FAFSA Application Guide
Everything you need to know to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
On This Page
- What is the FAFSA?
- Who Should Apply?
- Before You Start: Documents You'll Need
- Step 1: Create Your FSA ID
- Step 2: Start Your Application
- Step 3: Student Information
- Step 4: Dependency Status
- Step 5: Parent Information (If Dependent)
- Step 6: Financial Information
- Step 7: Select Your Schools
- Step 8: Sign and Submit
- What Happens After You Submit
- Special Circumstances
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to federal financial aid for college. Completing the FAFSA is required to be considered for:
- Federal Pell Grants — Up to $7,395 for 2024-25 (no repayment required)
- Federal Student Loans — Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Work-Study — Part-time employment while enrolled
- State Grants — Many states use FAFSA data for their own aid programs
- Institutional Aid — Many colleges require the FAFSA for their own scholarships and grants
The FAFSA collects information about your family's finances to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI), formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Schools use this number to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive.
Who Should Apply?
Almost everyone should complete the FAFSA. Even if you think your family earns too much to qualify for need-based aid, filing the FAFSA is still worthwhile because:
- You may qualify for unsubsidized federal loans regardless of income
- Many merit-based scholarships require a FAFSA on file
- Your financial situation may change during the school year
- Some state aid programs have different eligibility criteria than federal programs
Eligibility Requirements
To receive federal student aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, have a valid Social Security number, be enrolled or accepted in an eligible degree or certificate program, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Male students must be registered with Selective Service if required.
Before You Start: Documents You'll Need
Gathering these documents before you begin will make the process much faster:
Student Documents
- ✓ Social Security number
- ✓ Driver's license number (if you have one)
- ✓ Federal tax returns from 2 years prior
- ✓ W-2 forms and other income records
- ✓ Bank statements and investment records
- ✓ Records of untaxed income
- ✓ Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen)
Parent Documents (If Dependent)
- ✓ Social Security numbers for both parents
- ✓ Federal tax returns from 2 years prior
- ✓ W-2 forms and other income records
- ✓ Bank statements and investment records
- ✓ Business or farm records (if applicable)
- ✓ Records of child support paid or received
Pro Tip: Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
The FAFSA allows you to import tax information directly from the IRS, which saves time and reduces errors. This option is available for most applicants who have already filed their federal tax returns.
Step 1: Create Your FSA ID
Before you can complete the FAFSA, you need an FSA ID — a username and password that serves as your legal signature. If you're a dependent student, your parent will also need their own FSA ID.
To Create Your FSA ID:
- Go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account
- Enter your Social Security number, name, and date of birth
- Create a username and password
- Provide your email address and mobile phone number
- Answer challenge questions for account recovery
- Agree to the terms and conditions
- Verify your email address
Important
Each person must create their own FSA ID using their own email address. Parents and students cannot share an FSA ID. Creating an FSA ID for someone else is a federal crime.
Step 2: Start Your Application
- Go to studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- Log in with your FSA ID
- Select "Start New FAFSA" or "Renew FAFSA" if you filed last year
- Select the correct academic year (the year you'll be attending school)
Renewal Applicants
If you filed the FAFSA last year, you can select "Renew FAFSA" to pre-populate much of your information. However, you'll still need to update your financial information and school selections.
Step 3: Student Information
In this section, you'll provide basic information about yourself:
- Personal Information: Name, Social Security number, date of birth, contact information
- Citizenship Status: U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or neither
- Marital Status: As of the date you sign the FAFSA
- High School Completion: Diploma, GED, or homeschool status
- Grade Level: Your expected grade level for the upcoming school year
- Degree/Certificate: What type of degree you're pursuing
Name Matching
Your name must match exactly what's on your Social Security card. If there's a mismatch, your FAFSA may be rejected or delayed.
Step 4: Dependency Status
The FAFSA will ask a series of questions to determine if you're a dependent or independent student. This is not based on whether your parents claim you on their taxes — it's based on specific federal criteria.
You're Automatically Independent If You:
- ✓ Are 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year
- ✓ Are married or separated (but not divorced)
- ✓ Are enrolled in a master's or doctoral program
- ✓ Are a veteran or currently serving on active duty
- ✓ Have legal dependents other than a spouse
- ✓ Were an orphan, ward of the court, or in foster care at age 13 or older
- ✓ Are an emancipated minor or homeless/at risk of homelessness
If none of these apply, you're considered a dependent student and must provide parent information, even if you don't live with your parents or they don't support you financially.
Step 5: Parent Information (If Dependent)
If you're a dependent student, you'll need to provide information about your parent(s). The FAFSA defines "parent" based on your living situation:
| Your Situation | Whose Information to Report |
|---|---|
| Married parents living together | Both parents |
| Divorced/separated parents | The parent you lived with more in the past 12 months |
| Single parent remarried | Your parent and stepparent |
| Unmarried parents living together | Both parents |
| Equal time with divorced parents | The parent who provided more financial support |
Your parent will need to log in with their own FSA ID to complete their portion of the FAFSA and sign the application.
Step 6: Financial Information
The FAFSA uses "prior-prior year" tax information. For example, if you're applying for the 2025-26 school year, you'll report 2023 tax information.
Income Information
- Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
- Income tax paid
- Wages, salaries, and tips
- Untaxed income (child support, housing allowances, etc.)
- Education credits
- IRA deductions and payments
Asset Information
- Cash and savings accounts
- Checking account balances
- Investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
- Real estate (not your primary home)
- Business and farm assets
- 529 plan balances
What's NOT Counted as Assets
Your primary home, retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension plans), the cash value of life insurance, and ABLE accounts are not reported on the FAFSA.
Step 7: Select Your Schools
You can list up to 20 schools on your FAFSA. Each school will receive your FAFSA information and use it to create a financial aid package for you.
- Search for schools by name or use their Federal School Code
- Add all schools you're considering — there's no penalty for listing more schools
- You can add, remove, or change schools after submitting
- Schools cannot see what other schools are on your list
State Aid Consideration
Some states provide aid only to students attending in-state schools, or prioritize based on the order schools are listed. Check your state's requirements at FAFSA Deadlines.
Step 8: Sign and Submit
Before submitting, review all information carefully. Both the student and one parent (for dependent students) must sign the FAFSA using their FSA IDs.
Signing Process:
- The student signs first using their FSA ID
- If dependent, the parent signs using their FSA ID
- Both parties can sign at different times — the FAFSA saves your progress
- The application is not submitted until both required signatures are complete
After submitting, you'll see a confirmation page. Save or print this page for your records. You'll also receive a confirmation email.
What Happens After You Submit
Processing (1-3 Days)
Your FAFSA is processed by the Department of Education. Most applications are processed within 3-5 days for online submissions.
FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)
You'll receive an FSS (formerly called SAR) with your Student Aid Index (SAI). Review it for accuracy and make corrections if needed.
Schools Receive Your Information
Your selected schools receive your FAFSA data and begin preparing financial aid offers.
Financial Aid Award Letters
Schools will send you financial aid award letters. Timing varies by school — some send awards within weeks, others not until spring.
Accept Your Aid
Review offers carefully, comparing net costs. Accept the aid you want and decline what you don't need (you can accept grants but decline loans, for example).
Special Circumstances
Income Changed Significantly
If your family's income has dropped due to job loss, death, or other circumstances since the tax year reported, contact the financial aid office at your school(s). They can perform a "professional judgment" to adjust your aid based on current circumstances.
Parents Won't Provide Information
If you're a dependent student and your parents refuse to provide information, you can still submit the FAFSA. You'll only be eligible for unsubsidized loans, but schools may be able to help in documented cases of estrangement or abuse.
Homeless or Unaccompanied Youth
If you're homeless or at risk of homelessness, you may qualify as an independent student. Your high school counselor, homeless shelter director, or financial aid administrator can verify your status.
Unusual Family Situations
Divorced parents, incarcerated parents, undocumented parents, or other complex family situations each have specific guidance. The FAFSA help resources and your school's financial aid office can provide assistance.
Ready to Get Started?
The sooner you file, the better your chances of receiving the maximum aid available. Many state and institutional programs are first-come, first-served.