Completing the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward getting federal aid for college, trade school, or graduate school. It begins the financial aid process and notifies the college or university that you would like help in financing your post-high education. Not all colleges and universities participate with the FAFSA so please check your college or FAFSA Website to see if they participate. 

 Just remember the FAFSA is FREE.  You should never pay to complete this application.  Be careful NOT to type a ".com" address as this mistake will direct you to the wrong website that will charge you a fee!  The correct address is www.fafsa.ed.gov

The Federal Government provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year, but you must complete the FAFSA to see if you can get any of that money.

The FAFSA should be completed by every senior planning to attend college regardless of income! The FAFSA must be renewed each subsequent year the student attends college.  To begin complete the FAFSA the applying student and one parent/guardian must create an Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). 

Overview of the Financial Aid Process (Video by Federal Student Aid)

Why Fill Out the FAFSA? (Video for students by HIDOE)

Why Fill Out the FAFSA? (Video for parents by HIDOE)

A Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature.  Only create an FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use.  You are not authorized to create an FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member. Misrepresentation of your identity to the federal government could result in criminal or civil penalties.

 BOTH student and at least one parent/guardian (based upon marital status and tax filing in the prior year) must create an FSA ID to submit a FAFSA application.

FSA ID FAQs (Webpage with everything you need to know about FSA ID including what to do if you forgot your username/password)

STEP 1: Start gathering all of your personal information (e.g. tax records from 2024, social security numbers, etc.) and have an e-mail account that you check regularly. DO NOT use your school e-mail address. This account will be deleted once you graduate.

STEP 2: Create a FSA ID.  Both the student and one parent/guardian (depending on the marital status and tax filings in the prior year) need to create their own  FSA ID. This can be done at any time.  Click here to create a FSA ID.  Be sure to keep this information in a safe location to be used in the future. 

STEP 3: Complete the application.  Select all schools in your application that you would like to send your FAFSA information to.  This is the only way they may calculate a financial award package for you after you have been accepted.  You may always to go into your account to add schools. Click here to start your FAFSA application

STEP 4: Wait for your financial aid award letter.  Once received, review it.