This page provides helpful information about paying for education after high school. Here you’ll find an overview of the FAFSA, basic financial aid resources, and a variety of scholarship opportunities available to students.
Our goal is to give students and families clear, easy-to-understand guidance as they explore their options and plan for the future.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form students complete to be considered for financial aid after high school. This includes federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and student loans. Many colleges, universities, and technical programs use FAFSA information to determine the type and amount of financial aid a student may receive.
Completing the FAFSA is important because it:
Helps students access free money for college or career training
Determines eligibility for financial aid from colleges and the state
Is required by many scholarships
Helps families understand the cost of different post-secondary options
All seniors must complete the FAFSA to graduate. This helps students access financial aid for college or career training.
If you prefer not to complete it, you can fill out a waiver to opt out. Our counseling team can provide the waiver and help with any questions.
Step 1: Gather All Required Information (Before starting your FAFSA, collect the following items. Having everything ready will make the process much faster)
Social Security Number (student and parent, if applicable)
Driver’s license (if applicable)
Full legal name, date of birth, and contact information
Email Address
Mobile phone number
Federal tax returns for student and parent
W-2 forms and other records of income
Records of untaxed income (child support, veterans’ benefits, etc.)
Bank account balances and investment information (checking, savings, stocks, bonds, etc.)
Step 2: Create Your FSA ID
Both the student and one parent (if applicable) need an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA electronically.
Gather your Social Security number, date of birth, email, and create a username and password.
Here is the URL to create your FSA ID: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/personal-info
Go to studentaid.gov
Log in with your FSA ID
Begin a new FAFSA application (this should be for the NEXT school year)
Student Information – Personal and demographic details
School Selection – List the colleges or programs where you want your FAFSA sen
Dependency Status – Determine if you’re a dependent or independent student
Parent Information – Required if you’re a dependent
Financial Information – Enter tax and income information (using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if possible)
Both the student and parent (if applicable) must sign using their FSA IDs
Submit your FAFSA electronically
Save a copy for your records
You will receive a Student Aid Report summarizing your FAFSA information
Check for errors and make corrections if necessary