Financial Aid
FAFSA Information
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is perhaps the most important step in applying for financial aid.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is perhaps the most important step in applying for financial aid.
Federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education is the largest source of aid in America, providing over $150 billion in grants, work-study, and federal loans for students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. Additionally, some colleges award institutional aid based on a students level of 'need' as determined by completing the FAFSA.
Federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education is the largest source of aid in America, providing over $150 billion in grants, work-study, and federal loans for students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. Additionally, some colleges award institutional aid based on a students level of 'need' as determined by completing the FAFSA.
First things first! The student and the parent completing the FAFSA must apply for and obtain an FSA ID. A separate ID is needed for each. This ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign your Federal Financial Aid documents. For help with the ID, visit studentaid.gov/fsaid.
First things first! The student and the parent completing the FAFSA must apply for and obtain an FSA ID. A separate ID is needed for each. This ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign your Federal Financial Aid documents. For help with the ID, visit studentaid.gov/fsaid.
One helpful tip when applying for the ID is to make sure the parent and the student EACH use their own email address during the application for the ID.
One helpful tip when applying for the ID is to make sure the parent and the student EACH use their own email address during the application for the ID.
The FAFSA know uses prior-prior year tax information. This means no more rushing to complete your taxes in January to meet the late winter/early spring FAFSA deadlines.
The FAFSA know uses prior-prior year tax information. This means no more rushing to complete your taxes in January to meet the late winter/early spring FAFSA deadlines.
The FAFSA now opens October 1st. Deadlines for Montana postsecondary schools are December 1st. To check out-of-state deadlines, go to https://fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm as each state differs.
The FAFSA now opens October 1st. Deadlines for Montana postsecondary schools are December 1st. To check out-of-state deadlines, go to https://fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm as each state differs.
Students and parents will use the tax information from the previous spring to complete the FAFSA. For example, a senior graduating in 2022 will use tax info from 2020 for their 2022-23 year of college.
Students and parents will use the tax information from the previous spring to complete the FAFSA. For example, a senior graduating in 2022 will use tax info from 2020 for their 2022-23 year of college.
The FAFSA process can be overwhelming for first-time applications. This is a great guide to use to understand the FAFSA process: http://www.understandingfafsa.org/assets/FAFSA-final.pdf
FAFSA-How to Guide.pdf