This page contains very important information about Financial Aid which will assist you with Paying for School.
What is Financial Aid?
Financial Aid is money that helps students pay for their education.
Financial Aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation.
This website gives a more broader definition of what Financial Aid is and consists of: Collegeboard.org
What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. High school seniors & parents, this FAFSA Application is an online application that is completed every year to seek help from the federal government and the college or career school you plan to attend with paying for your education from that school. Schools use FAFSA to determine what financial aid is available to assist students with their tuition and other expenses in the form of Grants, Scholarships, Work-Study Jobs, and Federal Student Loans. FAFSA is the first step in applying for this Financial Aid. All students that are planning to attend a college or Career School after graduation should complete the FAFSA Application. It does not matter what your parents income level is.
It does not matter what school or type of school you plan to attend or how much money your parents make, the majority of schools will want you to complete the FAFSA Application to help determine what type of Financial Aid you will need.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA Application) for SY 25-26 is open.
What is Needed to Complete the FAFSA?
When you are ready to complete the FAFSA Application, make sure you have easy access to these things:
our Social Security Number
Your A-Number (if you're not a U.S. citizen)
Federal income tax returns; records of child support received; and your current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts (Note: You must provide consent and approval to disclose your federal tax information to be eligible for federal student aid.)
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
An FSA ID (account username and password) to file your FAFSA Application electronically and to access other Financial Aid websites.
Creating your FSA ID and Completing the FAFSA:
Log onto the FAFSA Website below, click Get Started to create your FAFSA ID, if you don't have one.
Creating a FSA ID - This will create a username and password in order for you to access, save and electronically sign your FAFSA documents.
One or in some cases both of your parents will need to create their own FSA ID as well in order to sign your FAFSA Application.
Start filling out the FAFSA Application (under Resources below is a step by step FAFSA Worksheet).
Sign the FAFSA Application
You and your parents will sign the FAFSA Application online using your FSA IDs.
4. Submit the FAFSA Application
Your FAFSA results will now be sent to the colleges and schools that you asked FAFSA to send it to.
What will happens once you have submitted the FAFSA?
The College or Schools will determine your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is an eligibility index number that a college’s or career school’s financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid you would receive if you attended the school. This number results from the information that you provide in your FAFSA Application.
The SAI is not a dollar amount of aid eligibility or what your family is expected to provide.
Your SAI or Family Contribution will also be calculated
The financial aid office at each of the colleges or schools will determine your cost of attendance. They will then determine, based on your families SAI number, how much need-based or non-need based aid you qualify for.
Each school will provide the student with an award letter informing them and breaking down the cost of attendance and what aid through scholarships, grants, work study, etc. you will receive.
If you have questions or need help completing your FAFSA, below are a few resources:
Arizona FAFSA hotline: 1-833-293-2372
College Depot through the Phoenix Public Library
FAFSA Worksheet (step by step FAFSA Worksheet, produced by Going Merry)
Never Ever Pay Anyone to Complete the FAFSA Application for you