First Step: Applicant (Student) creates a FREE FAFSA account and FSA ID. The account and application form are FREE.
If the Applicant (Student) already created an account and FSA ID, go to step 2
studentaid.gov or go directly to the FAFSA Form page
Class of 2025 > Complete and submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA Form
Select Start New Form (if logging on for the first time)
Select Access Existing Form (if you already began the FAFSA Form)
Once selected, log in
5 Sections:
Personal Circumstances > Applicant (Student) invites their parent to contribute to their FAFSA Form and to create their own FSA ID under this section. The parent is considered a "Contributor" on the FAFSA Form. Once invited, the parent (Contributor) will receive an email to create their own login which is needed to electronically sign the applicant's (student's) FAFSA Form.
Demographics
Financials
Colleges (Select all colleges you are applying to so that the colleges receive the report. You can select up to 20 colleges.)
Signature (Electronically sign and submit the FAFSA form.)
Contributor (Parent) receives the invite email you sent them when completing your portion of the FAFSA Form and accepts the invite.
Contributor (Parent) selects Log In to create an account or can login to an existing one.
Under the first section of the form, the contributor (parent) can consent to connect IRS information to the FAFSA Form to simplify the process. Three sections will need to be completed:
Demographics
Financials
Signature (Electronically sign and submit the FAFSA form.)
It will take approximately 2 weeks for the FAFSA Form to process.
Once the FAFSA Form is processed, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary which will highlight your eligibility for federal student aid.
The FAFSA Submission Summary replaces the Student Aid Report. It will include the answers that you submitted on your FAFSA Form (except for any federal tax information that was transferred directly from the IRS), your Student Aid Index (SAI), and an estimation of the amount of federal student aid that you may be eligible for.
The SAI is an index number that’s calculated using the information that you and your contributors provide on the FAFSA form. Your SAI can range anywhere from –1500 to 999999. Note that it is not a dollar amount. The SAI replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting in the 2024–25 award year. Once your college, career school, or trade school knows your SAI, they will use it to calculate how much and what types of financial aid you're eligible to receive.
Watch this video on how to create an account.
Watch this video on how to complete the FAFSA.
Watch this video on how to complete the FAFSA.
What is HESAA?
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) is the only NJ state agency with the sole mission of providing students and families with financial and informational resources for students to pursue their education beyond high school.
NEED-BASED GRANTS
The New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)
Part-time TAG for County College Students
Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)
The Governor's Urban Scholarship Program (GUS)
The Governor's Industry Vocations Scholarship (GIVS)
SCHOLARSHIPS
New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS and NJ STARS II)
The Governor's Urban Scholarship Program (GUS)
The Governor's Industry Vocations Scholarship (GIVS)
World Trade Center Scholarship (WTC)
The New Jersey Better Education Savings Trust (NJBEST) Scholarship
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Scholarship (LEOM)
Survivor Tuition Benefits (STB)
LOANS
New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS)
