What Is a FAFSA and How Do You Apply for One?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the primary application for students seeking financial assistance for higher education. It provides access to various forms of federal, state, and institutional aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans. Completing the FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for these resources, making college or career school more accessible.

Eligibility for Federal Student Aid

To qualify for federal student aid, applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number. They must be enrolled or accepted into an eligible degree or certificate program at a participating institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Applicants must have a high school diploma or a state-recognized equivalent, such as a GED certificate. Students must not be in default on any federal student loans or owe money on a federal grant. Selective Service registration is no longer a condition for federal student aid eligibility starting with the 2025-26 award year.

Preparing Your FAFSA Information

Before beginning the FAFSA, gather specific documents and financial information. Applicants need their Social Security number, and if dependent, their parents’ Social Security numbers. Driver’s license information, if applicable, is also useful to have on hand. Federal tax returns from the “prior-prior year” are required; for example, the 2023 tax information is used for the 2025-26 FAFSA. This includes W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and Form 1040. Records of untaxed income, such as child support received or veterans’ non-education benefits, must be reported. Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts, along with records of investments and business assets, are necessary to determine the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI, which replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), reflects a family’s financial capacity to contribute towards education costs.

Submitting Your FAFSA

After organizing all necessary information, complete and submit the FAFSA online. A Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) is required for the student and any contributing parents, serving as an electronic signature and allowing access to federal student aid websites. Creating an FSA ID requires a Social Security number, though parents without one can still create an account. On the official StudentAid.gov website, applicants input their personal and financial data. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) allows direct transfer of federal tax information from the IRS into the FAFSA, simplifying data entry and enhancing accuracy. All required contributors must provide consent for this transfer to ensure federal aid eligibility. The application requires electronic signatures using the FSA ID before final submission. Students should include school codes for all institutions they wish to receive their FAFSA information, noting federal, state, and institutional deadlines.

Receiving Your Financial Aid Offer

After FAFSA submission and processing, applicants receive a FAFSA Submission Summary, which replaced the Student Aid Report (SAR). This summary provides an overview of the submitted FAFSA data, including the calculated Student Aid Index (SAI). Colleges use the SAI to determine a student’s eligibility for federal student aid. Colleges then use this FAFSA data to construct financial aid offers, outlining the types and amounts of aid available. These offers may include grants, which do not need to be repaid, and scholarships. Federal student loans, which must be repaid with interest, and work-study programs, providing part-time employment opportunities, are also common aid components. Reviewing and comparing offers from different institutions is key to making informed decisions about college financing.