APPLYING
1. What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid application process. You use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as grants, loans, and work-study funds.
You can electronically access the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov. You can also submit a paper FAFSA.
2. Why complete a FAFSA?
The only way to find out if you qualify for federal student loans and for “free money” awards - like federal and state grants and scholarships, is to complete and submit a FAFSA.
The U.S. Department of Education uses the information provided on your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for aid from the federal student financial assistance programs. Many states and schools also use the FAFSA data to award student aid. There is no charge to complete and submit a FAFSA, whether you file electronically or choose to send a paper FAFSA form.
3. Where can I obtain the FAFSA?
The electronic version can be accessed at fafsa.ed.gov. You may request a paper FAFSA by calling the U.S. Department of Education at 800.433.3243.
4. What are the deadlines for applying?
You must complete a new FAFSA form each year. Apply as early as possible after January 1 of the calendar year in which you plan to attend college. Deadlines for aid from your state (Florida May 15), from your school, and from private sources may be much earlier than deadlines for federal aid. To ensure that the financial aid package that you receive from the school(s) you select contains aid from as many sources as possible, apply as soon as you can after January 1.
5. What do you need to complete your FAFSA?
- Your Social Security Number
- Your driver’s license number, if you have one
- Your W-2 forms
- Your federal income tax return
- Your current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments
- Your records of other untaxed income received, such as Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or veteran’s benefits
- Your business or farm records, if applicable
- Your alien registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
If you are a dependent student, you will also need:
- The Social Security Number(s) of your parent(s)
- The income and financial records (as listed above) of your parent(s)
Use prior year’s income tax information to complete the FAFSA. If you have not completed your taxes, use estimated figures so you don’t miss a filing deadline. You can correct with actual data later.
6. Who can help me fill out the FAFSA?
Your high school counselor can provide assistance. You can also get toll-free help by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at the following telephone number: 800.4.FED-AID (800.433.3243)
7. Why fill out the FAFSA online?
- FAFSA on the Web has built-in help to guide you through the application process.
- The schools you list on your FAFSA online application will receive your processed information faster.
8. What is a PIN and why do I need one?
The PIN is your Personal Identification Number and serves as your electronic signature which allows access to your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems, such as the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This number does not change. Each year that you apply for financial aid, you can use your PIN to access and electronically sign your FAFSA. To obtain a PIN, you can apply at the U.S. Department of Education’s PIN site, pin.ed.gov. If you are a dependent student, both you and one parent must obtain a PIN.
9. What happens after I file the FAFSA?
About two days after you apply online, or two weeks after you submit a paper FAFSA, the federal government will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR), or provide you with access to your electronic SAR. The SAR will inform you and the schools to which you are applying of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC formula established by law is used to determine the amount of federal grants, loans, or work-study awards for which you are eligible. Review the SAR carefully to make sure that all of the information is correct. If you must make changes, submit corrections promptly. If no corrections are needed, you do not have to return the form.
