSA, there is often institutional aid available! Any student who feels unsure of how to fill out the FAFSA, or are unsure whether they can fill out the FAFSA should make an appointment with your school counselor or College and Career Adviser as soon as possible!