By now you’ve probably heard the word FAFSA more times than you can count — but do you really know what it’s all about? We’re here to help!
What does FAFSA stand for?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Who should fill out the FAFSA?
You! If you want to go to college and have a chance at securing financial aid to help pay for college, you will need to fill out the FAFSA.
What kind of assistance will I receive?
The FAFSA helps determine your eligibility for federal grants, loans and work-study.
When is the FAFSA due?
You can apply online at fafsa.gov from January to June.
What information will I need?
You will need to provide your social security number, driver’s license information and your (and your parents’) federal income tax return.
How will colleges receive my FAFSA information?
On the application you will be asked to list the colleges you are applying to. Once your FAFSA is submitted, those colleges will receive a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR), which you will also receive by email or snail mail.
What information is included in the SAR?
Your SAR will include your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the amount you can expect to pay out of pocket. Colleges use this information to determine the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive.
How will I know what to do next?
If your FAFSA includes any errors or is missing any information, your SAR will note anything that needs to be resolved. You can make changes to your FAFSA online (www.fafsa.gov).
Once your FAFSA is complete, you are done for the year! However, you will need to fill out the FAFSA each year you attend college to continue receiving aid.
For more information, visit www.fafsa.gov.