FAFSA

If you find FAFSA somewhat confusing, you’re not alone! We hope to answer your most frequently asked questions (FAQs) here.

WHAT

It’s a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — your ticket to every kind of financial aid, including scholarships, PELL grant as well as student loans.

WHY

There’s absolutely nothing to lose when you complete a FAFSA form, even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for any aid.

STUDENT AID INDEX

Student Aid Index , or SAI, which measures how much aid students can expect to receive, is replacing the legacy Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

WHEN

October 1 is the first day you can submit your FAFSA. The deadline is June 30 but may differ from state to state.

CHECKLIST

FAFSA is a lengthy form, and can be a confusing one — here’s a checklist of documents you’ll need to get you started.

FSA ID

FSA ID which serves as your electronic signature can be used each year to electronically apply or renew for federal student aid.

STATUS

Dependency status determines whose information you report on the FAFSA form and that may affect the amount of financial aid for which you’re eligible.

HOW

With its new “mobile-friendly” redesign, completing your FAFSA at StudentAid.gov is now much easier and more efficient than ever.

AFTER

After completing the FAFSA, you will receive your FAFSA Submission Summary, which details your basic eligibility for federal financial aid.

RENEWAL

Should I renew or start a new FAFSA? Filing a renewal takes less time than it would normally take. If you prefer, you can start a new FAFSA.

VERIFICATION

If you were chosen for verification, don’t panic! It is a normal part of the process used to ensure that certain FAFSA information is accurate.

CORRECTION

Incorrect FAFSA can impact your financial aid eligibility. To make FAFSA corrections, use one of the methods described here.