FAFSA
FAFSA FAQ
What is FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as the FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students (undergraduate and graduate) in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid (including the Pell Grant, Federal student loans and Federal Work-Study).
Where do I find this form?
The FAFSA is available online at FAFSA on the Web.
You can download a paper copy at www.studentaid.ed.gov/PDFfafsa or call 800-4-FED-AID (433-3243).
What do I need to fill this form out?
- If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create an FSA ID. The FSA ID, which consists of a user-created username and password, replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN effective May 2015.
- Your Social Security Number
- Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
- Your most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
- Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
- Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
- You will also need most of the above information for your parent(s)
Do I have to have an FSA ID?
- While you are not required to have an FSA ID to complete and submit a FAFSA on the Web application, it is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed. It is also the only way to access or correct your information online, or to pre-fill a FAFSA on the Web application with information from your previous year’s FAFSA.
- The FSA ID allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access Federal Student Aid Web sites. It allows users to electronically access personal information on Federal Student Aid Web sites as well as electronically sign a FAFSA.
- If you have an FSA ID but do not remember your username, click Forgot Username.
- If you have an FSA ID but do not remember your password, click Forgot Password.
My parents won't fill out FAFSA. What do I do?
This is an excellent article that explains all the different circumstances in which parents can't or won't pay for college. You should find some help here: