FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Everyone should complete the FAFSA, regardless of Bright Futures or other scholarship awards, regardless of Florida Prepaid, and regardless of what you "think" you will or will not qualify for. Many merit based scholarships require the FAFSA as well.

NEVER, NEVER PAY TO FILL OUT THE FAFSA. THAT IS A SCAM. IT IS 100% FREE TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT

FAFSA Application (Opens Oct. 1, 2025 for the college freshman of the 26-27 school year)

6 Things Students Need Before They Fill Out the FAFSA® Form

Remember...anywhere the FAFSA asks about "you", they are referring to the student.

If you are planning to attend the 2026 Summer Term, check with your school's financial aid office to determine if you should fill out the 2025-26 FAFSA.

FAFSA Help Videos

Estimate your federal student aid

FAFSA Myths Debunked: How to Apply for Financial Aid by Pacific University, OR

Where to get in-person/virtual help

Edgewood FAFSA Night with Keiser University: Nov. 5, 2025; 6pm in the Media Center (available to all students, regardless of collge choice)
College 101 Videos
College 101 Webinars Paying for College: How to Save Big, Stress Less, and Make College Affordable!
- September 23, 2025 6:00 - 7:00 pm ET

Additional tips and reminders:

Each student needs their own FAFSA account and FSA ID. The FSA ID can take up to 48 hours to verify.
Parents also need their own FAFSA account and FSA ID. The FSA ID can take up to 48 hours to verify.
If a dependent student’s parents are married and not separated, or the parents are unmarried but live together, both parents are required to report their income and asset information on the FAFSA. If the parents file separate federal income tax returns, both parents’ income and asset information must be reported on the FAFSA.
The FAFSA needs to be completed EACH YEAR. Students and parents will continue to use the same FSA ID. Additionally, there are small changes made each year, and some years have big changes (2024), so check the FAFSA site before starting to renew each year.
Be sure to check ALL deadlines. FAFSA opens Oct. 1 and there are federal deadlines (June 30, 2027), state deadlines (FL: May 15, 2026), and school deadlines (per school, so be sure to check each school you are applying to). FAFSA money is almost 100% first come-first served for those eligible.
Be sure to research special circumstances, especially if they apply one year when they did not the previous year: loss or severe decrease in income, changes in household, large medical or dental expenses, etc. Aid may be able to be changed retro-actively.
Remember the FAFSA uses the tax year 2 years previous from the award year. (Ex: the application for funds to help pay for the 2026-2027 school year is completed during the 2025-2026 school year and are based on 2024 tax returns.) You will be required to digitally link your tax returns.
Be sure to research or ask for help if you are unsure if you are dependent or independent* for FAFSA purposes.

*Subject to change, always check status based on current information for the year you are applying for aid.

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