FAFSA: Financial Aid Resources & Common Questions
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to receive need-based financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans. Get to know the FAFSA, why every student needs to submit or renew it, and how it makes college more affordable for U.S. families.
FAFSA FAQ
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What is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
The FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a financial aid application used to determine your Student Aid Index (SAI) and estimate the amount of federal student aid you may be eligible for.
Students will first fill out the FAFSA during their senior year of high school and renew the FAFSA each subsequent year after they are enrolled in college and/or graduate school.
The FAFSA will ask for student financial information, family size, student's age, marital status and other demographic characteristics. All of the information given will be used to determine whether the applicant is an independent or dependent student. If a student is dependent, parent information will also be required on the FAFSA.
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Why should I fill out the FAFSA?
Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and gives you access to federal student financial aid to help pay for college, graduate, or career school. In addition, it can be used to apply for state and federal grants and for funding from most colleges and universities.
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Who needs to fill out the FAFSA?
High school seniors who plan to attend a postsecondary school after graduation and their parents must complete the FAFSA. If the student is a dependent, the application asks for financial information for both the student and the parents.
Current college students must renew their FAFSA each year of college. If the student is independent, the FAFSA asks for information only from the student. Married students will need to provide their spouse's financial information.
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What do I need to fill out the FAFSA?
Consider reviewing the latest U.S. Department of Education FAFSA worksheet to familiarize yourself with the requested data and the process. You’ll also want to know the schools you’re attending or may like to attend, note school codes, and have your FSA ID set up and ready to go.
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What is the FAFSA ID?
An FSA ID is a unique username and password used to sign in, confirm your identity, and electronically sign the FAFSA.
Students and parents must create separate FSA IDs; one family cannot share a single account. To set yours up, you will need your Social Security Number, cell phone number, and a personal email address. -
Where do I get the FAFSA worksheet, school code, and my FSA ID?
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How do I fill out the FAFSA?
Completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid online is the quickest and most accurate way to fill out or renew the form.
You can also choose to have the paper FAFSA mailed to you by calling the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). If you don't provide an email address, your FAFSA Submission Summary (which includes your SAI) will be mailed to you. -
Where can I find help to fill out the FAFSA?
Students and parents can also find helpful, step-by-step information at studentaid.gov or right here on Fastweb: FAFSA HELP
You may also find help in your local community. High school guidance counselors and college financial aid administrators can provide one-on-one assistance for students and parents as they navigate the FAFSA. Some regions also host in-person weeknights or weekend events where financial aid experts can answer questions and help families complete the FAFSA.
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When is the FAFSA due?
The FAFSA has a 21-month application cycle and can be submitted as late as June 30 of the academic year, or by the last day of classes if that falls first.
There are three FAFSA deadlines:
- School - Your school or college often sets its priority deadline for the FAFSA. Apply by your college's priority date to get the most aid possible
- State - Each state has its own FAFSA deadline, and state financial aid funds are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Find my FAFSA State Deadline.
- Federal - The Federal FAFSA Deadline is the final deadline. This deadline occurs on June 30 of the school year you're applying for. Federal student aid programs have limited funds, so strive to apply earlier than the June 30 deadline.
2027-28 FAFSA Expected to Open by October 1, 2026Students must submit this form to apply for federal financial aid that will be used during the July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028, timeframe. It's ideal to submit your FAFSA form as soon as you can! This will help you ensure you don't miss out on aid options.
No Prior Registration (AKA: FAFSA ID) Required for Contributors/Parents/Guardians:To reduce barriers, contributors are no longer required to be registered on StudentAid.gov before being invited. Students can now invite parents or guardians to contribute to the form by simply entering their email address.
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What should I do after I submit the FAFSA?
Some states and colleges require additional financial aid information. Check with the state or college to see if that's the case. If so, complete those forms just after the FAFSA.
Once the FAFSA has been processed, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to access an online copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary. This summary highlights your eligibility for federal student aid. It will include the answers that you submitted on your FAFSA form (except for any federal tax information that was transferred directly from the IRS), your Student Aid Index (SAI), and an estimate of the amount of federal student aid that you may be eligible for.
Colleges' financial aid offices will look at your Student Aid Index (SAI) and provide you with a personalized financial aid package. The financial aid package may contain grants, work-study, or student loans.
You and your parents/guardians must decide which parts of the financial aid package to accept and decline. Students can also negotiate their financial aid package with the school through appeals if they feel it needs to be revised to help cover total college costs.
Finally, students should remember that the FAFSA must be filed every year to qualify for financial aid. Filling out the application will be much easier in subsequent years, as only a FAFSA renewal is required.
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