Embedded Files
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Who should complete the FAFSA? Anyone considering attending a community college, university, or many trade school programs that accept federal aid. Even higher wage families should complete the form.
Who should complete the FAFSA? Anyone considering attending a community college, university, or many trade school programs that accept federal aid. Even higher wage families should complete the form.
Your counselor can provide guidance and resources; however, the FAFSA help center will be able to provide you with the best possible assistance.
Your counselor can provide guidance and resources; however, the FAFSA help center will be able to provide you with the best possible assistance.
Step #1 - Student and Parents Create a FSA ID.
Step #1 - Student and Parents Create a FSA ID.
Students must create a FSA ID to complete the FAFSA. You will need a Social Security Number as well as a email address and/or cell phone number. Click HERE to create your FSA ID.
Parents create FSA ID. A parent FSA ID is not required, but it will allow you to more easily import financial information into the FAFSA and allow parents to sign the form electronically. If you are a parent or spouse who does not have an SSN, you can still create a StudentAid.gov account to contribute to a student’s FAFSA form. When creating your account, leave the SSN field blank and select “What if I don’t have a Social Security number?”
If only one parent has an SSN, that parent is the one who should create an account and join the student's FAFSA form as a contributor.
Click HERE to create a parent FSA ID (its the same sight as for students).
If a parent does not have a SSN, but the students does, click HERE for more directions.
Important Tip! Students, use a personal email address. You have to fill out the FAFSA every year that you want to receive financial aid. Your SHS email will likely be closed before you are done using the FAFSA.
Questions: What if a student does not have a social security number? Undocumented or DACA students cannot receive federal financial aid, but likely still qualify for State Aid such as in-state tuition and the Oregon Promise. You will need to fill out the ORSAA. Talk to your counselor and click HERE to learn more.
Link to create FSA ID
Step #2 - Gather Documents
Step #2 - Gather Documents
Note, you are filling out the 2025-26 FAFSA because that will be your freshman year in college.
• Your Social Security card and driver's license (if you have one). If you are missing your Social Security number, you can request a new or replacement card from the Social Security Admin. If your parents do not have a Social Security Number, they will check the box stating "I do not have a SSN".
•In the past you had to have student and parent tax documents on hand. This is not needed with the new FAFSA. All information will be automatically accessed from the IRS through the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange.
• Current bank and investment account statements. Note, parents should not report primary home or retirement accounts under assets (a common mistake)
• Business or farm records (if applicable).
• Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances. Examples include high unreimbursed medical and dental expenses, unusually high dependent care costs (e.g., for a special needs child or an elderly parent), death, divorce, salary reductions or job loss. The FAFSA may not call for these, but you will want to report them to any school you apply to.
• Title IV Institution Codes for each school you are applying to. You can get this code from the school, or you can use FinAid's Title IV School Code Database. A Institution search tool is also embedded in the FAFSA form itself, so it is not necessary to look up codes ahead of time.
Step #3 Complete the FAFSA
Step #3 Complete the FAFSA
Consider watching the videos on the right.
Consider watching the videos on the right.
Remember, STUDENT starts the process and invites the parent to join. Some families make the mistake of parents trying to complete the form first. Start with the Student.
Remember, STUDENT starts the process and invites the parent to join. Some families make the mistake of parents trying to complete the form first. Start with the Student.
FAFSA Overview
(many other helpful videos on this site)
If you are unsure how to answer any questions, use this step-by-step guide:
If you are unsure how to answer any questions, use this step-by-step guide:
This resource hub provides up-to-date information and resources to support students and families to complete the FAFSA. We focus specifically on information and resources for members of mixed-status families, including families where one or more member does not have a social security number.
If you need help determining which parent will count on your FAFSA
If you need help determining which parent will count on your FAFSA
CLICK HERE
Page updated
Report abuse