FAFSA

FAFSA

The FAFSA newsletter will be emailed to all Seniors and their parents on 10/2/25.

Create your FSA ID here. This is your username and password and is the first step in the financial aid process. Families cannot complete a FAFSA without this ID. Both students and parent(s) need their own unique FSA ID. 

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.studentaid.gov 

• FAFSA is based upon your most recent tax return. 

• Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible. The 2026-27 Application will open on December 1st 

• ISAC's web resource for Completing the FAFSA

• Watch this video: 2026-27 FAFSA Walkthrough Video 

• Review: Going Merry's FAFSA FAQ

• Students should complete their section first, and confirm that it has been processed before the parent contributor completes their section. Parent(s) click on the link in the email invitation to complete the parent section.

• Print or screenshot a copy of the Personal Information Page for each contributor. Each contributor must enter this information EXACTLY as entered for each family filer. When a student invites a contributor to their FAFSA form, any detail that deviates from the information provided by the student could lead to errors.

• Other helpful hints about completing the FAFSA:

  • Google Chrome browser provides the most consistent performance

  • The preferred view is desktop. Using a tablet device will cause display and interaction issues.

  • Do not use auto-complete to enter any information.

  • A blank space at the end of the email address or the username or password can cause errors.

Go to the Federal Student Aid Estimator at  https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/ to get an estimate of your projected financial aid package based on your most recent tax return.  

Based upon the information presented in the FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly SAR) which will outline your Student Aid Index (SAI). This index is what colleges will use to determine a family's eligibility for all types of aid. The SAI is not the dollar amount a family will be expected to pay.

After receiving the student's FAFSA results, colleges will respond by sending the student a financial aid award letter.  The letter will detail each type of financial aid that has been awarded--grant, loan, and/or work-study. Students will have the ability to accept or decline each type of aid awarded. Students need to sign and return this form in a timely fashion; failure to do so may negatively impact the award.

If, after a family has received an award letter from a college, they wish to appeal the award, the student needs to initiate the appeal process with the financial aid office at that college. Families will be required to submit information about any drastic changes in family income, large unanticipated healthcare costs, or other family factors that affect their ability to pay. 

FAFSA Nonparticipation Forms

FAFSA is a graduation requirement in Illinois. For students who choose not to file an application, a waiver may be completed by their parent. The 2025-26 Nonparticipation Form (used to opt-out of the 2026-27 FAFSA) can be submitted online on ISAC's Student Portal under the Program Applications & Status Checks tab. See the Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form Instructions for details on how to complete the electronic form. 

ISAC Support

Please direct your FAFSA questions to our ISAC Representative:

Christian Montes

Christian.Montes@illinois.gov

(847)421-2551  ¡Hablo Español!