FAFSA Form & the Financial Aid Process

Use the dropdown arrows in the heading to access all the subtabs for more information on financial aid information, scholarships and other processes most colleges offer.

The 2026-27 FAFSA Application/Form opens to ALL students October 1, 2025.

FAFSA Form Process includes:

Create the student and parent FSA ID - which serves as your log-in and electronic signature. Use this link to create FSA ID's: Create Account | Federal Student Aid
View the YouTube videos - listed below with all the videos to help gain more knowledge about the FAFSA Form and the federal financial aid process. Also, you may make an appointment with Mrs. Brannan for assistance.
Review the BASICS of Financial Aid Handout - click the link to access the handout with information on the financial aid process including the FAFSA and other financial aid forms that colleges may require (RDS, CSS Profile, etc.) and scholarship information resources.
Locate and review the Financial Aid Webpage for each of the colleges you plan to attend.
- The financial aid webpage will give you additional financial aid information such as cost of attendance, previous financial aid offered, scholarships, any additional financial aid forms required & deadlines to meet. This is found on a separate webpage from the Admissions webpage with college admissions information and deadlines.

FAFSA Help Resource links to assist with the FAFSA process -

Make sure you are using the 2026-27 FAFSA Application Form. You use the year you are entering college. It may not show up on Studentaid.gov until closer to Oct 1st opening date.

Chart to Determine which parent needs to provide information on the Student's FAFSA application: Click links to view chart and article:

Who Is My Contributor on my FAFSA - which parent?
My Parents are Divorced - Who completes the FAFSA? - click the link for a chart to show various divorce/separated circumstances

How do I count assets on the FAFSA?

Overview of Applying for Financial Aid with the FAFSA Form

What is FAFSA & Why is it Important?

Create Your FSA ID

Why Do I and My Parents Need our Own FSA ID for FAFSA?

Who is a Contributor on the FAFSA?

How to Complete the FAFSA if my Parents are Divorced?

Am I a Dependent or Independant Student?

What Does It Mean to Give Consent on FAFSA?

What Happens After I Submit My FAFSA Form?

Other FAFSA Resources to assist with the FAFSA Form process:

Help Center | Federal Student Aid
Contact Us | Federal Student Aid
Understanding the SAI - Student Aid Index
Understanding the FAFSA Submission Summary - FAFSA Submitted! You've received the FAFSA Submission Summary - click link above to access the power point to view examples of each page of the FAFSA Submission Summary to understand what it means and how to proceed with the college financial aid process.

You Have a Change in Financial Circumstances from the Tax Year Reported or After FAFSA Submitted

What to do if Your Situation Has Changed from the tax year reported on the FAFSA Form

- How To Correct or Update Your FAFSA® Form | Federal Student Aid - How Do I correct my FAFSA Form once it is Submitted?
- How to Make FAFSA® Corrections | Chase

Most financial information cannot be updated on the FAFSA Form because it must be accurate as of the day you originally signed & submitted your FAFSA form. For example, if you spent some of your savings after filing the FAFSA form, you may not update your information on the FAFSA itself to show a change in that amount.

NOTE: You should speak to the financial aid office at the college or career/trade school you plan to attend if there will be a significant change in your or your parent’s income for the present year from the tax year reported on the FAFSA or if your family has other circumstances that cannot be reported on the FAFSA form.

If your personal circumstances change and impact your dependency status after you submit your FAFSA form, contact your college's financial aid office to ask if they have a policy that allows you to update your answers on the FAFSA pertaining to the personal circumstance questions. The financial aid staff will tell you what to do.

How to Read Your Financial Aid Award Letter - click link to better understand your financial aid award letter.