Scholarships & Financial Aid

Who Should Apply for Need-Based Financial Aid?

All students with a social security number (see your school counselor if you do not have a social security number and need support finding money for college) should apply for need-based financial aid. Many families mistakenly think they may not qualify for this type of aid based on their income and assets. However, if students choose not to apply for need-based financial aid, they may be closing the door on opportunities that could help pay for college, like scholarships from their college. There are other sources of financial assistance available regardless of need, but most require that the student file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first.

What Do You Need With You To Fill Out the FAFSA?

• Social Security Number/Alien Registration Card/Permanent Resident Card (a student needs a Social Security Number to fill out the FAFSA; however, a student's parents do not need one for the student to complete the FAFSA)

• Previous year's Federal Tax Return and W2

• Previous year's untaxed income records, such as child support or veteran's non-education benefits

• Information on savings, investments, business assets and farm assets (if applicable)

• Mobile phone (if you have one)

• Parent(s)/Guardian(s) dates of birth

• Month and year of parents' marriage, divorce or separation

• FSA ID (if you have one). Visit fsaid.ed.gov to create an FSA ID (You will need this before completing the FAFSA) For help with this process, call 1-800-433-3243

  • Every student and at least one parent of a dependent student will need an FSA ID

  • If a parent already has an FSA ID or has more than one child attending college, the parent will use the same FSA ID to sign all applications, but each child must have their own FSA ID

  • Each FSA ID user must have a unique mobile phone number and/or email address

I was selected for FAFSA Verification, what does this mean?

You might be notified that you’ve been selected for verification; or your college might contact you to inform you that you’ve been selected. Verification is the process your college uses to confirm that the data reported on your FAFSA form is accurate. If you’re selected for verification, your college will request additional documentation that supports the information you reported.

Don’t assume you’re being accused of doing anything wrong. Some people are selected for verification at random; and some schools verify all students' FAFSA forms. All you need to do is provide the documentation your school asks for—and be sure to do so by the school’s deadline, or you won’t be able to get financial aid. Below is information that can help you through the process.

• Federal Student Aid Next Steps

• Do Four Things If Your FAFSA Is Selected for Verification

• FinAid's Guide to Verification

How Does A Student Apply For Need-Based Financial Aid?

• The FAFSA is the form used to apply for need-based financial aid. The student must complete the FAFSA to apply for need-based grants, as well as for federal financial aid and other aid from colleges. Students must apply every year.

• The FAFSA4caster is a tool designed to assist families to plan for education beyond high school. Students can receive an estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by entering their information into FAFSA4caster, a simplified version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA4caster also provides guidance on next steps for applying for admission, applying for federal student aid, and paying for education beyond high school. A Spanish version is available.

Is There a Deadline to Fill Out the FAFSA By?

There is a not a formal deadline to filling out the FAFSA, you can do it anytime. However, most colleges have a "Preferred Filing Date". By completing the FAFSA by this date you are increasing your chances of receiving scholarships and aid from the colleges you are considering.

• FAFSA Preferred Filing Dates for UW System Schools