What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is an application, run through the Department of Education, that collects financial information to determine student financial need. It then sends this information to the colleges of your choosing, who will come up with your financial aid package. You will complete this application every year that you are a college student!
Why should I complete it?
This form is required in order to be considered for most types of student aid. By not completing it, you are severely lowering your chances of receiving aid at your institution and making it more difficult to pay for higher education.
When do I complete the FAFSA?
As soon as possible! The FAFSA opens on October 1st, and is a first come, first serve program. You should plan to complete it even if you haven't heard back from any colleges yet!
Steps to complete the FAFSA
Set up a FSA ID: studentaid.gov/fsa-id/
This is the login you will use to access the FAFSA application and will act as your digital signature. Use your personal email, as you will need access to the FAFSA after high school.
Both the student and a parent/guardian should make an FSA ID. If you have any older siblings who have done the FAFSA or parents who have recently gone to college, your parent/guardian may already have an FSA ID!
Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA Application: fafsa.ed.gov
The FAFSA will ask for personal/demographic info, parent info, and most importantly, financial info. Please double-check after you submit that your FAFSA is marked as "Completed".
Students and Families are more than welcome to meet with Mr. Medlicott to complete the FAFSA!
Materials Needed for the FAFSA
Note: Determining which parent info to put on the FAFSA can be difficult. Ask Mr. Medlicott if you are unsure!
When filling out the FAFSA, have this info ready:
Student/Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Social Security Numbers
If your parent does not have a SSN, put 000-00-000 instead
Student Driver's License Number (if applicable)
Permanent, non-school email address for student and parent
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 2020 Tax Return (1040, 1099, W2)
Student 2020 Tax Return (if applicable)
Month & Year of Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Marriage/Separation/Divorce (if applicable)
Estimates of current household assets (current savings, second home, investments, etc.) if available
Frequently Asked Questions
My parent(s)/guardian(s) don't have a social security number, can I do the FAFSA?
Yes! You will put all zeroes (000-00-000) in place of the SSN and fill out the rest of the information like normal. You will have to mail in your parent/guardian's signature, as they will not be able to make an FSA ID.
Who gets the information I put on the FAFSA?
The information you put on the FAFSA is confidential. It will only be used by the Department of Education and the schools of your choosing to determine eligibility for financial aid. No one else has access to this information!
My parent(s)/guardian(s) haven't filed their 2020 taxes yet, can we just use our 2019 taxes?
No. By law, the FAFSA must use the previous tax year's data. If your parent(s)/guardian(s) are in the process of filing their 2020 taxes, they can select the "will file" option.
My FAFSA has an error and/or I want to send it to another college, what do I do?
No worries! Log back into your FAFSA and click "Make a Correction". You will need to update whatever info necessary and re-submit the FAFSA in order for the new info to be sent out. If you are confused as to what caused the error, ask Mr. Medlicott!
How do I know how much financial aid I will receive?
When your FAFSA is completed and processed, you will receive an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. This number can range from zero to the full price of tuition, and will be used by colleges to determine your financial aid package. The specific money that you receive will be different for each college, and can be found in your new student portal starting in March-April.