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.
BEFORE
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
Applying for FAFSA is about to get easier. For the first time, you can now complete the FAFSA form on a mobile device using the myStudentAid app.
AFTER
After completing the FAFSA, you will receive Student Aid Report (SAR) — a document that gives you basic information about your 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 below.