FAFSA

WHAT IS THE FAFSA? 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students complete in order to receive money for college. U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or certain visa holders are eligible to apply. If a student is not eligible for the FAFSA, they may be eligible to complete the MN Dream Act.

The FAFSA will be available starting on October 1st, 2025 -- however, students and parents can and should create their FSA IDs before then

COMPLETING THE FAFSA 

Step 1: Create an FSA ID

•  Student AND One or Both Parent's will need to create an FSA ID 

  • If a parent does not have a Social Security Number, they will still need to create an FSA ID

• Go to this link to create an FSA ID 

• Use the resource below to keep track of your username, password, and challenge questions 

  • You will need to complete the FAFSA every year you're in college and will use the same FSA ID to log-in each year. It's important to keep this information in a safe place where you can access it when you need to complete the FAFSA again! 

Step 2: Determine Dependency Status and Which Parent's Information You'll Need

Dependency Status

Your dependency status determines whose information you're required to report when completing the FAFSA: 

• Dependent Students: you will report your information and your parents' information 

• Independent Students: you will only report your information  

In order to determine your dependency status, you will need to answer "Yes" or "No" to the questions found HERE

• If you answer "No" for every question, you're considered a Dependent Student 

• If you answer "Yes" to one or more of the questions, you're considered an Independent Student

Reporting Parent Information

If you're a Dependent Student, use the chart below to determine which parent's information you'll need to report:  

• For the FAFSA, "Parent" means your legal (biological or adoptive) parent or stepparent, or a person that the state has determined to be your legal parent

Step 3: Gather Materials & Information 

 The following materials & information will be needed to complete the FAFSA: 

Student Materials & Information

• Social Security Number 

• I-94/Green Card (if you have one) 

• 2024 Federal Income Tax Return 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) -- only needed if you filed taxes in 2024

  • Example found HERE 

• 2024 W-2 -- only needed if you worked in 2024 and received a W-2

  • Example found HERE

Parent Materials & Information (needed for both parent's if required to report both of their information) 

• Social Security Number

• Date of Birth 

• Date Parent's were married (if married) -- just the month & year

• Date Parent's were divorced (if divorced)  -- just the month & year 

• 2024 Federal Income Tax Return (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) 

• 2024 W-2 

• Estimate of how much money parent's have in their checking/saving accounts 

• Records of Untaxed Income

Step 4: Complete the FAFSA

Go to fafsa.gov and log-in with your FSA ID (student's FSA ID) 

• Make sure to select the 2026-27 FAFSA (the school year you'll be attending college)  

• Use the information & materials you gathered to answer the questions on the FAFSA 

• If you get stuck, check out this page on the Federal Student Aid website and navigate to the section you're stuck on 

Helpful Tips: 

• List ALL of the colleges that you have applied to or plan on applying to 

• Stop by the CCRC if you need support and Ms. Baheriy or Mr. Carlson will help you out! 

Step 5: After Completing the FAFSA... What Happens Now?

Colleges will communicate with students by email about any additional steps they need to take. 

You can also review this page on the Federal Student Aid website to see more information about happens after you submit the FAFSA. 

If you've been accepted to a college that you listed on your FAFSA, the college will calculate how much financial aid you're eligible for and send you a "Financial Aid Offer". If you're not sure where to look for your financial aid offer, reach out to the college!