For a complete guide to everything you need to know about the FAFSA, go to Next Steps Idaho FAFSA information page.

FAFSA Helpline

1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243, TTY 1-800-730-8913)                    5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Mon-Fri                          8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sat-Sun.

Click on the images below to create your FSA ID 

and then complete your FAFSA

Your FSA ID is your login and electronic signature for the FAFSA and every student AND one parent needs to create one before they complete the FAFSA

FAFSA NIGHTS at Lakeland High School

Lakeland High School FAFSA Nights are held 2-3 times throughout the year. Come get assistance filling out your FAFSA from North Idaho College's Financial Aid Dept. 

Five Reasons to File Your FAFSA

Submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be a complicated process. Here are five reasons why it's worth it.

1. Federal Aid

Do you want some of the more than $80 billion the federal government provides in grants, loans and work-study programs every year? Federal Student Aid programs are the largest source of student aid in the United States. The only way to be considered for Pell Grants, loans, work study and more is by submitting your FAFSA.

2. State Aid

Your FAFSA also puts you in consideration for state financial aid programs. Eligibility and deadline dates for these programs differ by state, but they all have one thing in common -- they require the FAFSA.

3. School Aid

Colleges and private scholarship sponsors offer billions of dollars in financial aid. Even if you don't have a high level of financial need, you may be eligible for these awards. Most colleges and many private scholarship sponsors require students to submit their FAFSA to be considered for financial aid. Some school and private scholarship programs are specifically designed for students who were rejected for federal financial aid, so even if you don't think you'll qualify for federal aid; it's a smart move to submit your FAFSA.

4. It's Free

A completed FAFSA will put you in consideration for federal, state, college and private scholarships and it's completely free. The only thing you'll spend completing your FAFSA is a few minutes of your time, and you could get thousands of dollars of financial aid in return.

5. Getting Help is Easy and Free

Not only is submitting your FAFSA free, but it may be easier to complete than you realize. You can fill it out online or print it off from the FAFSA Web site. Don't know how to figure out your parents' net worth? Don't worry. When you complete your FAFSA online, help is built into the system, so you won't get bogged down by the form's confusing financial jargon. There is also a Data Retrieval Tool that connects to the IRS so your parents can input their tax information into the FAFSA with the click of a button. You can still submit your questions online at the FAFSA Web site ( www.fafsa.ed.gov ) if you choose to fill out the paper form, or you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Federal, state and private financial aid can be within your reach when you submit your FAFSA, so what are you waiting for? FAFSA forms become available on or before October 1st. Submit your FAFSA as soon after October 1st to have the best shot at financial aid.

What happens after I file my FAFSA?

How to Appeal a Financial Aid Letter

A financial aid appeal is a request for additional financial aid, a better offer or higher grant amount, often requested because of a major life event in the family.

College financial aid administrators have the authority to make adjustments to the FAFSA when there are special circumstances that affect the family’s ability to pay and their cash flow.  Special circumstances include financial circumstances that have changed since the tax year on which your FAFSA is based and anything that differentiates the family from the typical family.

A change of circumstance could include:

Parents divorcing

You or a parent losing a job 

Reduction in income or loss of some other major income 

Death of a parent 

Unexpected medical expenses, and more

Financial aid administrators will not know about a change in income or unusual expenses unless you tell them. But, if you do tell them, they can make adjustments that can lead to a better financial aid package.

 If you have experienced a change of circumstances and your family wants to appeal a financial aid award:

• The first step to filing an appeal is to contact the financial aid office at the school a student is attending or schools a prospective student is considering to ask about the process.

• Some colleges have a form for the family to complete. This form collects information about the most common special circumstances. It helps the college perform a holistic review of the family’s financial circumstances.

• Other colleges will ask the family to write a letter to the financial aid office. This letter should summarize the special circumstances and the financial impact of each special circumstance on the family’s ability to pay for college.

• Families that have had a change in their financial situation may be asked to provide proof of the change before a college accepts an appeal.

 Click HERE for additional information about appealing the financial aid decision.

Click HERE for "How to Get More Financial Aid: Do's and Don'ts in the Appeal Process"