Federal student aid includes:

• Grants: financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund)

• Loans: borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest

• Work-study: a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school

• To apply for federal student aid, you need to complete the FAFSA® (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

• If you’re ready to fill out the FAFSA now, go for it! The application opens up on October 1st each year.

• Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and quick, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.

• Make sure you complete a FSA ID first.

• In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.

An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) at fafsa.gov.

If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID if you want to sign your child's FAFSA electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications. Please note: Each FSA ID user must have a unique e-mail address.

Your FSA ID is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. It has the same legal status as a written signature. Don't give your FSA ID to anyone—not even to someone helping you fill out the FAFSA. Sharing your FSA ID could put you at risk of identity theft!