FAFSA

Collect your Information & Create your FSA ID

Create your FSA ID:

Your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID is a unique username and password that will allow you to access the FSA online platform and is your legal signature for filling out forms.  Your FSA ID can be created before the application opens on October 1st!

• Student and parent create an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov 

• Use the Creating Your FSA ID worksheet to keep track of your personal information

Gathering Documents:

The FAFSA questions ask for information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc.) and about your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances (for instance, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or what tax form you used), you might need the following information or documents as you fill out the application:

• Your Social Security number (it’s important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA form!)

• Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student

• Your driver’s license number if you have one

• Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen

• 2022 Federal tax information or tax returns including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are a dependent student:

  • • IRS 1040

    • Foreign tax return, IRS 1040NR, or IRS 1040NR-EZ

• Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student

• Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student

Apply for FAFSA

• FAFSA Open Now

• FAFSA Website: www.fafsa.gov

• 2024 Seniors should be applying for: 2024-2025 School Year

• Based off of: 2022 Tax Information 

For more information review the Filling Out the FAFSA worksheet

Information is Sent to Colleges

On the FAFSA application, you can list up to 10 colleges.  Each college has their own processing time and deadlines.  Be sure to check the college's website for further information.  

After you have submitted the FAFSA, you should be completing the admissions process for each college.

Information from College's Financial Aid Department

Check your email and regular mail frequently as colleges will contact you with requests for information so they can award you a Financial Aid Package.

If the college asks for additional information your Financial Aid Award Package will not be processed until you provide the requested information; so respond as soon as possible!

Keep legible photocopies of all information you submit and record the date you send in the documents. Ask Ms. Olason if you need help. This will help if you run into any problems.

Review Award Letters

A financial aid award letter is the notification that students receive informing them how much financial aid a school is willing to offer. This letter will detail the costs of attending the college for an academic year, as well as any grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans you are eligible to receive.

All students that submit a FAFSA, completed additional paperwork from the college (if applicable) and accepted by a school will receive a financial aid award letter from the college. You may find that this notice is referred to by names such as “financial aid offer,” “FAFSA award letter,” or “financial aid package,” but they are all basically the same.

An award letter is often received around the same time as college acceptance letters. This can vary depending upon the timing of your FAFSA submission and each college’s administrative process.

Financial aid award letters are only for one year of school. You’ll need to complete the FAFSA every year to determine what aid you are eligible for and you’ll receive a new award letter every year with that FAFSA submission.