Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in the financial aid process. The FAFSA is used by the Department of Education to determine your eligibility for all federal student financial aid such as grants, federal student loans and work-study.
Tip: FAFSA on the Web has built-in help to guide you through the application.
The application results are shared with the school(s) you list on your FAFSA and the schools use these results to determine the amount of financial aid that you are eligible to receive. Many states and schools also use the FAFSA information to determine other nonfederal aid, so it is to your advantage to complete this form and get it submitted.
You can complete the FAFSA either online or on paper. Applying online is usually faster and easier. In fact, over 90 percent of FAFSA applications are submitted electronically. If you don’t have access to a computer at home, you can usually find Internet access at your local library, high school or a financial aid office at a nearby campus.
Whatever you do, don’t let the paperwork (hard copy or online) stop you from taking that first step. Free help is available to walk you through the entire application!
Tip: Check with the financial aid administrator at the school(s) you are interested in attending to see if the school will assist you with your application.
Don’t get fooled into thinking you have to pay to submit your FAFSA!
Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free. Charging students and/or parents a fee for completing and/or submitting the FAFSA is prohibited by law. Take advantage of your local resources (high school guidance counselors, financial aid offices at local colleges and government publications) or review the numerous online resources that walk you through the entire form.
Sources of Information
- For information on any federal student financial aid program, call
the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at
(800) 4-FED-AID (433-3243) toll free
(800) 730-8913 (TTY) toll free for the hearing impaired - The Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Web site provides general information about federal student aid and access to many helpful publications: www.studentaid.ed.gov.
- If you have questions about the FAFSA on the Web or paper application process, online help is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Detailed instructions for completing the FAFSA can be accessed and downloaded at Completing the FAFSA07-08.
- The Student Aid Audio Guide is an audio recording available for visually impaired or blind students. This is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov/audioguide.
- College Goal Sunday is a free program that helps families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information on this program, visit http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org.